Tempus Fugit

Thanks to Bill over at kinnon.tv and his post on two shirts I end up reading…

A Life of Gifts | Pastoralia

I remember exactly when I first realized our fun little experiment had swerved completely out of my control: it was the day I learned someone had given away a grandmother.

which leads to reading….

About | TwoShirts.org

Our Vision

Twoshirts is a community of gift-giving where people freely give and receive all kinds of different things in our items listings, from appliances, to clothing, to help and services.

Twoshirts members have given away over 1000 items to each other since we started in January, 2008. We simply think generosity is a better way to live.

In fact, our vision is to connect the world in relationships of generosity.

which has me thinking about stuff, all the stuff we’ve accumulated and really don’t need and really can’t even figure out where to put the stuff half the time. I remember a time when Acts 2:44-45 had a big impact on me. Perhaps it’s time to do more and “give to each other”.

Fireworks-9
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

Happy New Years to one and all.

Last night we spent the evening with good friends over dinner and conversation with a little outing to the Forks to take in the fireworks. Even though it was not all that cold at -15° the walk back to the car was a little brutal in the light wind. We’d planned to play some games but after reviewing each other’s vacation pictures and watching the New Year festivities for a few minutes at midnight, it was suddenly 1:30am and we called it a night. Perhaps another evening for games.

This morning we’re easing into the day with a few coffees and brushing up on our Canasta skills for a card game tonight. Brushing up might be an over statement. The last time I played was at the lake as a kid and it will be a first for Shirley. Thanks to canasta.net and a little online playing we won’t be total rookies (I hope).

Time to dust off a few inches of snow from the truck and head out for a little breakfast adventure.

Shirley and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

With Shirley at home this year we seem to be more prepared than ever and by “we” I mean Shirley, she’s amazing! We have so much baking that it’s going to take some extra special restraint on my part not to gain 10lbs. Some traditions continue and some new ones are being built. Tonight we’re at church and volunteering. Afterwards it’s a traditional evening with good long time friends.

Christmas morning will just be Shirley and I for exchanging our gifts with each other over a leisurely cup of coffee followed by Eggs Benedict for breakfast. Eric, Dez, Scott & Mandi will join us later in the afternoon for Christmas Part 2 and a family dinner.
Enjoy the day with loved ones.

Here is a picture that brings back some memories.

It’s at the lake with the whole family, at least the whole family as back on August 5, 1993, things have changed over the years. My dad is taking the picture and my mom is on the left at the back. Gail & Gord with Ian and Craig and Shirley and I with Eric And Scott around the table. To me this picture symbolizes what the lake was all about for my parents, especially my dad. A place where the family could gather all together and share in the lake experience. I remember working with him as we built the cottage from plans that were slightly more that the back of a napkin, actually two fairly simple drawings. The design goal was always about having enough space so that everyone could be there at the same time.

Today, it’s rare that everyone is there at the same time. Distance, scheules, relationships and life seems a little more complicated than back in the day. Perhaps I was just more oblivious back them. Today, As I sit in the livingroom looking out at the snow and Christmas is approaching I can feel a whistful longing for the lake and the way things were. But, life moves forward, things change, and I need to adapt to the new realities. The lake will alway hold a very special place in my heart for the memories that were forged in that place with loved ones in my life. Change can never take that away.

Makes you wonder why we can’t learn some of these earlier in life. A good read, and worth re-reading from time to time (note to self).

Up a Tree
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

This is Eric. This is Eric up a tree, a 45′ tree, at the top of a 32′ ladder. It’s high, scary high especially when you’re reaching up to trim of those last few branches.

As were doing this, for some strange reason, the Monty Python Lumber jack song pops into my head. Anyway, we keep working and before long the tree is down, and we didn’t hit any wires of the neighbors fence and it’s all good. We even got some applause from a neighbor two houses down. I think he thought there was going to be an impending disaster when we cut off the top 12-15′.

I just couldn’t let this message evaporate off the BB. Thanks for sending it. I treasure it.

05/29/2008 6pm

It’s the day after the wedding and we’re taking it easy around the house. Gail and Gord are staying with us and we’re reflecting on yesterdays activities and catching up on family news over a couple of cups of coffee. After breakfast we head out to the lake. Gail and Gord are returning a rental car and heading out with the Bonniville so they can return on Wednesday.

We’re packing for vacation, so that takes the rest of the afternoon and we’re on the road at about 5:30pm. After unloading and a late evening snack at the cottage everyone is zapped and it’s early to bed. Looking forward to a relaxing couple of weeks.

The Rings by Big Dadoo
(More photos)

Friday July 11th, 2008 Scott and Mandi are married. The day was quite wonderful, the bride was radiant, lovely and always smiling and the groom was beaming with love for his bride. The weather cooperated and while it rained in the morning, it was dry for the photos and the sun came out just as Mandi came down the isle on top of the Winnipeg Art Gallery for the outdoor ceremony.

The reception and dinner downstairs was excellent and the live band rocked the house with something for everyone and really made for a great party atmosphere. I hope everyone had as much fun as I had, it was a great time and of course extra special for a parent.

After getting home we were too jazzed up to go to sleep so we stayed up and talked about the day. We are so proud of Scott and Mandi and love them so very much and it’s so wonderful to have another daughter in the family.

This day marks another stage in our life as well as theirs. Once again time seems to have flown by and the wedding that was a long way off has come and gone so quickly. Now it’s very official, it’s just Shirley and I at home now. Things are quieter, there is not early morning alarm going off or any late night arrivals, it’s just us. And we’re enjoying this phase of our journey on life’s highway as well.

Snowbirds over Kenora
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo
Photo by: Scott (s2photo)

I had a great weekend at the lake with Eric & Scott, just us guys. We had some good food, lots of R&R, some kayaking, some fireworks, more R&R (sleeping) and a quick look at the Snowbirds on the way home.