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Homeward Bound

Our scribbles friends are really coming and going these days...a sure sign we're smack dab in the middle of another adventureous Summer. My sister Jane Storie and her boyfriend Ken Clark are enjoying a few relaxing days in Niagara Falls (I'm babysitting their son Graham), our pal Becky Lee is chiilin' at her cottage and my buddy Doug MacNeil and his son Drew have just embarked on a 2 week road trip to Newfoundland.

Meanwhile, the party's coming to an end for my cousins Megan Fox and her insane mom Jeanne Prince. They spent the past week getting reaquainted with friends in Niagara and fortunately that included a stop at my place.

Rob's surgery had not happened yet, so he was able to join us, as we enjoyed dinner at Swiss Chalet and then a visit with my mom. Later we returned to my apartment for drinks and a great visit. Megan had recently put together two amazing slideshows; one for her Uncle Bob, in celebration of his 50th birthday and the other for Jeanne as a very special Mother's Day gift. There were quite a lot of great old photos in those well-designed slideshows.  

The groovy twosome returned to Renfrew on Saturday, a bittersweet trip I'm sure, but one filled with more amazing memories of a great week in St Catrharines, the city they once lived in.

Our Deepest Sympathy to Ginger Blythin on the loss of her Mother

Scribbles sends our condolences to Ginger Blythin and her family on the passing of her mother Irene Miller.

Here is Irene's obituary as seen in the Niagara Falls Review:

MILLER, Irene - Passed away peacefully at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Sunday July 10, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Richard Miller (April 1998). Dearly loved mother of Ginger Blythin (Neil), Dave Miller and Stephanie Miller all of Niagara Falls. Cherished Mama mai of William, and Keira Blythin. Mrs. Miller was a long time Parishioner of St. Thomas More Church and a member of the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society. She will be sadly missed by her many close friends.... In memory of Mrs. Miller, donations the Mission of Mercy Canada would be appreciated by her family. On-line condolences at http://www.pattersonfuneralhome.com/  10331424

Tim McGraw Continues Tour Despite Broken Foot

by Phyllis Stark @ one country

When Tim McGraw hit the stage in Raleigh, N.C., July 8th, he was sporting a couple of brand new accessories—a leg cast and a cane!

The singer has broken his foot. And while the origin of the injury has not been explained, McGraw’s reps took to Twitter several times the next day to post pictures of McGraw and his foot, along with this message from the country star: “Football, baseball, car wrecks, bar fights, high school rodeo . . . and this is the first broken bone I’ve ever had!”

Also on Saturday, McGraw’s reps tweeted this message: “Tim wants to thank his fans for their support at his show in Raleigh last night. For the first time in his career, he performed in a cast (due to a broken foot), and experienced a momentary pacing setback. He looks forward to the rest of this summer’s Emotional Traffic Tour.”

The tour has 15 more dates before wrapping up on Aug. 13th.

And while my "fantasy" boyfriend Tim McGraw has been hobbling along the tour circuit, check out what my "real-life" boyfriend Rob has been up to...

A Nose Job for Rob!

Everyone's quite used to seeing my partner Rob Proulx wearing a great big smile. But that trademark was missing after he had surgery to correct a collapsed nostril. Because one of his nostrils closed up inside, it made him snore. The procedure he had opened the passageway and hopefully means the end of his sleep apnea and loud ZZZZ's.

This also means we will no longer need to draw straws to see whose turn it is to sleep on the sofa each night. That alone makes it worth the pain -well for me at least, but then it wasn't my nose that was just operated on.

Under the big gauze bandage he's sporting in the "after" photo was a well-packed nose and it was a bit "nasty" when we returned the next day to have that stuff removed. 

Rob has a new type of bandage that ties around his head and soon he will only need to wear it when sleeping. He will be off work for a while and I am trying my best to nurse him back to good health to see that big bright smile back on his face where it belongs.

Gee this sucks!  Both my "boys" are hurting at the same time. A speedy recovery to Tim and Rob...ESPECIALLY YOU, BABE!

"Oh no, don't tell me

you have to nurse both of them!!!!!"

Pat Fenerty -Welland, ON

[KEN's REPLY: That's the cross I bear. Happily serving one sick cowboy at a time : ) ]

"Knowing you are the nurse for both ..picked a good one

Tim will recover fine n you have done a great job on Rob..:)"

Merry Proulx -Welland, ON

[KEN's REPLY: Thanks "Mother-in-Law" I'm trying my best]

"Art Camp" Masterpiece

by Payton Dickie

 Port Colborne, ON

I didn't know whether to put this one under "Big Shots" or "Fact or Fiction". Both seem quite appropriate in this case. This work of art is the masterpiece of Payton Dickie of Port Colborne...and would you believe she is only 7 years old??!!  Our pal Tricia posted her daughter's artwork on facebook -my favourite source for great reader's pix -and this one is certainly a beauty.

I wasn't the only one impressed by young Payton's talents. Trish had numerous comments from her facebook friends saying how impressed they were with Payton's painting. Looks like you may just have a budding artist in the making Tricia. You and Jeremy must be so proud.

A Very Grand Reunion

We told you it was coming for several weeks. Ginny Eckert and her partner Mickey (Michelle) Bertrand's Family Reunion was July 9th and you couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate. Held at Burgoying Woods Park located in the heart of St Catharines, Ginny and Mickey were joined by family and friends who hadn't seen the happy couple since they left Niagara to live in Winnipeg a few years ago.

There were other people at Burgoying Woods also enjoying the beautiful day and there was enough food at the Eckert/Bertrand Reunion to feed the entire park! The Eckert clan gathered in one area while the Bertrands kept to another. But everyone joined together when one of Mickey's relatives drove in with a sporty car -a shiny purple Challenger. Even I was impressed by the hot wheels.

The saga of how I met Ginny reads like the storyline from a soap opera. We first met when we both worked at a dining lounge/bar called William J's. I bartended and Ginny worked in the kitchen [see photos to the left] Ginny's handsome boyfriend would stop by to pick her up after work and I took a shining to him. Turns out he felt the same way towards me. Ginny and her boyfriend separated and he moved in with me! Things didn't quite work out as we had hoped and we split up, but remained good friends. After "my" boyfriend moved out, Ginny moved in. We became roommates and moved to another home with more space and a big backyard. Ideal for our many pets, including the infamous cocker spaniel Poppy, Ginny remained my roomie until I started dating someone else (yes, it was Glenn). He stayed and Ginny left.

Eventually Ginny met up with Mickey. Once upon a time, Mickey lived in St Catharines but had moved to Winnipeg where she had a good job and happy life. But something was missing and that turned out to be Ginny. Mickey returned to Winnipeg and the girls tried a long-distance relationship. But their love was too strong for them to be that far apart and soon Ginny announced that she and her three kids Rebekah, Nathaniel and Dale (seen in photo to the right) would leave Niagara to live with Mickey in Manitoba.

While everyone was happy for the lovestruck twosome, we also missed our pal Ginny terribly. When the couple announced they were hosting a family reunion this Summer, many people were thrilled. No wonder the big day was such a success, it gave everyone an opportunity to reunite with Ginny, Mickey, the kids and everyone else.

When Ginny and I were roommates, we had nicknames for each other. She was Big Bird and I was her invisible friend Snuffie (the popular Sesame Street characters, in case you've been secluded in a cave for the past few decades) With this in mind, I created stand-up cards for the reunion, with Snuffie and Big Bird on them which we put on display on the never-ending tables of food.

Now that you have the history, it's time to take a look at the video clip I created after the celebration. Everyone's featured, including that spiffy purple car, Big Bird and Snuffie. Maybe it was because I wanted it to be perfect or maybe it was the happy tears I kept shedding while putting it together, but the clip that runs 1:34 minutes, actually took several hours to prepare.  It was worth every moist-eyed minute.

Mickey it was a pleasure to see you again. I remember when you lived in Niagara years ago, that little shy girl who'd come to Gustos for a drink or two. I'm so happy that you are with Ginny and the kids, you are such a loving, caring gal.

And Ginny, what can I say? Seeing you at the reunion brought back a flood of memories. We sure did have our share of adventures. It's not everyone who'd move in with the guy who took her boyfriend away and then go on to be the best of friends. But that's you Ginny! You are indeed one-of-a-kind and no matter how far away you now live, you will always be close to my heart and one of my greatest treasures!

Ginny was "Big Bird" and I was "Snuffie" when we were roommates.

Now here's our special:

 VIDEO CLIP  OF THE

ECKERT AND BERTRAND

 FAMILY REUNION

 View the photos used in this Video Clip

click here to link to album

Making Waves

Let's face it, there's adventures and then there's ADVENTURES!! Riding through the rapids of the Niagara River in a Jet Boat is definitely a big ADVENTURE and one that our Welland pal Rodney Denis and his wife Heather's nephews Adrian and Justin thoroughly enjoyed. Suited up in rain coats and life jackets, the boys joined others for a really big splash! Their faces say it all -they obviously loved it.

As exciting as it appears, you just couldn't pay me enough to take the plunge. Of course, the fact I can't swim could explain my reluctance, but I'll settle for a peaceful dip in the shallow end of my sister's pool over riding the rapids any day.   

Happiness is....Marineland

We're not sure if Kade Denis and his mommy Heather were at Marineland at the exact same time his daddy and friends were enjoying their ride on the jet boats (seen in the article above) but we do know they had a whale of a time at the popular Niagara Falls attraction. Kade and Heather were joined by his little sister Alina and another couple with their daughter and Heather told us on facebook everyone was exhausted after their big day. Happiness is...resting after a day at Marineland!

Pint-Sized Water Fan

Adorable little Kiera Blythin of Niagara Falls seems quite at home taking a dip in a refreshing pool. With a little help to keep her afloat and her big bright hat to keep the sun away, Kiera beats the Summer heat in style. Unlike our pals in the jet boat article seen above, THIS is way more my speed.  LOL!

 

 Tasty Treat and a Cool Tongue Too!

William Blythin discovered a bonus purple tongue after eating his Freezie treat. Although our friend Neil Blythin has giving me expressed rights,  I still like to let him know when I've seen another great shot and want to share it with our scribbles pals. 

I particularly like seeing William's mommy Ginger Blythin reacting to his adventure. Two excellent reactions on one magical photo.  Bonus!

William and Kiera are so amazing. Neil and Ginger you have much to be proud of...Good for you!!  Scribbles loves you and your offspring are indeed scribbles superstars...LOL

Dog Days of Summer

Doug and Heather MacNeil's canine companions Jack (seen above -top pic) and his "big sister" Sassy found ideal spots inside and out, to beat the heat. Jack chose the deck, where there was lots of shade and a gentle breeze while Sassy preferred the air conditioned comforts of the living room floor.

The dogs will get to spend plenty of time with Heather the next two weeks, as Doug and his son Andrew enjoy a much-deserved vacation in Newfoundland.

Incidentally, for inquiring minds, we can reveal that it is Doug and Heather's trailer which houses the unwanted birds we told you about last week.

Doug reminded me that I had made mention I wanted to feature the bird brained story in scribbles and he said it was fine -guess I must have forgotten when I kept their identity hidden -NOW who's the bird brain??  LOL

New DALLAS series coming 2012

Well hold on there for a Texas minute! Didn't I just feature an article all about how great TV's Dallas was? Now comes the big news that the show is coming back!! U.S. network TNT will debut the new version of Dallas in the Summer of 2012. We're not sure which Canadian network will buy the broadcast rights, but we're confident someone will.

Reprising their roles are Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing, Patrick Duffy as his brother Bobby and Linda Grey as his ex-wife Sue Ellen. The veterans will be joined by a cast of young newcombers including Jesse Metcalfe as Bobby's son Christopher and Josh Henderson as John-Ross.

To see the trailer, cast photos and behind-the-scenes click here to visit TNT's Official Dallas site.

 VIDEO CLIP

NEW DALLAS SERIES TRAILER:
NOTE: Poor video and audio quality
-turn speakers up or visit official website (link above) to view the trailer properly

Double Delight

Our wee Welland friend Alina Denis meets her new friend Natalia at a local park. Alina's mommy Heather said it was a good thing she carries extra headbands. A good thing indeed! For now we get two cuties for the price of one when viewing this awesome pix.

Bright Shiny Happy Couple

  
OOPS! We're a bit tardy with this one. Our friend Jenn Bering wed her sweetheart Sean Young on May 21st. The happy couple had a Country wedding at the Bering family home and from what I saw on facebook it was a day filled with many precious memories. 

We first met Jenn through her mother Connie, who I work with at Talk Wireless -well, when we're not on sick leave, that is. But sick leave or not Connie was there, along with relatives and friends as they officially welcomed Sean to their family.

Even Mother Nature was on board, with lots of sunshine for the Young's day of nuptials and celebration.

I'm sorry I didn't mention your big day sooner Jenn. I guess I should be snooping around my friends facebook pages a little more frequently.

Show Me the Money

A lost tooth is a golden opportunity when you're 6 years old. My nephew Graham sports an empty space where his tooth once was. The next day discovered the Tooth Fairy had secretly paid him an overnight visit, trading his tooth for money. Oh to be young again.