Brenna turns "20"

Today was Brennas 20th Birthday.

She took the day off work and enjoyed a leisure day at home. Kirby, her BF, was down for the afternoon and we had supper together.

Here she is looking at the manual for her new digital camera.

Who's taking a picture of who??????

Making a wish and blowing out the candles.

Movie Night

This evening Emma nd I went to see "Julie and Julia." What a refreshing and delightful movie. The movie finished after 2 hours and I was still wanting more..........very enjoyable.

Paul went to see "District 9" and said it was something I wouldn't like and it was on the disturbing side.

Brenna was out with girlfriends.....they took her out for supper to celebrate her birthday.

Another Great Pool Day

Emma and Jack were at the sand sculpting contest at New River Beach yesterday. They were entered in the group catergory and did Jabba the Hutt and Princess Leia. They camped overnight with friends.

Today they were glad to be in the pool where the water wasn't ice cold.....the pool temp is 82F.

Brenna had her freind, Alea. We had hauled out the boat for the boys yesterday and Brenna was using it again today.....just like the old days.

Saturday - Pool Day

Saturday afternoon, Peter and family joined us for a swim and supper.

We managed to find a life ring, and Isaac was able to swim on his own.

Sasha enjoying the pool.

Isaac trying out the goggles.

The boys having fun!

Sasha before he discovered how fun the water could be.

Sasha not to sure of things.

Brenna and I cooling off.

Yesterday afternoon at 3:00pm the house temperature was 29C, in the shade outside it was 32C and in the sun it was 41C.

Stittsville Woman (my sister) Can Count on Lance Armstrong to Support Fundraiser

It's small, neon yellow and has travelled the European countryside on Lance Armstrong's lower back.
And today, it will arrive in Anne Paliwal's mailbox.
"I'm just waiting with bated breath," said an excited Ms. Paliwal yesterday from her Ottawa home.
The package Ms. Paliwal has so eagerly anticipated won't be hers to keep: an autographed race number worn by Lance Armstrong during this year's Tour de France, soon to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The race number was donated by the 37-year-old Texan to help raise money for five cyclists injured last month in a horrific hit-and-run. The group was on an early-morning ride along Ottawa's March Road when a van plowed into them, sending all five to hospital with serious injuries.
Mr. Armstrong was moved by the tragedy, which he learned of almost instantly via social networking sites, said close friend and manager Mark Higgins.
Two days later, the champion cyclist spoke about the incident in a video message from Switzerland.
"I hope everybody there is doing well and we're all thinking about you," he said at the time, dedicating his ride on the 16th stage of the Tour through the Swiss Alps to the cyclists.
Ms. Paliwal was also deeply affected. An avid runner, she frequents the road where the cyclists were run down.
When she heard about the auction, Ms. Paliwal decided to help solicit donations. After seeing Mr. Armstrong's video message, she thought to herself, "Gee, I wonder if he'd donate something."
Ms. Paliwal fired off a message to an e-mail address on Mr. Armstrong's website, not really expecting a response.
But two days later, she got one. It was a note from Mr. Higgins, saying Mr. Armstrong "would love to include something" for the auction.
"I yelled and I screamed and went, 'Oh my gosh!' " Ms. Paliwal said. "I almost fell off my chair."
Mr. Higgins said the seven-time tour winner jumped at the opportunity to get involved with the auction.
He e-mailed Ms. Paliwal's request to Mr. Armstrong, who was in Aspen, Colo., preparing for the Leadville 100, a 100-mile mountain bike race taking place this Saturday.
"He immediately wrote me back and said, 'For sure, what should we send?' " Mr. Higgins said yesterday.
"I said, 'You still have the Tour stuff,' and he goes, 'For sure, let's send one of the numbers.' "
Mr. Higgins said Mr. Armstrong keeps his numbers from each stage, usually tucking them into his "race bible," a book of maps and directions distributed to all Tour de France competitors.
The numbers have adhesive on the back and Mr. Armstrong usually sticks them onto the page corresponding to the leg he has just raced, Mr. Higgins said. The donated number was torn from a page in this year's race bible.
The number will be auctioned off at a fundraising dinner on Aug. 17, along with about 70 other items, including bicycles, books and a print signed by sprinter Donovan Bailey and his gold medalist 4x100 teammates from the 1996 Olympic Games.
Two of the injured cyclists will attend the auction, said organizer Phil Marsh.
He originally expected to raise about $4,000 but now thinks donations could top $10,000, thanks to marquee items such as the Armstrong number. Proceeds will go toward replacing the smashed bicycles and helping pay for the cyclists' medical care.
Ms. Paliwal thinks people will be eager to bid on the Armstrong number, and is considering setting up an online bidding system for people outside Ottawa.
But as excited as she is about Mr. Armstrong's involvement, she doesn't want his star power to outshine the reason for the fundraiser.
"I don't want this to take away the meaning in this," Ms. Paliwal said. "I know this is Lance Armstrong, but this is really for the five cyclists."

Running Room Holding Fundraiser for Ottawa Injured Cyclists

An Ottawa resident is holding a fundraiser next month to help the five cyclists who were struck in a hit-and-run on a suburban road in the city's west end.
Phil Marsh, regional manager of the Running Room store, said he's organizing a pasta dinner and silent auction at a pub in the Glebe district to raise money to help the cyclists either buy new equipment or pay for their rehabilitation.
"It's such an interwoven community in Ottawa, and everybody knows somebody that knows somebody," said Marsh.
"A couple of my friends end up knowing a couple of the cyclists. It gives you pause for thought."
The five cyclists were riding along a stretch of March Road on July 19 when they were struck by a vehicle near Solandt Road, shortly before 8 a.m.
All of the cyclists, who range in age from 27 to 45, were sent to hospital, where four are still receiving treatment.
Robert Wein, 39, remains in critical condition and has yet to regain consciousness.
Marsh said hearing the news of the collision was difficult for people who use that stretch of road.
"A lot of the folks that we know from running and triathlon and stuff, they're out riding two, three times a week on a regular basis," said Marsh, who also cycles.
"You know, you have a few close calls every now and again, but something like this really shakes you up."
Sommit Luangpakham, 45, has been charged with five counts of failing to stop at the scene of a collision. He is out on bail.
The fundraiser is to take place on Aug. 17 at the Arrow and Loon pub on Fifth Avenue.

Last Days of Vacation

Thursday and Friday I spent at Mom and Dad's doing outdoor painting. The weather

co-operated and I managed to get it all done. The back deck needed painting and a decision was made to cover the green and go with the most common color around the house.....brown. We went through 1.5 gallons of brown paint. A half pint of black was used to paint both sets of stairs going into the house. All in all it was a very productive 2 days of work and I able to visit with Mom and Dad.......something we don't do enough of.

My last weekend of vacation was a combination of work and relaxation. Sunday Paul and I spent approx. 3 hours trimming trees.....a big job done! It was a beautiful weekend and both afternoons we spent on the deck and in the pool.

My vacation wasn't one of travelling, shopping or eating out much, but instead I managed to get jobs done around the house that I just don't have the energy to do after a day of work and I also was able to enjoy my little piece of paradise........my home......with it's quiet, it's privacy, and the pool.