my family picture just changed

My grandfather's family Leclerc-LeClair is something of a mystery to me. He passed away when I was six and even though I remember him I don't know much about his family. It's basically just stuff that I've heard here and there. He had siblings but they never visited and the names, we're a bit unsure only one sister I can verify to date.

We come from an interesting line however. We are decedents of French colonists who settled in Prince Edward Island, Canada and are called Acadian's. The Leclerc's/LeClair's are one of several founding families.

Henry Benoit LeClair  & Mary Fenton LeClair
July 1921

Upon occasion I'll poke around on line to try to find information especially regarding his siblings. I know his parents names. The other day I found a message posted on a message board from a man named Raymond LeClair. As it turns out we're cousins probably 5or6 times removed who knows maybe more. Frankly I'm still trying to wade thru the generations of names, it's very confusing! He, coincidentally lived in Massachusetts as did my grandparents. They originally lived there when first emigrating to this fine country.

As I'm putting together what I know about our branch of the family and filling in the blanks for him about my fathers generation I though it would be fun to include some pictures to put a face to the names.

This all just goes perfectly with my crazy worry about all my photo's which was in my last post. I will not draw you a picture of me jumping out the window aflame but I think that post touched a nerve with many of you.

My friend Martha over at seaside simplicity has decided to do a weekly linky called Flashback Friday. She like so many of us has many many photo's and wonderful stories to tell. I think it's terrific that she's giving us the opportunity to do the same.

click here to join the fun

I'd like to encourage all of my readers to go into those files and bins, and join Martha ( you know I'll be there) for some fun and link up on Fridays. Lets see some of those old family treasures. I'm personally loving this picture. Nana who looks lovely and Popa who looks rather handsome French; doesn't he?

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I got space for Christmas...

I was thinking of posting something yesterday with some pictures but wouldn't you know it the amount of space that Picasa and Google Drive allows was at the limit; so my best intentions were thwarted until I was able to sit down and buy some more space for my photos. Buying space; what has this world come to? I can tell you there was no picture needed for this post. And for the space? A valid credit card :)

Is anyone else afraid that their photos will be off in the computer junkyard somewhere if they don't make sure that they're backed up and stored somewhere? I've lost enough stuff on a few computers that just up and died to have learned my lesson. As much taking pictures is easier since photography has gone digital and storing/organizing them is really rather more convenient I still like my real photos. I like the look, the smell and the feel of them in my hands. Or maybe it's just the memory they evoke, old times usually are good times.

I think my torn-ness (I just made up that word) between my digital photos and the printed ones sort of similar to the  feelings evoked when reading on a Kindle and reading a real book, totally different experience. When it comes down to it however I still have my huge blue bins full of our life in pictures currently located above the closet in the blue guest room upstairs. I haven't taken the time nor do I have the inclination to transfer them all to digital. Does anyone really do that to all their photos?

Bill, my husband always jokes with me that if this house ever caught fire (heaven forbid) he half expect to see me lit aflame jumping out the second floor window with those bins since they're the only things I think I'd save besides ourselves and the three cats.

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throwing a log on the tv while the music plays

I had my little yearly dinner party for my girlfriends last Friday night. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger each year, we're up to about a dozen girls this year, but hey the more the merrier! And I think I'm blessed to have such a great group of friends.  We ate, drank wine, ate some more and I even threw a log on the TV!! Seriously my husband got one of those fireplace DVD's for the TV since we have don't have a fireplace (we have a wood-stove). Anyway it really a gathering we all look forward to each and every year.

Non of us are immune to the pressures of the holidays so being able to just kick back with friends listen to some music take in the lights glistening on the tree, candles burning and drink in some genuine friendship is something really special. While doing this one of the girls (Claire) mentioned to me that she enjoyed the music selection I had playing on the stereo. I just have this and that on CD probably picked out of the sale bin at Walmart but I had to agree with her music really did and does play a big part in entertaining and what is Christmas without Christmas music?

My very favorite Christmas song is Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. It's rather a coincidence that one of my favorite Christmas movies is The Family Stone and there's actually a clip of Judy Garland singing the original version of this song years ago in that very movie.

I love love love this version by James Taylor. I grew up listening to him, his voice is so warm it feels like sunshine. And his version of this song; every time I hear him sing it I get all choked up; it's a happy-sad type of choked up. In any case I know there are tons of other great Christmas songs and I'm interested in hearing what you think are the good ones.

What's your favorite Christmas song? 

And do you prefer a particular artist singing it?

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Christmas is supposed to be joyful and holy!

My husband went into town today to do the banking today and to run a few errands and as usual to do his "socializing" with the town folk. He ran into a local clergyman who we've known since our kids were in grade school.  It is hard as men of faith with families not to then enter into a discussion about prayer and the need for more of it with current events being what they are and with Christmas upon us.

When the Rev.B talked about the holidays he expressed his feelings and we agree that this is a time for joy for light amongst the darkness and we celebrate Christs birth in a very few days. And we who grieve can rejoice because we believe in Him.

And it seems to me for those of us who do believe it is getting harder and harder to express our beliefs without ridicule if we choose to express or practice what we believe when we are in public.

For some reason it seems something as simple as the words "Merry Christmas" is cause for offense; this I do not understand.  And this was something the Rev.B told Bill he saw in one of the large department stores in the mall a few days ago.

I was speechless when I heard this story. And the actions of both of these men, unbelievable. All I will say is that I am profoundly disappointed that the Christian man failed to be Christian in his response. I'll just tell you what I was told happened and let you be the judge and you can tell me what you think in your comments.

He (Rev B) was standing on line at the store (not our town) but at the mall when the person in front of him was finished checking out said to the cashier. "Have a Merry Christmas."

The person replied. " I'm insulted that you would even say that to me!"
The customer said. " Your insulted that I wished you a Merry Christmas what's so insulting about me wishing you a Merry Christmas?"
Cashier. " Like I said you should keep it to yourself I'm insulted."
"Really?" Exclaimed the customer who was now agitated.
Quickly adding."Usually I would have to say something much worse to insult someone."
"Like go fuck yourself." Now you can be insulted" he mumbled back turned as he walked out.

Oh my goodness people can't we just be nice?!
What is wrong with you people?

You may wish me a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukkah even a Happy Kwanzaa, or tell me Allah blesses me I am good with it all! Because if you love God and believe in your heart then I will gladly accept you good wishes and your blessing. I cannot understand how someone could be insulted by it.

I believe in Jesus but I respect you if you believe otherwise and I pray you feel the same about my beliefs.

I notice however in stores and in the schools they're doing a lot of the Happy Holiday wishing if anything at all. My view is it's a result of a lot of political correct nonsense that is just getting out of hand.

What say you?

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Yesterday a madman..

Yesterday a young madman murdered his mother, yesterday a young madman murdered babies in a grade school classroom, yesterday a young madman murdered educators; and those educators who lost their lives-lost their lives protecting the children that were in their charge.

Yesterday some twenty pairs of parents and families plus countless other families and indeed an entire community became victims of this madman.

I cannot help but feel shock and horror that this happened. It makes me sick to my stomach.

And I ask why? Why would someone do such an unspeakably violent act?

                                                        And I try like everyone else to make some sense of that which is so very senseless.

.

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I deny the whole affair!

Do I look the least bit guilty?

I did not play with the toilet paper!! *hairball throat clear*

Missed the entire incident? Check it out here.

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Coal

Linus, my cat should have a stocking full of it this Christmas!

                                                                   He's been a bad boy!

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My angel is back where she belongs...

I've been a busy bee putting up my Christmas decorations and trimming the tree. It takes forever to do the house, if I do a complete decorating job.Somehow I remember doing it in a day years ago not it takes two but that's OK I know I'm not as young as I used to be.  I didn't always have tubs and tubs of Christmas decorations there was a time in the beginning of our marriage when we had one box total. But then there was that little incident with the ex which I'll never forget...

I was a young bride of 22 married five months. Me, Bill and the kids ( his three little ones lived with us) decorated the tree and it looked so nice perched in the corner of our little living room. Saturday morning the ex came to pick up the kids and made a bee line for the tree. I clearly remember her saying to my husband "remember when we got this ornament, I loved this one so much and wasn't this your favorite?" Needless to say they were removed from the tree after that Christmas and we donated them to charity eager to start our own collection of memories.

We purchased two main items that year an angel for the top of the tree and a nativity for under it. Each and every year we added different ornaments that the children made, first Christmas ornaments when Matthew and Eric were born,ornaments that were given to us as gifts, special occasion ornaments all of different sizes and colors. And now 32 years later we have an entire collection of different things many with specific memories attached.

This year we had a problem with the angel, she wouldn't light- the wires burned out. I found myself surprisingly unable to let her go where Bill would have just gotten something new.
Like a member of the family I was used to her presence atop the tree looking down at the kids when they were little playing with their toys and beyond. Now I just couldn't wrap my head  around her not being there to see their kids doing the same thing the prospect was unthinkable to me.

Bill and I discussed it and it was decided we would have to replace her but I secretly hoped to find another similar angel so I could use that ones lights to replace her lights with new ones.  I found a similar style of angel that had the same style lights (yes I did a happy dance!) and was able to use those light in my dear sweet angel.

My girl is back glowing brightly atop my tree hopefully for another 32 or more years!

Freedom of speech of vulgar display?

Ho ho holy moley and I thought I had some questionable neighbors!  Imagine if your next door neighbor put this Christmas display up in your honor ?

photo credit

I couldn't even imagine but apparently the person is claiming it's a First Amendment issue ( freedom of expression/speech)  but it's safe to say there are many who are of the opinion that this is just a vulgar display.

What do you think? First Amendment or Vulgar display.

I hate, hate, hate this but I'm a bit conflicted since I'm not so sure she doesn't have the right to express herself even if I think the way she did it is all kinds of wrong.