tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63659731483170297722011-12-24T12:21:30.732+10:00Yes, I am a Canadian but I call Australia my home in the Sunshine State Queensland in the River City - Brisbane. My husband Peter is an Aussie and our two puppies are true Aussie dogs - Kelpie/Cattle dogs - Jessie and Jake. I love writing and photography, so I thot I would have a go at a blog which enables me to enjoy both. Hopefully this will help me develop my writing skills so that I put them to use doing something else down the road!Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.comBlogger511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-1322372023469435942011-12-24T12:21:00.000+10:002011-12-24T12:21:30.743+10:00

Hello to our friends & family (on every side of the globe), 14 December 2011 It is with mixed emotions that I write this year's Christmas Letter.  Most of you will have heard that Peter and I were planning on visiting Canada this Christmas and had booked our trip in July and had arranged to see the Miracle of Christmas with Mom and Dad in Pennsylvania and we were all very excited.  But

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-14893881921391513582011-11-09T22:05:00.000+10:002011-11-09T22:05:06.182+10:00

Water - what can I say about it?  It is wet...lol  I remember hearing that our bodies are actually full of alot of water; so I went to Wikipedia and had a quick look to see if I could find some statistics.  Voila, on average, our bodies are 57% water.  That is also why I heard that we find being by the water so soothing and relaxing.  I know that I sure do! In addition to living in Brisbane

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-9502243486851555142011-10-27T00:15:00.000+10:002011-10-27T00:15:42.776+10:00

Jacaranda season is upon us in Queensland at the moment - a favourite time of year for me because it reminds me of Spring Blossoms back home.  They give off a soft subtle scent, too, which is just lovely. Just a couple minute drive from where I work is Goodna; one of the suburbs that was devastated during the floods earlier this year and whilst some of the beautiful Jacaranda trees were

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-21098056083197805322011-10-18T21:20:00.000+10:002011-10-18T21:20:18.918+10:00

Yep, its time.  It has been too long since I have been working towards getting fit.  I was on the road to fitness, but alas, my surgery set me back a bit.  My bike broke, so that was a bit of a setback, too. I started looking on Ebay in the hopes that I would find another bargain like my first bike, but no such success - no bargains to be had.  So, I have begun my search for "the" exercise bike

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-12652011678487598692011-10-17T14:13:00.001+10:002011-10-17T14:15:56.796+10:00

When I wrote my last blog about our new Rose "Jack", I mentioned our neighbour Al and how he continues to work his wonder on the garden at the apartment building where my parents live, since moving there and leaving his house.  Well, alas, I was just going through some more of my pictures from our recent trip to Canada and discovered a perfect picture, showing Al doing what he does best - tending

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-45927609200434702482011-10-12T20:32:00.000+10:002011-10-12T20:32:45.682+10:00

What a lovely gesture from special friends - they gave us a beautiful red rose, in memory of dad. We have placed it right at the front of the house, quite close to the front doorway.  A rose and our puppies in the backyard would be a recipe for disaster.  Besides, this way, we see the rose as we leave for work each morning and return home each afternoon. And then it occurred to me - the rose

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-51150278129816417862011-10-02T09:58:00.002+10:002011-10-02T10:38:25.899+10:00

A very big thank you to Roger for recording Dad's Celebration Service! The following is the slide show that we put together to share some of our awesome memories of dad.  Our family is very thankful that we love photos! The audio to the slide show includes the Call to Worship at Dad's Service by Major Dena Hepditch and then my solo (or rather a duet) of my singing with my recording of The

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-88734000638126049622011-08-18T21:52:00.000+10:002011-08-18T21:52:45.423+10:00

Wow, it has been a while since I wrote my last blog article. Life seems to be a bit busy of late, but in the midst of the busyness, a topic that is near my heart has surfaced in recent days. There is a lot of awareness these days of bullying and harassment; particularly in schools so it tends to target the younger population. I disagree and furthermore, bullying and harassment has always been

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-80301007926402244712011-07-16T21:38:00.001+10:002011-07-16T21:40:42.382+10:00

Hint - if the words in the picture are too small, click on it and it will open up in a larger view format for you!

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-87588537650415706342011-06-26T22:39:00.001+10:002011-06-26T22:40:05.568+10:00

A lot of people reading my blog would be familiar with Peter and my story about how we met....but reflecting today about seven years ago, even I have enjoyed re-reading my story that I wrote as a testimonial for the ChristianCafe website where Peter and I met. BRENDA AND PETER’S LOVE STORYHere is a little history about how we met.  If you had told me that I would log-onto a Christian Singles

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-72334362057780262282011-06-06T15:59:00.002+10:002011-06-06T16:15:20.591+10:00

Wow.....four weeks ago today I was almost waking up in recovery after having had surgery.  So, God did not provide a supernatural miracle; for whatever reasons, it was His will that I have the surgery and go through a little bit of inconvenience and some pain, but I know this - I trust Him. Now, this is an interesting concept, trusting God because there is an element of unknown in this trusting

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-79977441567411966052011-06-04T10:54:00.000+10:002011-06-04T10:54:01.983+10:00

I cannot remember who actually gave me this picture (my mom maybe?), but it captures me to a 't'.  The quote says "I mean to work hard, Lord, but I keep running across things that are more fun to do." Today I have a few things that I could do but it is deciding what to do.  It is a gorgeous day outside but I am still restricted to light duties, so no gardening/weeding for me today! I should

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-78991114828025160492011-05-27T04:28:00.001+10:002011-05-27T04:34:28.541+10:00

Wow....these past few weeks have been a journey of stretching my faith. In case you may not know, I discovered that I had an incisional hernia a few weeks ago and required surgery.  We are blessed to live in a part of the world that benefits from a great health system and hernia repair surgeries these days are probably a dime a dozen and often times, it is day surgery or an overnight admission

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-32261873975624675142011-05-07T23:05:00.001+10:002011-05-07T23:13:58.717+10:00

Queensland had another long weekend this past weekend gone by, so Peter and I embarked on another adventure, but this time we did not head for the coast. Instead, we headed inland a bit through Teviot State Forest after driving through the very full Moogerah Dam.  It was a bit windy, steep and narrow heading up through the State Forest, but our faithful little Honda Jazz proved itself again.  We

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-27510720664616200542011-04-18T20:31:00.001+10:002011-04-18T20:33:19.095+10:00

My mom shared the link with me about the eagles and the Raptor Resource Project and I have enjoyed watching the hatching of the eggs and the majesty of the eagles.  You can watch the live video, too - http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles   I am reminded of this verse:  31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-25837596105965917772011-04-11T22:03:00.000+10:002011-04-11T22:03:58.851+10:00

So last night was such a beautiful evening, the puppies and I went outside and just sat and enjoyed the beautiful, peaceful evening!Hello Mr Moon! I had a bit of a fiddle with the camera to try and adjust the exposure so that I could catch a few of the stars - not sure if you can see in this resolution because I made the picture a bit smaller for the blog.Ah, I am reminded of a famous Australian

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-61855315839473908312011-03-27T19:21:00.000+10:002011-03-27T19:21:14.430+10:00

No, I do not reckon that I will ever tire of just sitting and listening and watching and relaxing amidst the amazing creation of my Heavenly Father! Peter and I enjoyed another gorgeous day at the Coast - specifically the Gold Coast, which is south of Brisbane versus the Sunshine Coast which is north of Brisbane. Because of our location in Brissy and Ipswich it is a wee bit quicker and easier

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-24636866248070497122011-03-14T20:40:00.001+10:002011-03-14T20:44:40.424+10:00

I reckon that most people think that they are good listeners, but alas, it is a skill that we could all improve on and hey, I am talking to myself here, too. Do you find that after conversations with family, friends and colleagues that you try to remember exactly what you spoke about? Do you have problems recounting facts, figures and even names of people?  You are not alone. We live in a world

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-21721555066567812302011-03-02T06:11:00.000+10:002011-03-02T06:11:06.680+10:00

I am thankful today that I can rest knowing that despite a poor night's sleep last night, that God is watching over me.Lord, help us to trust You 100% with the little things and the big things each and every day.And thanks to Joyce Meyer for always bringing a timely word for the right season - Help us not to be led by our feelings! Have a good day everyone!

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-61698889321701973722011-02-12T15:30:00.002+10:002011-03-02T06:05:54.365+10:00

"Make it so #1", "Engage", "That is not logical", and of course "Beam Me Up Scotty!" Some popular sayings from Star Trek. I wonder if the creator of Star Trek's television series ever dreamed that it would become as big as it has become! Pretty amazing........pretty much as amazing as the ability to be "beamed up" I say! Well, it happened to Phillip in the New Testament - no technology involved,

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-28881536270944243612011-02-06T22:41:00.000+10:002011-02-06T22:41:15.542+10:00

Just had another look at my blog tonight and really thot it looked too plain, hence, I chose another template and now it is a bit loud and colourful - maybe a bit too much? I have a colleague who I believe is a bit of an expert, so yeah, I have run the question by her for an expert opinion.  Her website is: http://janetbarclay.com/ - she is a virtual assistant, website designer and blogger.  She

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-58152276239947063822011-02-06T17:50:00.001+10:002011-02-06T22:46:15.272+10:00

So last weekend I asked Peter to pick up some buns at the store so I could make sandwiches. Ooops, wrong word - I should have said rolls; e.g. sandwich rolls. Now, I know that you might think this is silly, but alas, I knew in my mind what I meant when I said buns, but alas, the Aussie bloke, he did not! I am still Canadian afterall! I should have taken a photo of the flat, sad looking buns that

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-8291743836401823232011-01-15T23:14:00.001+10:002011-01-15T23:24:03.824+10:00

If you live close to Ipswich or Brisbane or actually, alot of other places in Queensland, Australia, you have probably seen first hand some of the devastation that the recent floods have brought to so many. When I visited Australia in 1989, I was told about the flood of 1974 and how Jindalee was flooded and even since my move to Brisbane, Queensland in 2003, I was often reminded that the houses

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-34651018937546231422011-01-05T05:57:00.004+10:002011-01-05T06:29:46.492+10:00

I love the ocean - most bodies of water in general actually; lakes, dams, rivers, ponds.  And yesterday I got to visit one of my favourite spots - the Gold Coast.  What can I say? It is a beautiful, majestic view and sound all rolled into one! Burleigh View of Surfers Paradise The sea breeze in my face feels refreshing, not to mention feeling the sand between my toes and then the absolute

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-26355928667553533542010-12-24T23:43:00.001+10:002010-12-24T23:45:00.792+10:00

Hello all, It has been a busy year, particularly the last 3 months with my starting a new job (this is it for a very long time....perhaps forever until retirement) lol. So, I'll try and write more soon to update you on what's happening in the Grimes' family, but for now, we'd like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year! Peter and Brenda are celebrating Christmas with

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-16990777491314670842010-08-15T14:48:00.000+10:002010-08-15T14:48:58.301+10:00

Hhhmmm......an interesting question?  I have often thot when hearing bands of the 90's and now the 21st Century try to remake a classic song that you should have left it alone - that it the way the writer meant for it to be. At church this morning, one of my all time favourite worship songs "I Love You Lord" by Laurie Klein was altered and even thot very subtly, personally, it didn't work for

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-56747944159026123382010-07-31T14:23:00.005+10:002010-07-31T20:55:28.911+10:00

Hhhmmm......can I get back to you with an answer on that?  No wait, that's procrastinating..........lol I have a poster which I've had since I was much younger (lol) and it captures me to a "t"....  I took a picture. "I mean to work hard Lord, but I keep running across things that are more fun to do." Interesting though, because we say that words have power.....so perhaps, was I solidifying

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-87865139465806042282010-06-24T11:45:00.000+10:002010-06-24T11:45:19.832+10:00

Well, it has been an eventful 24 hours - both geographically and politically - and both earthquakes - shaking up the countries of Canada and Australia. Canada is not known as a common place to experience earthquakes.  There have been some in the past but are so small that they are not felt; but on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 shortly before 1:45 pm ET, they experienced a moderate one - 5.0 on the

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-43755335943112713632010-06-23T14:49:00.000+10:002010-06-23T14:49:54.116+10:00

I have to admit - one of the things that I have so enjoyed about baking in Australia is the self-rising flour.  Oh sure, you can probably buy it in Canada, but it is not as common - at least I never realised it if it was. So, the beauty is you just bake with self-rising flour and omit baking soda and baking powder. Well, I haven't encountered any problems thus far. For example, the recipe that I

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-12902324645008472422010-06-22T13:16:00.003+10:002010-06-22T13:46:48.069+10:00

Peter and I have been on vacation and have taken a few day trips which have been the 'ole - play it by ear deal. Well, the funniest thing yesterday was finding our adventure could have been dampened a bit by the 'ole "CLOSED" sign.  Our first stop was to be at the Rustic Cabin. But alas, God knew that we were meant to keep going and we ended up in Montville and enjoyed the most delicious 

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-75436696736379557962010-05-09T12:28:00.006+10:002010-05-09T12:45:20.210+10:00

What to write today? So many thoughts whirling around inside my head. Yes, it is Mother's Day, Sunday, 9 May 2010 and it is interesting that this day is celebrated by Australia and Canada and the US (& probably other countries, continents, too); but yet, Father's Day is different...hhhmmm....I wonder why that is?  Research for another day I think. So, first, Happy Mother's Day to Moms, Mums,

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-41255974328407090342010-03-17T19:12:00.001+10:002010-03-17T19:21:36.182+10:00

Allow me, if you will, to impart to new residents of this Country some wisdom that I have gained about pet ownership in this beautiful country. When we (Peter, Chase and I) started our pursuit of a new family addition, we knew up front that the puppy would have to have permanent quarters outside of the house (not something I was very accustomed to, nor did I like); but as renters, we did not

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-18959141623503154622009-12-30T00:18:00.000+10:002009-12-30T00:18:26.719+10:00

Greetings from the Grimes’                                                                                 29 December 2009           Wow…it has been an eventful year and Peter and I are very blessed to be enjoying a bit of a break between Christmas and New Year’s.  God blessed us both with permanent job this year – I am currently working with the Department of Education and Training in

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-81232141217723765872009-11-15T16:22:00.000+10:002009-11-15T16:22:21.563+10:00

Enjoy a peek at our Women's Wrap-Up Beach Party at the Goode's.

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-84362171145527080002009-11-10T19:56:00.000+10:002009-11-10T19:56:58.349+10:00

Now, I have never been a historian, so I really don't know if the video below is completely accurate in that Albert Einstein said these things to his professor or not, but what I do know that it is a very profound video and gets us to thinking and this is good. I had a look on a couple different websites and I believe that as Albert Einstein got older, he changed his views and did, in fact,

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-19541661840013085272009-11-07T14:21:00.002+10:002009-11-08T07:34:26.353+10:00

Caught up with a friend last night who showed me some pictures of a trip she made to Canada and took me a bit down memory lane. She asked if I was familiar with the Fairmont Hotels.  "No" I said; however, the one hotel she showed me a picture of reminded me of the Chateau Laurier that my college friends and I had the privilege of staying in for Canada Day Celebrations on Capital Hill in Ottawa -

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-26162442574976872902009-10-03T15:21:00.002+10:002009-10-03T15:24:23.383+10:00

I created this slide show a few months ago now, but my hubby just taught me how to post it into my blog, so here we go........I still enjoy watching it.....and it was a lot of fun putting it together. Yep, that's me singing....."The Colours of Your Love" by the Archers.  Great song and not bad singing either, eh?

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-6269932754546743742009-10-03T15:13:00.003+10:002009-10-03T15:19:41.367+10:00

That's right folks...you read right! After living in the great land of "down under" for 7 years, I think I have taken the plunge to the land of Vegemite!.....and if applied correctly, not too thick....just a nice thin layer for taste (on toast...haven't done the bread thing yet...lol), it is actually quite tastey.  Particularly when you have a hankering for something savoury!  I've been told to

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-14189469574357064672009-10-01T17:41:00.000+10:002009-10-01T17:41:02.008+10:00

Pretty exciting evening ahead..... Off to Hillsong Brisbane tonight (our Sister Church now to Westlife) to Celebration Practice and Darlene Zschech will be there. Who would have thot that me, Brenda Tough Grimes would be living in Australia and within an arms reach of an exciting musician.  I'm pretty excited. Just finishing eating my tea (dinner for my North American friends and rellies

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-68718136544268447532009-09-30T00:48:00.002+10:002009-09-30T21:54:25.590+10:00

We'll be moving house in the next couple of weeks - yep, we found a place! God opened doors and we got a nice place and they accepted our puppies, too!  Woo Hoo! Bonus! Double Bonus - it has a rainwater tank which is so important here in Queensland with the drought and the house is insulated - another plus and we got a long lease - 28 months!  Move date is Saturday 10 October 2009. No, we

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-59983200357554298882009-09-14T23:07:00.002+10:002009-09-14T23:27:56.088+10:00

 Yes, I am a Canadian but I call Australia my home in the Sunshine State Queensland in the River City - Brisbane. My husband Peter is an Aussie and our two puppies are true Aussie dogs - Kelpie/Cattle dogs - Jessie and Jake. I love writing and photography, so I thot I would have a go at a blog which enables me to enjoy both. Hopefully this will help me develop my writing skills so that I can

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-51070711207139752172009-09-14T22:33:00.001+10:002009-09-14T22:34:39.253+10:00

Hi there, Now, this is really cool....an article I received that I wanted to share on my blog - hope you enjoy and perhaps the message is something for each and everyone of else to stop and consider in our own lives! The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-10336789742804791812009-09-13T21:47:00.001+10:002009-09-13T22:09:32.832+10:00

This is the ad that appeared in the local paper wishing Mom a very happy birthday!  I got Mom's endorsement to use this picture! Mom is the Queen of her Red Hat Gals Group (or Red Hot Mamas I think they also call themselves) and they usually wear red hats at their gatherings/outings.  But when it is their birthday, they wear a "purple" hat which I think is an excellent choice - a colour of

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-15079018003931927572009-09-13T21:44:00.001+10:002009-09-13T22:05:41.518+10:00

This is the template of what appeared in their local paper.Mom and Dad were married 50 years to the day of their Golden Anniversary! They were married in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.  Those are the Falls in the background of their wedding picture. The above is a picture I organised as a gift for mom on Mother's Day a few years ago.  I gathered all of the newspaper articles that were written

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-35360470319702792672009-09-13T03:30:00.006+10:002009-09-13T22:10:57.632+10:00

So yeah, despite the fact that we have been good tenants for the past 4 years, the owner of the property has decided it will be easier to perform the much needed repairs to the house without us in it!  You see, the house has been on the market for sale for almost a year now and he finally got an offer a few weeks ago, but alas, it did not pass property inspection....funny that!  Nope, we were not

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-29266484574141219032009-09-05T12:47:00.008+10:002009-09-13T17:37:03.093+10:00

 Imagine.......a freshly brewed mug of coffee and a donut for only $2.17!!!Yep, you read correct my Australian family and friends reading this blog.  What a great deal, eh?The coffee is freshly brewed fresh every 20 minutes.  Tim Hortons have mastered the art of great coffee.  No, it isn't a fancy latte or a cappuccino or frappuccino but it is great tasting and smelling coffee - that I can

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-2992494039040224462009-08-28T00:34:00.007+10:002009-08-28T01:02:02.896+10:00

Me and my Grandma Mason!I'll keep this entry short, but will try and write more later........... Grandma Mason didn't miss a beat - she recognized me immediately when I came into the library where she was having her dessert.You see Grandma is suffering a bit of dementia, but hey, she is doing well for 89.A big thank you to my little bro John and niece Allison and nephew Nicholas for organising

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-62749865702390740742009-08-28T00:06:00.007+10:002009-08-28T01:21:16.152+10:00

I have alot to be grateful for - I have been blessed with very special friends!And I wanted to see everyone on this trip to Canada, but my time always goes by too quickly and travelling around the place is pretty tiring, so I arranged for the visit to be a bit different this trip! And it worked out great!I emailed an invitation to friends (& family, too - yep, some can be both believe it or not!

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-27696827489906262132009-08-21T14:03:00.011+10:002009-09-13T17:38:21.325+10:00

What a great cake! Happy 70th Birthday Mom (Bev), Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad (Bev & John) - top left, Happy Retirement Uncle Gary - top right, Happy Recovery Karen - bottom left and Welcome Riley - bottom right. Aunt Barb gave a lovely speech and handed out celebratory Hawaiian lei's to the special people. Aunt Barb said it beautifully, too - our family had a lot to celebrate

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-78464896298126179632009-08-17T14:15:00.006+10:002009-09-05T11:31:22.754+10:00

Who doesn't like surprises? Well, I have got a good one to share with you.....My Mom and I were co-conspirators in the plan to surprise my dad and family and friends for a very special occasion. You see, it is Mom's 70th birthday this month, Aug 5 to be exact and Dad and Mom celebrate their Golden Anniversary this month - 50th - on Aug 29.So Mom's sister Barb was organising a special day for

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365973148317029772.post-11981887962056588652009-08-09T15:01:00.000+10:002009-08-09T15:21:57.641+10:00

And why wouldn't I want to join 'em, 'cause it really is a cool thing to do....blogging and people who know me, know I enjoy writing. In fact, I have been told that I write like I talk which is narrative style writing. Nope, I'm not a bullet point sort of person and that can be problematic when I am communicating to the some people and more particularly the male species; my husband for example.

Brenda Tough.Grimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731500429680481282noreply@blogger.com1