RHOnda and TOon's Birthdays

This is not a Birthday photo.  It is from May 2013...
Did you know our Birthdays are one week apart??
TOn's is August 29th, and mine is today--September 5th.
So, Happy Birthday to US ;D

RON MORRILL - June 1934 to May 2013

RHOnda's Daddy got his wish to go home to die...
I love you, Daddy <3 p="">
RHOnda

Favourite Daughter with Favourite Dad

Feeling Much Better--Again!!

With TOon/TOny as my bestest friend and cheerleader...  How could I NOT feel better!!  Well, it also took medication, and my fabulous Team of  psych nurse, psychologist and psychiatrist ;D

TOny said once that I "share very personal things" on our Blog.  Yup!!  'Cos if YOU or a loved one battles with depression or another psychiatric disorder--get Thee to a doctor!!  You WILL feel better.  You WILL have the best quality of life possible.  IF you work WITH your Team ;D

I was down for the count 'cos I have had a loss, will shortly have another loss, and will face two, more losses in my future.  Grieving time, mourning time.  Nurture Rhonda time ;D  Purple fingernails!!

This, too, DID pass...  Thank you for your warm hugs!!  They felt WONDERFUL ;D

RHOnda 

Dad

Dad got his results from an MRI scan. It was scheduled after he had completed his chemo and radiation treatments. Seems the brain tumour has shrunk. Praise the Lord!! Time to giggle now ;D RHOnda

van de Ven Christmas FUN !!

Happy Christmas from RHOTO, Erik and some of the Kids :D

RHOTO

Peace on Earth 2011

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Happy Birthday, Isaac

Here’s wishing you a wonderful 36th birthday. Know that you are loved—every day, not just on Your day!
Soft hugs & warm greetings,
RHOTO

Peace Garden on Mom/Marina's Earthday

Today is Mom/Marina's Earthday. And the Peace Garden where she is has been beautified. By her dear grandson, Christopher and by Grampa/Dad.
Christopher decided to make his Eagle Scout project the improvement of this Garden. Lots of time mulching, gardening, building a walkway. Climbing rose bushes will eventually bloom on the arched trellis. Great job, Chris!! <3 And Grampa/Dad made a beautiful sign. Integrate welding work. That includes eight (8) yellow roses--one for Mom and each of her siblings and also of her favourite flower. The sign is for everyone to enjoy... They don't need to know how personalized it is for Mom/Marina ;D. Today is Mom/Marina's Earthday. And the Peace Garden where she is has been beautified... RHOnda

One RSVP, Other Surprise Visit

Onze Erik said he was coming to visit us (from Toronto) in September--and he did!! We laughed, shared, had a wonderful visit with TOon's son. NOW Erik calls RHOnda, "you wacky, cute woman you"... I LIKE it!! ;D

Holdeman Mennonite friends from Manitoba surprised RHOnda (and then TOny, of course!) with a nice, warm visit. It was so nice to see these people again. Everyone enjoyed themselves, sharing and laughing together. They were very kind and loving towards their expelled friend (RHOnda).

RHOnda

August 1st "The Walking Site"

I know... I know... Same ole boring 1st of month hopes and dreams, eh. I'm not doing "perfect", but I'm trying. It's a charged "anniversary" time. The BEST time to exercise, I know... But, I end up in bed all day.

"This, too, shall pass!" Onward and forward hoe...

RHOnda

100-jarig jubileum van de familie van de Ven

Fifty years ago today--July 31, 1961--was TOon's parents' 50th Wedding anniversary, which was celebrated in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Their ten (10) children were in attendance. Four (4) of them came over from Canada for this special event. Including TOon of Rhoto's Rag fame (2nd to the left).

Today, on the 100th anniversary of their Grandparents' wedding, the siblings of the original offsprings (the "Cousins") gathered together in The Netherlands to celebrate. Again, several came over from Canada. Including our Erik (2nd from the left, back row).

RHOTO

Happy Sweet 16, Kelly!!

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Happy 18th, Eagle Scout Chris!!

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RHOnda's Back!!

'Have been for several days!! Haven't blogged 'cos I've been busy!! ;)
Lots of catching up to do... I'm going to make this all one blog. Just read the parts that "interest" you, ok ;)

Heads up, Sewers: there's no sewing, except for starting "R" "H" "O" "T" "O" pillows for our bed...

SANTIAGO visited here while Michael volunteered there (India)
Father Santiago was in Canada for a conference (Toronto). We got to visit here in Montreal ;). He is also a Pastor in India, with 2,000 people attending Mass. (Imagine! India is NOT a Catholic country, eh.) We were very happy to help him with a special project: he's building a playground for the children to have fun while their parent(s) attend Mass. These are very poor children who don't get a "chance" to play...

In the meantime, "our" adopted nephew Michael (with dots missing on his name :( ) was in India, volunteering.

These two sat together at TOny's 80th Birthday party.

ERIK visited overnight.
Such a "sweetheart". Very understanding of my depression/depressive ways. "Made" me laugh, in spite of myself.

RHOTO to the annual Carribean Parade.
Downtown Montreal. "Lively" beat/rhythm. Scantally clad women--a bit "much" (or should I say "NOT much") at times. Well, we came, we saw, we won't be back... We were EXPECTING floats depicting each Carribean country and its culture...

RHOTO to MMFA for Jean Paul Gaultier
We covered about 1/2 of the exhibit. Will go back for the rest. VERY modern, very androgynous... The models talk! JPG talks!!

Interesting in a totally different way than Yves Saint Laurent... This is "fashion art", perhaps-- YSL is Couturier.

RHOnda Volunteers at Senior Non-Credit Office
I feel well enough to wash my hair and join the world. (Couldn't last week.) It's fun to interact with this "Senior" crowd!

RHOnda's carrying a burden...
(I know, Katie, I shouldn't be carrying...) Please remember us.


and last...

RHOnda received a Special Present

A long-ago, dear friend sent me an old, very special photo... A beautiful memory, a warm hope...special to save for myself. Big hug to Debs ;)

That's a brief update... Thanks for stopping by for tea!!

RHOnda

"Our" Elsa Graduated!!

"Études et pratiques littéraires" She DID it!! Never any doubt ;) "Our" Elsa graduation from McGill University with a BA in French. She whose first language is Mandarin Chinese. Who studied at Concordia and McGill in English. (Got that??)

Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Tony are VERY proud of you, Elsa!!

RHOTO


PS Guess who the speaker was at the Graduation ceremony? "Captain Kirk" (William Shatner), who received an Honourary Ph'd from his Alma Mater.

I Saw Alan!!...

Have you ever been told that you look like a family member? Yesterday, I "saw" Alan, my late brother, in my face. Clear as can be!! It was a mesmerizing minute. I didn't move. And when I did move my mouth, he was "gone"...

What a wonderful gift for me!! Love 'ya, Alan!!

RHOnda

Happy Wicked Stepmother Day!!

"Happy Wicked Stepmother Day" (formerly known as "Evil Stepmother Day")

And by WICKED, I mean....

W onderful
I ntelligent
C aring
K ind
E ncouraging
D ear to my heart

ERIK


Erik is a "keeper"... And an extra blessing in my life "just 'cos" I fell in love with his Pap.

RHOnda

Happy 400th Post, RHOTO'S RAG!! ;-D

The Warrior Emperor & China's Terracotta Army

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Today, RHOTO invited our "adopted niece", Elsa out to celebrate her 23rd birthday. We went to the above-captioned exhibition.
Our first impression: how many different items were there for the viewing. Also how many visitors were at the Museum (probably twice as high as "usual".)
It was a surprise that besides the Terracotta Army, there were numerous other creatures, actually too much to take in at one time. For instance, farm animals, an archery bow, etc.
We were astonished also to see how well this exhibition is organized, and we wonder how all these items got into the Museum. You can't just get a "big truck"!!
It was pointed out by Elsa (who saw these warriors at the place where they were found in China) that some of the artifacts dated from 600 BC to 200 BC. The soldiers and horses are larger than life. They all wore skirts (except the horses, of course!), while the officers had more ornate upper-body garments.
We will certainly visit again. And, in the meanwhile, we will do some research--via our computer--because we want to find everything there is to know about these discoveries!

TOny

"The Peace Garden"

Where Mom/Marina "is"... What beautiful flowers!! Even in March ;)

RHOnda