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Monday, April 20, 2009

Remembering Memere

Remembering Pierrette's Grandmother in the years that I knew her:
memere arsenault


She was a sweet little old lady, always bustling about.

Memere


She reminded me a little of my own grandmother.

Conversation


She liked to cook; I mostly tasted simple acadian dishes like fish cakes and pates, as well as a lovely brown roll recipe that I'll be keeping.

Memere en Salon


She got to meet her great-grandson, our son, for the first year of his life.

Generations


I was hoping she'd be around longer so that Christophe might have recollections, but I guess we don't get to pick the time.

Memere en Cuisine


She had a good life, and she was ready for what comes next; I hope I can say the same for myself when the time comes.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Laura Bourque Arsenault


Laura Bourque-Arsenault, 95,wife of the late Albénie Arsenault, of Moncton, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital.

Born February 10, 1914 in Notre-Dame, she was the daughter of the late Adélard and Suzanne (Landry) Bourque. She was known as «The mother of the Acadian poets». Laura loved to read, and for over 30 years, she wrote a diary of her daily life. She wrote two poetry books, «Du pain sur la planche» and «La vie à travers ma poésie» She also wrote her auto-biography «Brins de vie, Brins de poésie». She also loved the theatre, acadian music and knitting.

She will be sadly missed by her seven children: Maria Abel (late Gordon) of Salmon Arm, BC, Diane Arsenault ofDieppe, Annette Boudreau (Gerry) and Guy Arsenault both of Moncton, Robert Arsenault (Hélène) of Shediac, Suzanne Gison (Ed) of Brampton, ON, Monique Paquet (Claude) of Memramcook; two sisters: Rita Estabrooks of Moncton, Thérèse Roy (Alban) of Notre-Dame; and a brother, Aurèle (late Irène) of Dieppe; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she is also predeceased by a grand-daughter, Danielle Boudreau; two brothers, Edgar and Raymond; and two sisters, Stella and Lina.

Visitation will be at Frenette's Funeral Home, 88 Church Street, Moncton (858-1900). The funeral mass will be held at N.-D.-de-Grâce R.C. Church, Moncton, on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11 am. Interment will be in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Dieppe.

Visiting hours Friday, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm; Saturday, from 10 am until departure (10:45).

At the request of the family, donations to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated in memory of her grand-daughter Danielle.

www.frenettefuneralhome.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Memere

We made it to Riviere du loup last night...

I got a call at 4:30 ish that my memere past away in her sleep.

Je t'aime memere...

Pierrette

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Toys 'r' us - Natural Wood Toys

For Christophe birthday we received 3 more pieces from the Natural Wood collection Toys r Us now offers. But just how green and non-toxic are this new line from Toys r Us. Below is a list of pros and cons from my point of view.

Pros:
  • Forest Stewardship Council seal approved wood used
  • Made from wood
  • no paints or dyes
  • chemical-free
  • does not use batteries
  • inexpensive
Cons:
  • made in China
  • manufactured by a company that also makes toxic toys
  • sold at toys r us (over the years as toys r us has taken over the toy market many small mom and pop shops have closed their doors)
As much as the cons are big ones, I also believe that the more the general public purchases green items from the large corporation the more they will get the message that green is the better way.

I know for example the grocery store in my neighborhood is carrying more and more organic dry goods and produce because the demand is there. Our economy is all about supply and demand.

So far Christophe has Trailer Truck; Alphabet block set; Race car and the shape sorter and I have to say he loves all of them especially the truck and car. We will probably eventually get him the Fire Truck also.

As a mom point of these are built to last; the fact the people are all the same shape and size is also great as Christophe can let the race car driver drive the truck and vice-verse. The only thing that I am not crazy about is the fact that they are made with unfinished soft wood, soft wood takes on oils of your skin and discolors after time not making these good targets to save to pass on to the next generation.

What's your opinion about large corporations going "green"?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Toys Talk in Toronto

On April 20th, I will be leading a discussion on non-toxic & eco-friendly toys at Red Tent Sisters in Toronto.

In this discussion I will share all the information I have gathered in regards to toy selection for my son; I will also be bringing in loads of examples to show and your little ones can test drive them while we talk.

If you are interested check out the Red Tent Sisters Meetup Page - cost is $10 at the door or $8 in advance.

I am still here

I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that we are still alive and here. About 2 weeks ago I received a call from my mom telling me my grandmother was ill with the flue, after a few days the flue turned in a blocked intestines and a hospital stay with diagnosis that my grandmother had a stronger chance of dying then surviving. We immediately packed our bags and headed to Moncton via car to be with her. A day into our trip the diagnosis changed to a hernia pressing on her intestines causing a blockage and stopping her from being able to eat, this is operatable and after long deliberation she decided to go for the operation. (At her age there is only a 50% chance she would wake up from the anestestic let alone recover) it has now been a week and half we are in Moncton and she is looking like she is on the road to a great recovery. ( We are staying hopefull ) We were suppose to leave this morning however Moncton has been blanketed with an Easter snow storm, I guess we were ment to have one more visit with my grandmother before leaving.