Thanks Martha for brightening up my life this weekend. The grey is all gone and the colour is great. Martha played hairdresser at my place and gave me a makeover. It was a quick visit but amazing how much we can talk and share stories. When we get together it is as if no one else exists. Thanks again for helping out at the Hockey “Schtick on the Ice” gala fundraiser. The Burkes really appreciate all the work you did helping the team (more than some of our parents and definitely more than the other team’s parents). Nothing went un-noticed!

Today was a wonderful Indian Summer 24oC, sunny and blue sky. The preparations are all done for tomorrows turkey dinner. We are going to try for the first time barbequing a fresh 22lb turkey. It will take 4 1/2hrs outside and will keep my kitchen from overheating. The neighbours will all enjoy the aromas coming from our patio. I baked my pumpkin pies today by special request. We invited the Edmonds to join us and the two Grandmother as well. I hope that everyone has a happy day tomorrow.

I’m well on my way to organizing my life. I started to purge my clutter and started in the furnace room and storage area. I first had to move out all the boxes and clear out the “Black Hole”. I cleaned and dusted and then painted the floor. Built and installed shelves from Ikea and bought Rubbermaid buckets to store all the “must keeps”. Everything else will get tossed. Why do I need that Grade three art folder anyway? My tv room is in an absolute upheavale, but what the heck. My dead line to have it all done is this Thursday. Wish me luck!

I have been watching the web cams on Bowen Island and English Bay and the weather that they are having on the west coast is just unbelievable. Martha, Tom and Laura you must be having the time of your lives. Have you decided to move out there yet? Blackberry season will tempt me anyday, thats for sure. Glad to hear that you are having a fun holiday. Happy Anniversary. I wish I was there to dine and celebrate together, like always.

I would like to thank Martha for behaving herself at the concert last night. Canadians from coast to coast were watching the events unfold on CBC and MuchMusic and Simulcast on the internet. We knew that the girls were parked near the V.I.P. tent and the CBC Booth and so there was a good chance that they would get on camera. When we saw all the women flip their tops to the cameras and bare their breasts I was cringing to think…if Martha does that…viewers might confuse her with me. Yikes!!! Thanks Martha for not getting your hot flashes.

Martha and Laura ventured up the 401 today to rendezvous with Jackie to attend the Toronto/Sars Rolling Stones Concert. They are young at heart and burning for adventure. Martha will have the time of her life at the rock concert of the century. This will also be Laura’s first. Jackie of course is an old pro at attending this kind of venue. Auntie Eileen chickened out and will be sitting back in the comfort of her basement watching the events unfold on TV. The crowds (430,000 expected) had something to do about her decision to forgo this invite. They are also expected to walk 2hrs to get to the park and again another 2hrs walk and agonizing hours to get home again. Good Luck Gillier Girls.

The 4th of July was enjoyed sitting in a Muskoka chair on the dock sipping a Smirannoff Ice. The 5 Bako’s were invited to a cottage on Canning Lake in Haliburton. The weather was perfect and the bugs were just a bit annoying in the evening. We had fun soaking in the lake and the boys did tubing and tried wakeboarding. We fired up steaks on the Weber and drank fine wine till the wee hours of the night. Thank you Keith, Cathy and Evan for sharing a little bit of your paradise with us. You can view all the vacation pictures here…

Brian and Peter had their big day at the St Christoper, Grade 8 Graduation Ceremonies. They got all decked out in their finest on a steamy 37oc evening. Thank goodness the hall was air conditioned. We had a little dinner at the house beforehand and Tacos was the choice meal requested. The boys got the essential teenage “Bling Bling” and were all smiles for the grueling family photo session in the garden. Nick and I were very proud of all three of our teenage sons (they are all grown up now!). Peter was awarded the gold cord and the religion medal. We are going to call him Father Peter from now on! 
 We dropped the boys off to their first mixed party and the parents settled in at the “Pump and Patio” for some of our own fun joined by friends and siblings. I do want to mention that we closed the place. Now the summer has officially begun. Yeah.