The Great Quilt Room Cleanup

Today mom and I spent about 6 hours cleaning up and re-organizing her quilt room. After about 2 years, it just wasn't working. You could not use the full cutting table as it was constantly full of half projects on the go. So we decided to re-organize and it turned out really good.

We moved the quilt books, magazines and binders off the shelf in the closet onto the bottom of the cutting table. We hardly use them but when we do, it will be easy for us to access them.

We then put all mom's projects on the shelves and labelled them so she knows what is what. It gave us more room I think.

We then cleaned up and removed an extra table around the sewing area. Now you can walk around with ease!

The counter wasn't that bad so we just tidied it up a little.

Look a place for visitors to sit! There was a chair under all that material.

A Birthday Remembrance

It would have been 11 years today that Mojave Desert California Dream "Cali" was born. This is a remembrance of her.

It was back in August 1998 when I was looking for a companion for Snoopy. We were living in the country but moving into Calgary. I had bought my first house and had a very, very long possession date. I had to wait 6 months before I took possession - November 1998. Since Snoopy was used to having company - Lakota, Raven and Sarge - I thought it best if she had a sister of her own to share experiences with in the new house. Before taking possession of the house I thought it best if Snoopy and her new sister got to know each other.

I had looked hard around Calgary for a sibling but could not find anything. I did not want a male dog as they pee on everything and I thought it best to keep with us females. My search expanded to Alberta, then Canada and I still could not find a sibling for Snoopy. The prices were incredible - close to $1,000 - and I didn't want to pay that since I got Snoopy for $250 (without papers).

At the time I was working at PanCanadian when the internet was in its infancy. My job let me to surf the net freely with no consequences (except for the naughty sites). I searched and searched but finally found a dog that needed to be rescued in California. I had no idea what it would take to get this dog but I wanted her. She was a blue ticked beagle like Snoopy - hard to find. I had also been looking at breeders and found Mojave Desert who was in California as well.

I thought I would do a good deed and get the rescue dog and when talking with the Mojave breeder, he offered to go take a look at it and see about getting the dog sent to me. I had contacted the rescue society and told them that Donald from Mojave Desert was coming to take a look at the dog for me. After a lot of time and effort, the society would not let me have the dog as I lived out of the country. I was heartbroken.

Donald knew what I was looking for and so we started talking again. He did have a beagle girl who was ready to go and after a lot of diliberation I said I'd take her. I didn't know if he was just a puppy mill breeder but put my faith in him and glad I did as I was never disappointed with the outcome.

He had indicated that she was a "little tri-colored female who is submissive but beautiful, healthy, playful and very loving". Years later she was still that way and that description fitted her to a "T".

It was August 29th that I had received notice from Donald that Cali had "passed her physical with flying colors". He had indicated that "you are going to really be happy with her. She is one of the cutest beagles you will ever see. Her head is turning a soft, light brown and she has those long floppy ears. She loves to be held, petted and carried around. She will be a great friend for your other beagle." He couldn't have said it any better.

On August 31, 1998 Mom, Ross Van Wert (a friend and co-worker from PanCanadian), Snoopy and I got in the old truck and drove to the airport. Cali was coming in on Canadian Air Cargo that evening around 8:30pm. We had to drive back to the cargo office as that is where she was to be picked up. I was excited and nervous as I didn't know what I was truly getting. It could have been a stuffed dog with 2 missing legs for all I knew.

We went to the cargo office and we were told that we had to go to the hanger where the parcels came in. So we hopped into the truck and drove off to find the hanger. Finally getting to the hanger I was so excited. I had all the paperwork and was ready to pick up my new member of the family. At that point I was told that they could not release the dog as I had to go to customs first. The person indicated that I might not be able to take her home as customs was closing in 20 minutes and sometimes they held the animals for a day. My heart fell to my stomach and I wanted to cry.

So mom quickly drove me back to the airport terminal where I had to find customs and speak with them. Ross stayed behind to check on the pup. At that point I had not even seen Cali. I walked into customs and there was no one around. It looked as if everyone had already gone for the evening and I was heartbroken. Truly ready to cry. An officer saw me and came to see if he could help. I told him my circumstances and was almost in tears. He indicated that it was late and that he doubted that I could have her tonight. Tears started falling, so he went back and spoke with his co-worker. He came back and said that he was wrong and that I just had to pay the customs on her - $44.94 and she was all mine. BUT I had to hurry as the cargo hanger closed in 10 minutes.

Mom had driven around several times until I came out and she said she almost got in trouble for parking so long waiting for me. I told her we had to hurry back and explained what had happened. We got back to the hanger and had all the official paperwork - Cali was officially mine and I could take her home.

She was a groggy little pup as she had a long day. Snoopy sniffed her, wasn't impressed and sat in the back with Ross. Mom thought she was an ugly thing but she was wrong. Cali was always a sweet, cute, loving, playful and cuddly little angel.

Snoopy and Cali became the best of friends, hardly ever fought and played all the time. Cali was a special girl who will always be in my heart forever. Remembering her aroo, her favourite toy - the green frog she carried around by the crotch in her mouth, her excited dance when you came home, to her last breath. I love and miss you my sweet little angel.

Snow on June 6th

Snow started at around 4:30 am.

Cute little snowflakes.

Snow starting to accumulate at 8am.

8am - snowfall

A nice little skiff of snow in June.

After the snow melted, we had a little hail.

Update from Parents

Well mom & dad were not abducted by aliens NOR were they sleeping in the airport for 7 days. Today I got an email from mom saying that they were in Ketchikan, Alaska and they were having a good time. Of course she asked if Paige was well first, guess I should let her out of the shed! bahaha (evil laugh). As for being abducted by aliens, she did say they weren't but some of the people on the ship were weird. Will have to get more information on that when they come home.

Their weather has been beautiful so far and apparently there was a storm last night but they both slept through it. Mom asked if I'd rock her to sleep every night.... um... NO! Sorry!

I guess they have been SHOPPING quiet a lot as I was asked to put some money on their Visa card for them. I'm scared! She also indicated that they sent a package home so when I pick up the mail if there is a package it is from them. They were unsure of the amount of room they have left in their luggage. I sure hope they didn't buy Alaska out. Mom indicated she picked up some Alaskan type material so to be prepared to sew when she gets home.

They had seen some humpback whales, dolphins and okras so far. She also mentioned there is a lot of junk in the ocean (that's sad).

I guess the lineups to get back onto the ship is quite a site - I hope they have some pictures.

I called the Alaskan Airlines to confirm they are still booked for the flight home and they should be fine.

I did warn them that there is SNOW in the forecast for this weekend, heavy snow and that I was not joking. Mom said she heard that.

I'll be bringing in all the plants I can tonight as it is supposed to also freeze, so I'm gonna try to save some plants.

The Crazy Robin

Before mom and dad went away on their vacation, I was in the basement with the dogs and we heard this thump. It was loud and consistent enough to get Paige barking. I went to see what was going on and saw that a bird had flown into the basement window. It kept flying into the window time and time again. At first I thought it was trying to kill something so I went out and checked with window well. The robin flew away when I came to investigate.

It was the first night mom and dad left. I think they must have had the following planned somehow. Starting at 4:30am the next morning that thumping sound was back. Of course Paige started barking but this time the thumping came from my window. I got up to see what it was and it was the damned robin again. It flew into the window a couple of times before I scared it off.

The next morning around the same time, the damn robin was back. It would fly into the window consistently and not stop. I would have to go to the window to scare it away. It would just fly up and sit on the fence staring down at me. It was as if the damn robin was mocking me. I then put a pillow in the window thinking that might scare it off if it came back the next day.

Well sure as anything it did come back the next day. Pillow didn't work and I was at my whits end. I went into the shed and got the snow fence out. This time I covered the whole window over. If anything I was going to stop this robin.

While putting the snow fence up, I noticed the bird had flown across the street and was attacking their basement window with as much vim and vigor as anything.

Sure as I'm typing this the next day the thumping was back. But this time it was in the other room. I had scared the bird off my window but it was now attacking the window in the other room.

Finally this morning there was no thumping. Either the robin flew into the window enough times that it killed itself or it has left.

Killer bird marks on the window.

Bored and working from home

This is my name 'VALERIE' written in Snoopy Wingding Font. Ok, yes I am bored but I'm working from home so I guess it isn't so bad. Except that I'm so anal that I'm sitting in front of my work laptop just waiting for something to happen. Oh I did a load of laundry yesterday and folded it while sitting in front of my laptop.

I do get up now and then to let the dogs outside. On the plus side I did have lunch sitting on the deck listening to the fountain and birds enjoying the lovely sun. I see I have to cut the grass tonight. We'll see how my knee holds out. Six weeks of physio and it still hurts and is swollen that I can't bend it.

Yes I'm rambling, sorry to you poor souls who are reading this (if there is anyone out there!).

I'll write my RETARDED ROBIN story probably this evening - you'll get a chuckle out of it. Well back to surfing for unusual stuff.

Quilts, Quilts and more Quilts

I know I should probably be outside enjoying this nice weather but it is really nice to have the house to myself and to be able to get a few things done without being interrupted all the time. I wanted to post and update my quilt album so here goes.

This is the first quilt I ever made. I came back from Peru and found some material that had Peruvian images on it. Thus my Peru quilt.

Dog Lap Quilt - A quick lap quilt made out of my stash of dog material. This is the second quilt I made.

Appliqued Heart Quilt - mom had appliqued all the hearts on this quilt when her and dad drove down to Ontario one year. This is my favourite quilt and stays on my bed.

Quilt from Hell. This was made in Winnipeg during the month I was waiting to sell my house and move back home. It was machine quilted back in Calgary by Sheila Mote. This quilt fits a queen size bed.

Pinwheel Quilt - I don't like the green on it but it came out OK.

Table topper made out of some charm squares. Mom has hand appliqued daisies on it.

Sunflower table runner made for Sheila P.

Sunflower table runner made for Sheila P.

Cali's Quilt - I made this for Cali when she was nothing but skin and bones. The turtle blocks were made by someone else, I just put it together.

Chain of Pastels quilt made out of 1930s reproduction material - made for Sheila P. for Christmas 2007. Machine quilted by Sheila Mote.

Pretty in Pink Quilt made for Jamie F. - Christmas 2007. Machine quilted by Sheila Mote.

Checkerboard Quilt made for John P. - Christmas 2007.

Farmyard Animals quilt made for Kim & Ted F. - my adoptive family in Texas.

Hip to be Squared Quilt kit made for Dana Swanson-Jenkins. Machine quilted by Jane Goddard.

Block of the month quilt - Garden Trails - made for Jacki. Machine quilted by Jane Goddard.

This is the hand appliqued dolphin label I made for the back of Jacki's quit.

Well they are off....

Popeye and Olive Oil should already be in Seattle now.

I dropped them off at the airport at 6am and haven't heard from them so I am assuming they caught the new flight to Seattle.

Good thing I sent my alarm (and turned it ON!) as I woke up at 3:30am expecting to hear them moving about but nothing. So I went upstairs to let Paige out and they were both sound asleep, soring like there is no tomorrow.

After dropping them off I came home, watered the flowerbed and lawn and went back to sleep. I think I was more excited for them then they were. Most likely because they were still worried they'd miss the ship.

Ahhhhh, peace and quiet for a whole week now! Plus I'm working from home. What more can a girl ask for!?!?!

Update on Parent's Trip

Mom and dad got a call from Marge who tried to get her boarding passes and found out the flight was cancelled! She called mom in a panic and of course dad flew off the handle.

Mom called Air Canada and was able to get an early flight still in time for them to catch their ship to Alaska.

It was a few tense moments and now I know for sure they won't be sleeping at all tonight. At least we get to sleep in a bit.

It will be interesting once I drop them off at the airport at 6am now.

STAY TUNED!

Last Supper

Jacki took Mom, Dad and myself out to dinner this evening before they leave on for their trip tomorrow. I am driving them to the airport to be there for 4AM tomorrow morning! They leave at 6am and fly to Seattle where they will board the Norwegian Pearl and sail off to Alaska. I wish I was going as I need a holiday very, very badly.

We went back to Jacki's place and I was snooping through some of her books and found two great quotes that really mean something to me.

THE PRESENT IS WHERE YOU ARE MEANT TO BE NOW - TOMORROW IS FOR THE FUTURE AND THE PAST IS THE PAST.

The past is gone forever and cannot be changed. Forgive yourself and others and move on. Live for the present and make it positive and wonderful. All that you are learning today can be put to good use tomorrow. Today is the first day of the rest of your life - get on with it, every moment is precious.

FREE YOURSELF OF GUILT, GO FORWARD WITH LIFE.

You cannot undo what you have done, although you can try to repair the damage. Forgive yourself and others. Guilt will fill you with anguish. What is past is past. Go forward with your life and learn from your experience to make you a better, more feeling and loving person.

If there were any two quotes that explained my persona, it would be those two.

I think my traveling Alberta trip is off this year. With the economy, the price of gas and not knowing what my job holds I think I'll be sticking close to home. I might make a few day trips though.

Dad and I were talking this morning and we got on the topic of the old house Grandma Jenkins lived in, in Drumheller. How the house did not have the front room on it when dad was growing up as that was later on when Grandma and Canada got together. Dad also was reminiscing about how he used to walk everywhere growing up. His brother Jimmy had a bike and would ride home and be home a half hour earlier than dad. Dad would get a spanking for being late, but that was because he was walking.

Not until dad traded his dog Rex for Jimmy's bike did he get around any other way than walking.

Funny guy dad!

This lovely handy work is courteously of my father. There was a mouse trap upstairs that needed to be taken down but I would always forget. So my helpful dad brought it down along with this plastic rat we had. For the longest time he would deny he had anything to do with it or acknowledge it. What a guy!

This reminds me of the best April Fools joke he played on me. I believe I was still in high school and we were living out at Chestermere. He came running down the hall with a fishnet in his hands tapping the floor along the way. This woke me up so he then came tapping into my room and told me to hold the fishnet at the headboard closest to the door. He then told me that there was a gopher in the house and he was going to get a stick to scare it out and I would catch it in the net for him.

Dirty bugger then went out into the hallway and laughed his ass off. I was groggy so thought it was believable. That was the best joke he ever played. We still laugh about it to this day. My dad the comedian.

A house struck my dad

Dad was under the deck getting some flower pots out and I took this picture with my blackberry. It looks as if the house fell on him. .....and your little dog Toto too!

First Tattoo

Well I went to my appointment I made on the weekend to get my tattoo. At first I was chicken and almost didn't go. Then I had to sit in the waiting room for a good 10 minutes and was getting more nervous as the time went by. But I stayed and met with Trevor who was the artist that was going to do the tattoo. He had the design right but the name wrong so he went and fixed that.

He set everything up and I laid down on the table. He was nice to ask if this was my first tattoo and before he started he told me what he was going to do. Outline first - he did a bit then stopped and asked if I was ok. I was and it didn't really hurt. It was more of an annoyance than anything.

Not even an hour later and I had my beautiful tattoo. I almost cried because I love it so much. Now I have my tattoo in remembrance of Cali.

I got it on my right wrist as I wanted to be able to see it daily.

Mom freaked as I knew she would but she'll get over it. Dad likes it but not the spot it is in.

OH WELL I'M HAPPY! I might have to get more now.

Trip research on old and other stuff

Well might trip research has been put on hold for a while. I still want to do it but with the economy the way it is and me not doing anything at work since December, I need to keep my money in the bank. Plus I'm needing to save money so I can get a place when Snoopy goes - hopefully not for a long, long time - but with places being SO expensive, every penny counts.

I've been dreaming of Cali a lot lately. Weird dreams where she leaves me again.

The first dream was at a cottage or on a beach/lake. It also involved a hockey rink with a huge hole at the one end. I actually think we were playing hockey on a glacier. Anyways I remember telling the next team to watch the ice as there is a few holes you have to skate around. Anyways, after coming out of the rink we heard that there was a bomb somewhere on the property or complex. First thing I thought of was Cali back at our "place" and tried to get there to get her out. It was too late as that is where the bomb was and she blew up in it. I woke up crying.

The next dream Cali was gone and I was walking to work going through the usual basement in the parking lot behind Gulf Canada Square. There was a girl who was holding a bundle but I did not notice. I walked on and then I heard her howl. I'll never forget her howl. It is ingrained in my brain and if I think about it I can hear her now. I ran back and there she was - ALIVE! She was skinny as when she died and her belly was still shaved but she had little red dots on her stomach. We were so glad to see each other and I got nothing but kisses from her. It was as if she was a little puppy again. Then I woke up. No Cali, just the memory.

I wanted to get my dreams analyzed to see why I was dreaming of her and found some explanations:

"To see the dead in your dream, forewarns that you are being influenced by negative people and are hanging around the wrong crowd. You may suffer material loss. This dream may also be a way for you to resolve your feelings with those who have passed on.

If you dream of a person who has died a long time ago, then it suggests that a current situation or relationship in you life resembles the quality of that deceased person. The dream may depict how you need to let this situation or relationship die and end it.

To see and talk with your dead parents in your dreams, represents your fears of losing them or your way of coping with the loss. You want that last opportunity to say your final good-byes to them.

To see your dead sibling, relative, or friend alive in your dream, indicates that you miss them and are trying to relive your old experiences you had with them. In trying to keep up with the pace of your daily waking life, you dreams may serve as your only outlet in coping and coming to terms with the loss of a loved one."

I do terribly miss her and think of her every day. I love that little monster and always wonder that if I didn't make the choices I made - moving to Winnipeg, losing our house in Calgary - that she might still be with us.

2009 Vacation - Places almost confirmed?

So I thought that I'd narrowed down the list of 43 places I'd like to see in 2009 due to having an Unusual Attraction - World's Largest or Roadside Giant..... BUT then I did some more research today and found more! I believe my list is up to 80+ locations. I've started a spreadsheet on this. This is gonna take longer than I thought!

2009 Travel Adventure

Well I was bored yesterday at work as AGAIN! I had nothing to do (sitting around for 8 hours looking at a screen can get tedious) when I came across the Travel Alberta website. There it listed unusual attractions. I thought, "Hey, I like the unusual!" and started looking at them. Some of the main ones are World's Largest Easter Egg in Vegreville, World's Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller..... and the list goes on.

So I thought to myself, "Self, you don't have any vacation plans this year so why don't you go see a few of these?". I looked at the list and it grew - why only go look at the popular ones? Why not see ALL that Alberta has to offer? Beside the website having "World's Largest" it also had "Roadside Giants". So after spending the afternoon looking up the locations and creating my own map in Google Maps, I have come up with 39 places I want to visit this year to get pictures of these locations!

After work, yes I left early because I couldn't stand being bored anymore, I went to the Visitor Information centre at the base of the Calgary tower and got some handouts on various locations/attractions in Alberta. On the train ride home I started looking through these and have found MORE locations I need to see to visit these Unusual Attractions! This is gonna be fun.

So I'm going to be doing research and will document my final list once I get it complete. I pulled an old Alberta Road Map out of my car and will be marking the places I want to go. Since these places are S-P-R-E-A-D-O-U-T all over Alberta, I'm gonna have to do these in groups. Some will be day trips, that way Snoopy will get used to traveling even though I doubt she'll have any problems. I want to also have a few weekend trips in there as well.

I think this is going to be a great adventure for the Snooper and I. Now just to find a cheap RV/van would make it all the better!

Let the ADVENTURE BEGIN!

Forever in My Heart

Cali
(Mojave Desert California Dream)

June 8, 1998 - November 12, 2008

Pawprints in my Heart
By Kimberly de Montbrun

My lap is too too empty, and cold
the soft resting head no longer there to warm it.
No comfort to be found, no furry body to stroke
my quiet companion gone....

My heart is broken, there are no other words
to write it - this empty ache, this space
you filled, loving always, never judging...
My friend has left, and my hands, arms, all
helpless to stop it.

Little one, fly free, where the fields are green
and filled with friends gone before. I will
carry you always, your pawprints ever beating,
running joyously to greet me whenever I call
and memory stirs in my heart...

One day...

It has been 1 day since my sweet angel Cali has gone. The hole in my heart seems to be huge and I doubt it will ever heal.

I miss the sweet angel kisses she used to give. I can still feel her little head in my head as she passed away to join others waiting for us.

Snoopy didn't sleep well either last night. We both awoke a lot and just stared at each other. She moaned a few times as I have done.

Cali's presence, essence, life is missed. I know my sweet angel is no longer suffering and I had to let her go.

I will never forget November 12 @ 10am. The day she left is etched in my soul.

Rest in Peace My Sweet Cali Girl

After a short battle with a growth on her spleen, Cali went to the rainbow bridge today.

Cali fell ill on my birthday - September 14, 2008 - Cali seemed to go down hill from there. Poor little girl had many expensive visits to the vet to find out that she had a growth on her spleen. She had a blood transfusion that gave her an extra month with me, but her poor little body could no longer hang on. Watching her waste away to nothing, stop eating and drinking was very painful.

I will miss you my dear angel.
I love you and hurt so much words can't express my feelings.

October 2, 2008

March 1999

Cali eating an Alligator - June 14, 2001

Funny Snoopy Story

Funny story from last night.....

Somehow Snoopy got into the pillowcase of my big body pillow and couldn't get out. I woke up with her wiggling in it. I tried pulling her leg to show her the way but that never helped. I had to pick up the pillow by the seam and drop her out of the pillow case. It sure was funny.

Poor Cali got woken and I'm sure she thought I was nuts! If I could have just taped it, it would have been a priceless video.

Rest in Peace Aunt Phyllis

Aunt Phyllis in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - January 25th, 2007

Aunt Phyllis died today. Mom was there and is taking it hard. I guess Phyl wanted to go to the bathroom and they had a hard time getting her on the toilet. After she got settled she died.

In less than a week of being diagnosed with acute leukemia she is gone.

It is hard to image just over a month ago she came back from driving her motorhome to Texas by herself!

Dad is flying out tomorrow on the red eye so will be looking after Paige and the house until they come home.

I was really lucky that we were able to see her and spend time with her when she came to Rod's wedding in January last year.

Cars, Cars and more cars...

Well I've been searching for a new vehicle for 2 weeks now and have finally narrowed it down. I wanted a small SUV type vehicle to replace my beloved Subaru Forrester. My car wanted to be a pole dancer, but slide into it instead. Poor thing was written off but after 9 years I think it was time to say good-bye.

So I searched on Consumer Reports and last weekend went to the car show where I was able to sit in and look at all the vehicles that interested me. Thanks to Rod for telling me about the show and suggesting I go and take a look. Saved me from driving all over the city looking at vehicles.

I narrowed my search to two vehicles - the Saturn Vue and Nissan Rogue. Today I went and test drove them both.

First was the Rogue. It is higher off the ground than my Subaru but I was able to see over the dash and front - major points for me. The seat is adjustable - both front back and up down. The vehicle I test drive was very nice, easy to see all round and quiet on the Deerfoot. I really enjoyed the drive.

Next was the Vue. It was even higher off the ground and had a larger cargo area than the Rogue. Again I was able to see over the dash and front. The test drive didn't go as well. The vehicle felt tinny and was noisy on the Deerfoot. The only good points with this vehicle were the 0% financing and the ability to use some of mom & dad's GM points.

My decision has now been made and I am going for the Nissan Rogue. Monday I need to get a hold of the insurance company to find out where my money is for my Subaru. I want to be in my new vehicle by next weekend.

I'm still torn on the colour - either orange or the blue. Let's see what comes of this week.

Pictures from the Dominican Republic

Oldest Church in the Americans

Shop at local market

Shop in Santo Domingo

Forgiveness Cross - touch it for 5 seconds and all your sins will go away.

Mom trying to get arrested.

View from Christopher Columbus' son's house

The new Mrs. Annik Henry-Rattray and Mr. David Rattray - CONGRATS!

Beautiful beach and water.

Dad having a cold one.

Mom on the stairwell.

Leaving Punta Cana

Well we are in the hotel lobby - actually in an air conditioned room where you access the internet - waiting for our bus to come and pick us up. This time I can't wait to get home. This hasn't been the most fun trip. Everyone got sick and last night it was my turn. My stomache has been sore but I haven't physically gotten sick.

For a resort that is only 3 years old, this place is horrible. I stayed at better 2 star hotels in Peru than here. If anyone wants to know if I'd recommend this place it definitely will be a big NO!

I am going to write a big comment for anyone wanting to come to this resort on the internet when I get home.

The trip to Santo Domingo was OK, but when you went into any sites - Church, Columbus' son's house, etc. - there were way too many people to really enjoy or even hear what the guide was saying. I tried to stay back to get some pictures, but then I still had to fight for a good shot then run to catch up with the group. The old city was interesting. Our guide was opinionated and there were very rough roads.

The shopping wasn't the greatest either. Here I've heard people say it was good and it sounded like an open "flea" type market. we went into 3 stores - that's all we had to choose from.

The first market was run by Chinese people with only a few Dominican items in it. The second was more of a shopping mall type where you could not haggle and the third was an expensive 'designer' jeweler type shop. Needless to say I was very disappointed.

The other day we went to the little shopping centre just outside the resort. It had plenty of shops, but they all had the exact merchandise in it. Again very disappointing. I did buy a Dominican flag for $20 as that was about the only unique item there.

The paintings are all the same, the merchandise is all the same, the food is all the same - NOT a very fun trip this time.

You would at least think they had coconut here, but on no. I came all this way, paid good money and got crappy service, horrible food and a room that smelt like poo.

I can't wait to get home, see the girls and get back to a regular routine. To be able to sleep in my own bed tonight will be heaven. No more sore hips, neck and shoulder from a hard bed.

Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana

Well today is day 3 in the Dominican and it is not like last year.

First the resort is not very impressive. Dad kept reading bad things on the internet and I told him to make his own judgements. Well we should have listened to all the internet reports.

For a resort that is 3 years old it feels and looks at least 10 years. Jacki could have done a better tile job, there are huge cracks in the walls - not very impressive.

The food is the same every day in the buffet. I'm tired of it already. Plus everything is COLD! Cold eggs, cold meat, cold everything. We were at the seafood restaurant last night and everything was again COLD.

Mom got sick the other day from the main buffet and dad last night from the Chinese. I didn't feel great from the seafood but was better today. We went to the Mexican/Dominican buffet tonight and it was the first time I've eaten hot (temperature wise) food. The fruit isn't that good either - not ripe!

I did have a good bowl of coconut sherbet and a few coconut macaroons. Other than that, nothing is good.

To get a second cup of coffee for breakfast it is like asking for someones first child - next to impossible.

The staff is rude and lazy, service for anything is horrible, the "shopping" is disgraceful - on and on it goes. The Gran Bahia is 10 times better and we'd love to switch resorts.

The beach is OK but it is very corally so you have to be careful. The only thing I've enjoyed has been snorkeling daily.

There are a lot of shit just on the coral so it is fun watching them. I've seen white/transparent fish from a few inches to a few feet, to large round blue ones that are very fast. I then saw some with long noses but very slim bodies. There are also a lot of small yellow and black stripped fish. Anyways, lots of fun.

I miss the girls but am enjoying the relaxing beach and sand. We might go off the resort shopping tomorrow as the wedding is in the afternoon.

End of Radiation and Other Problems

Well dad had his last radiation treatment yesterday. He had no problems or affects thank goodness. We can now sigh and take a deep breath. He seemed to have faired really well. I hope that this is the end of illness for him.

Mom - thankfully - has been healthy and in good spirits. She is full of piss and vinegar so that's a good sign.

My car was not towed this week so I'm hoping it gets picked up this week. If everything can be done while I'm in Punta Cana, I'd be a very happy girl.

I'm starting to worry about Cali as I think she is starting to get worse. She is drinking a lot of water again. Dad even mentioned this in the morning. This evening Cali shook her head and I heard the telltale sign of ear problems - water or sloshing when she shook. I cleaned her ears this evening and they weren't that bad. Her left ear was more watery as if she just got out of the water - neither very brown and dirty.

I have to do a 12 hour glucose test tomorrow so let's hope she is better than last weeks.

I keep having this horrible feeling that she isn't going to be here when I get back from Punta Cana. We leave this Thursday and part of me does not want to go.

Snoopy has been fine but I know she senses something is up. I also feel she is getting senile in her old age but maybe I'm reading too much into things and am paranoid on any little change.

I never realized that dealing with dogs as they got older would be sooooooo hard. I keep feeling the inevitable is going to happen at the next corner and it really frightens me. I love them too much.

Stories from Mom's Childhood

I was talking with mom on the weekend and she told me two stories I thought I better write down before they got lost.

Story #1
When mom was in school (before grade 9) she went to a one room schoolhouse. It had grades 1-8 in it. She remembers that every Christmas they would always put on a Christmas pageant. They would sing and put on plays for their parents. She said that 2 weeks before Christmas men would come and build a stage, blocking the chalkboards for the teacher. They would sing songs and then Santa came, giving each of them 1 gift and a bag of candy.

She also had a teacher who was always cold and wore a sweater. One day Aunt Judy asked this teacher if she could put on her sweater as she was cold. The teacher told her NO. Mom then said to Judy - "Go put on your sweater". At that point the teacher told mom to leave as she was expelled.

Mom ran all the way home and told Grandma what happened. Grandma drove mom back to school and had words with the teacher. She said that if anyone was cold they could put on their sweaters. Mom was back in her seat and no longer expelled. What a bad seed! :)

Story #2
Mom remembers having a dog named Collie. It was about 1 year old when it came to live with them. A neighbour had bought the dog and came for a visit. The dog latched onto mom and wouldn't leave so the neighbour said "It looks like you got yourself a dog Alice".

I guess it was a very smart dog. When Grandma was gathering the pails to go milk the cows, the dog would go and round up all the cows and bring them home. It learnt this by watching mom and the others go get the cattle when Grandma got the milk pails.

This dog was also a good watchdog. If there was no one on the farm, the dog would wait in the driveway for them to return home. One of the farm pictures has this dog standing in the driveway waiting for them to come home.

Collie lived a long life and when it got older and couldn't walk, Grandma took it to the woods and shot it. She did this one day when mom was at school because the dog was in pain.

This brought tears to mom's eyes when she told me this story. She said it was the best dog ever.

Weird Dream

I had this strange dream this morning and it got me thinking. Cali woke me up at 3:20am to go outside. We came back to bed and I tossed & turned. I did finally go back to sleep and this is where I had my very real and vivid dream.

We - Cali, Snoopy & I - were living in a basement of mom and dad's house. The house wasn't the current one, nor was it a house I've even been in or seen.

Anyways they were having renovations done when somehow the hand railing that was being taken down collapsed the whole house. It was weird as it was in slow motion and the house was falling down - one wall at a time. This did give us time to get out of the house safely though.

I had to go back into the house as I needed to get Cali's insulin and my purse so I could have my wallet. The reno guys helped me downstairs but the door to my room was closed and an eerie glow came from around it. OK here is the weird part. The door opened and you could see 2 graves and a whole bunch of satanic stuff. I didn't want to go in as none of my stuff was there. So I ran out and was climbing out of the hole which used to be the house when one of the workers grabbed me and wanted me to look at and take what he found down there. It was wrapped in his handkerchief. I helped Cali out of the hold and knocked his hand away.

The girls & I ran away trying to find mom & dad but came upon them leaving in a horse trailer and truck. I was told (by whom I don't know) that they found a place to stay and I better get out of the cold as it was going to snow.

It then turned dark real fast and started to snow. So the girls and I walked trying to find a phone to call for help.

Cali was getting disoriented because she is going blink, so I had to find a rope or something to keep the girls safe. They did have their collars on which they normally don't while in the house.

I found a rope but was about to get caught for stealing it so we ran.

I tried to use several people's phones to make a call to John & Sheila but no one would let me. Also I didn't know their phone number off the top of my head.

That is when my alarm went off and my dream ended. It did get me thinking of would I be prepared in an emergency? Would I have everything I needed? What would I need?

Scary Evening

Tonight I had the scare of my life. Cali went into hypoglycemic shock. It was very frightening and I didn't know what to do. Even though I read the symptoms and knew something was definitely wrong, dealing with it is completely different. I panicked and freaked as I didn't know what to do or how the outcome would be. It didn't help that Jacki was yelling orders when she know what to do and expected me to be able to do and handle it like her. She made me so made I felt like hitting her. I was frantic as I've never had to deal with something like this before - I've never even seen anything like it before.

Cali was drinking a lot of water and then was like she was drunk as she couldn't even sit without falling over. It was truly scary and I was paralyzed with fear.

After getting her blood sugar up by giving her corn syrup, she stared to come around. It was as if nothing happened.

Fires, peeing and childhood memories

I was chatting with dad this evening and he told me a story about his dad as he doesn't remember much about him. He does remember getting a spanking from him for burning down a lumber yard. It wasn't big and it was part of the general store. He doesn't remember much other details of this incident.

The general store was owned by his childhood buddies parents. He remembers the two of them stealing candy from the store and easting it in the woods.

This friend of his also lived above the store. It was a French family. His buddy had his own room and dad remembers his buddy used to stand on his bed and pee on the walls. Nice friends dad!

They used to go swimming and fishing in the river all the time.

Dad has a whole bunch of stories like this that I wish he would write down, but he won't. I will try to capture them as best as I possibly can.

Highs and Lows

What a day of highs and lows. I was on the internet this morning and dad & I got the lottery numbers. We didn't check the ticket. Mom saw the numbers and got excited. She didn't believe the numbers so went to the 'net herself and verified them. We got 5 out of 6 numbers! We were all excited and tried to figure out what we won. Dad said about $10 and I thought about $200. We checked the webpage and saw we won 4.75% of the pot. Here we figured we won $712,500!

Excited we called Jacki. I even made sure she was sitting down. She couldn't believe it and was going to look into it when she went to Brenda's office. We hung up the phone and had breakfast. Making all these wonderful plans was exciting. After breakfast Jacki called back. I went to have a shower and never got to talk to her. When I came up dad said not to hurray as we didn't win the huge amount we thought. Jacki had looked into it further and found out that there were 175 winning tickets that had 5/6 numbers. Our spoils shrank. So instead of winning $712,500 we won about $2,100. Divided by the four of us, that was $500 each. There goes the down payment on my condo!

We were all gloomy after that. Oh well, guess I have to go to work tomorrow now. :(

GlobalFest Fireworks Finale

I took mom and dad to the fireworks finale at Elliston Park last night. I was worried mom wouldn't be able to go, but she did great. With all the walking we did, we'll see how she fairs tomorrow.

I hope and think they had a good time. The fireworks were OK and I've seen better, but it was their first time. The only complaint was that it was just too short. A half hour does go by fast.

I was impressed by the bus transportation to and from the event. They were quick and efficient. All in all it was a good time despite the little rain we got hit with.

Mom's Surgery

Today was mom's surgery on her legs. I thought they would be home from Canmore around 5pm, so I left work early to have the dogs settled down and to help dad. Well 5pm came and went. I tried calling mom's cell but there was no answer. At around 6pm dad called saying that they weren't releasing mom but all was OK. Of course I worried.

At 7pm mom called and said they were on their way home and should be there in a couple of hours. She sounded groggy.

They finally got home at around 9pm. Mom looked horrible and reminded me so much of Grandma it was freaky. She also was this horrible grey colour. We got her into bed and I fed dad. We were all in bed by 9:30pm. It was a long day for all, but I think dad had it the worst. He had to sit around all day waiting and worrying by himself.

Jacki had called several times throughout the night so I kept her updated. I am very disappointed in my brother who never bothered to call even after I called and left him a message.

My Dad meets the INTERNET!

A funny story..... This evening, as soon as I got in the car, dad said something about wanting me to teach him to use the computer. After all his shows were watched, I took h im into the office and showed him how to use the computer and get onto the internet. He did really wll for a one finger typist. He got notes, asked questions and got excited when he knew how to do something. We got 2 bookmarks in there and found some information he was looking for.

Dad, being the loving goofball he is, even created himself a sticky note with the word GEEK on it. He stuck it onti his shirt.

So dad is now on his way to surfing the internet. Look out world (OK mostly mom!).

The results are in

Well Cali has diabetes, poor girl. I had to go to the vets to get shown how to give her the shots that she needs. Right now she will need 2 shots per day for the next two weeks. We'll re-evaluate in two weeks time. I'm hoping she will now start to turn around and get back to her old happy-go-lucky self. I miss that Cali girl.

On the plus side Snoopy seems to be her old self again. She had the huge grin on her face today when I came home.

Expensive habit...

Well I had to take Cali to the vet yet again today. She stopped eating her non-allergenic food about 3 days ago and just hasn't been herself. She has been sluggish and just very sad. Since the beginning of the year I've spent over $1000 on medication and treatments. Tonight was only $493.91! She had blood tests taken hoping to rule out Addison's or Cushings disease. Poor little girl.

At least her ears are clearing up and her skin looks better.

We should get the results tomorrow and I'm hoping we can do something so she isn't so sad and listless anymore!

Easter Breakfast

A tradition in the Jenkins family.