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.