things are heating up

both literally and figuratively.  Finally a day when we can be outside without jackets!  And we are just about ready for the art show this weekend. Today I did a bit of labeling for the pieces I plan to hang, but otherwise we are ready.
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Yesterday was the day they pick up the garbage and, every two weeks, yard waste.  We usually put out our bins the night before, and that was the way it was, except for the big bag from the clean up of the yard.  It didn't go out until  about 8:30am, which I didn't know.  Well, it wasn't picked up, and David fussed about it until this afternoon, when he engaged in his new hobby of phoning the city, where he was bluntly told that if it wasn't out before 7:00am, there was no guarantee.  So it goes back in the garage for another two weeks, as it missed last time too.

As well, the big brooms were on our street yesterday to sweep the pavement of the salt and sand that had been laid down over the winter.  One of them must have been in pretty poor shape as it left a trail of some sort of oily fluid in patches all along the block, including a big pool of it, right at the base of our driveway.  This resulted in another call to the city, who said they couldn't be out to clean it up for a couple of days.  Since many, many cars swing into the street, and use our driveway to turn around, David was worried about them tracking the fluid up on to our driveway.  So-o-o, he put the big plastic bench, usually found in the backyard, at the foot of the driveway, but still on our property.  This worked well, and the cars started using the driveway next door to turn around.  We went to bed secure in the knowledge that our driveway was safe.  Got up and no bench.  We laughed and figured someone must have thought it was there for a "give away" weekend ( on Wednesday??), because it was in pretty rough shape and certainly not worth stealing.  We were off doing our shopping, and came home in the middle of the afternoon, and while putting the car away, David spotted the bench carefully positioned in the neighbour's back yard, amongst the flowers and trees. This is the squirrel hating, wine loving neighbour.  After a bit of a giggle, we decided to leave well enough alone.  

Meeting with friends

We met with the friends from Petawawa yesterday on their travels west to Winnipeg. They sold their house and furnishings and have moved lock, stock and barrel to a yet unknown location in Winnipeg. We met at the Food Court at the Mall, had a nice relaxing time talking and eating I had a terrible greek salad that was awful but I managed to pick at it while listening to all the conversations. We got some pictures, traded promises to keep in touch, promised to call her when I come to Winnipeg at end of year and then away we all went in our separate direction. Cheryl and I met in Victoria and developed a nice relationship while living close, and always seemed to keep it going across the miles but without ever seeing each other because of the distances. Living in Petawawa would have been manageable for a days visit but I never did. How many times we drove Mike back and forth and yet I never made contact with her at those times. Now she will be living in Winnipeg...sigh!
Hotter temps now so the outside work will be possible - expect that with all Harry's plans for today, I shall be busy haha  I should have another coffee now while I can and take stock!  We were also able to visit with Mike and Erin yesterday - had a coffee and visit. Mike was off, and Erin was just going into do an evening shift at McDonalds. She is getting some teaching work but not much. With Mike working 12 hour shifts and she working odd hours, their life is rather hectic but they seem to go with the flow nicely.
So the morning begins....Take care

tough times

There is probably an empty draft from me right now.  I started to post and couldn't continue.  Time has passed.  Danielle came out at 2:30.  It was quick and painless.  It was hard to bury her.  I had the horrible thought in the back of my mind that she wasn't dead yet, but I knew she was gone.  I wish I wasn't such a softie.  the other two dogs have been looking for her.  I know when Chi died Nika looked for a little while,but not long.  I guess it will be the same for JJ and Chace.  Jim has had people here since we started to bury her.  He has been distracted.  I have been thinking about nika.  Tomorrow will be better.  I feel silly feeling so bad.  One of the cast members in Steel Magnolias lost her mom last week.  Life goes on.

Losing a pet

Everything I read tells me that animals somehow sense when death is near.  That being so, we are showing our love when we help it become a quick clean death.  Very hard for us, but a favour to them.  You had her love for a long time, and she lived a relatively long life.  Celebrate your memories.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the ballet to see Gillian in the dress rehearsal for the  two numbers she will be part of for the upcoming Manitoba Dance Festival.  Both numbers were musical theatre genre, as were most of the 30+ numbers I saw.  For the most part well done, but the sound system was poor, and most of the time you couldn't hear the speaking or singing.

It was my first time in the RWB building, and a very nice building it is.  Parts are being renovated, and I had a little trouble finding the entrance, and washroom, but the little theatre itself was  a delight, especially the seats.  Some of the most comfortable theatre seats I've ever used.

Otherwise, I'm working full out on a piece I want to show next weekend.  It's a matter of eat, sleep and work.  But I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'll try to post pictures when it's done.

Not so early Sunday morning

And I am waiting for the sun to brighten a bit before I can go outside to putter.The  heaters are still on and with a bit more sun shining down on them, I should be able to turn them off for the day. I now have two card tables full of plants inside.for overnight.When the temp increasing a bit today they will be carried outside for about 3 hours and then carried back inside. This is to make more room inside the greenhouses which are full to capacity. Oh joy! There is still frost and a bit of snow laying around. I did a bit of raking yesterday but felt the ground fighting back as it is still full of frost, and did not want to yield any leaves etc.
Pati, I finally found a box of Ziploc perfect portions. yeah!. I looked in most of the stores we frequent without luck but in Metro on Friday in Huntsville I got lucky. So I shall try them out as you speak so highly of them. I think it is a neat idea.
I was also grazing on The Quilt Show site and found a very interesting pattern that I have just been able to print off somehow for future use.  It is Fabric Box Tutorial  by Tina Craig. It interests me because I could actually make it without too much trouble ( I think) and I also think that Faith and Pepe could nest in one quite nicely!  Have a look and what do you think?. Cathy, it is on the cover page so you don't even have to log into the site. Just go to The Quilt Show web site and scroll down until you find the tutorial.
Well, it may be timely to head outside now so will sign off. Even to make a coffee and sit outside would be lifting haha!  Take care

Animals are so special for us

Our life with animals reminds me very much of the little poem I cut out when first had my children. I think the words apply as well to the pets we now have filling our hearts and homes :

I'll lend you for a little time
A child of mine, he said:
For you to love the while she lives
and mourn when she is dead
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two,or three
But will you, 'till I call her back,
Take care of her for me.

It goes on for a few more stanzas but speaks to the love we have and give, and the rewards gained in our lives for it and for them.
I am sorry you are having to endure this right now but you have very right to mourn now......

But shall the angels call for her 
Much sooner than we planned
We shall brave the bitter grief
That comes and try to understand .

Our lives are complete with our animals about. I share the enjoyment they bring - I have my 'old'
cat (20 years?) that I cherish but whose quality of life I must always assess -not for me, but for him.
Having your VET come to the house is a real bonus for you - thinking of you all. XX

Sometimes life really sucks

Yesterday we decided that we were keeping our dog Nika alive for ourselves.  I contacted our vet and she said that if she had enough narcotics she would come out on Sunday (travelling Vet.. not a clinic.. she comes to our home so doesn't have all the drugs on hand all the time, but we don't have to take Nika away from home)  I just went to check on Nika.  She is outside (in the shop.. wouldn't come in when we called)  She hasn't eaten in days (what she did have came back up)  She got up when I helped her, but she wouldn't move.  She just wanted to stay there. It is sad, but she is not happy.  I know it sounds awful, but I almost hope she will die soon.  She is so unhappy that if Danielle had to order the drugs in she will suffer more.    Just venting.. I know it is best for Nika, but she has been in our family for  14 years.. she was an abused rescue. She will be 16 in May.  Sometimes I really hate having pets.