What's Happening in YOUR neighborhood today, part 10

Sounds like an awesome visit ahead for you Susan .. and, BUSY ^_^ I'm sure DD and SIL will have a great time.

LOL, Don, that lil rain cloud would fit right in here in Thunder Bay .. just have to add a blowing wind. Happily the temps have remained ABOVE freezing ..

Planning on hitting up a Dollar Store for MORE 'cheater glasses' .. there has to be some kinda 'fairy' that invades this house at night and puts these darned gasses somewhere other than they're supposed to be !!! My best bud just got her contacts says she is very happy with them .. I think I'm too squeamish .. may go for a test run though !!

Hoping everyone has a better than best day .. TGIF !!

~M~

Happy Saturday everyone .. the S*** started falling here about half an hour ago .. nothing too amazing as of yet, but, the wind has also increased in velocity .. so .. I am imagining we MAY get a bit of a 'dump' .. 2-4cm is predicted.

Got SIX pairs of cheaters (specs) yesterday .. had to laugh as the 2 people in line behind me at the Dollar Store have the SAME ' eyeglass stealing Fairy in their homes too !!! LoL

Landfill day today (aka 'The Dump') if the weather gets too unpredictable (road conditions) it'll wait til Tuesday ..

Have a 'STELLAR DAY' everyone ^_^

~M~

morning, quite the weekend..

Off at 1:00 on Fridays so stayed int he city and did some more
Christmas shopping...

Saturday had a full class doing Victorian Santa's..left about 2:00pm and I still had mega energy so went Christmas shopping again..doesn't take long when some of the are snowmobile trail permits at $180. each..didn't take long to spend the money I had made that day..lol..easy come/easy go right?

As I'm trying to get all my shopping done before end of Nov. thought that as I had to meet my mom Sunday morning at 10:30 in Barrie I'd spend the rest of the day doing more...called her at 8:30..thought she was playing with me, asked who I was, where I lived etc. so after 10 minutes I soon realized she hadn't a clue as to who I was...after her calling me every 5 minutes for total of about 10 times asking me same I got Step Father to meet me in Barrie, after much todo got her to Barrie
Hospital..there went the full day...she did have a minor stroke (if a stroke can be minor) they did not keep her in for 2 reasons...1-she's from out of town and felt that her seeing her own doctor would be more beneficial and not so disruptive as to create more problems...

2nd she wouldn't be alone last night..Jim would keep close tabs on her and rush her in to Brampton hospital is he saw more signs...

Too late to shop and didn't get home until late..

There went that weekend...

Snow at home this morning...up until Barrie then roads cleared..thank goodness..calling for more maybe tomorrow then warming up slightly again..only 14 more travel days to Toronto so let's hope we make it through without major blizzard..

Heading out to Banff this am - my DD & SIL were both going to go with us, but he's a tech, and the server went down in their home town (Winnipeg) and he's stuck on my system trying to fix it........... but she's still going with us, cuz she'd never been to Calgary OR Banff.

Heading out now :-)

-Susan_

Betty .. sure do hope all turns out well for your Mom .. I guess they think she had a TIA .. which is just medical lingo for a 'slight stroke' Good thing you picked up on it and someone is staying with her.

Our snow 'storms' amounted to a dusting .. the temps are way down and we have WIND making them feel even more frigid.

Glad at least your daughter was able to go along with you to Banff Susan .. she'll LOVE it :-)

Meeting in the city tonight .. best get a move on ..

Take care

~M~

Went to Banff, you're right, my DD did love it.
Only thing was, I lost my bank card there, and it wasn't until I got home to Calgary that I discovered the last time I used it was at the Gondola. Emailed them, and when they told me they had it, we dropped off my DD & SIL @ the airport this am, and drove back to Banff to retrieve my bank card LOL
I know, I know - I could have gone to the bank and gotten a new one, but then I wouldn't have seen a herd of elk and gotten so many pics of them :-)

Susan .. so happy you were able to retrieve your bank card !!! And .. I think you did the right thing in going back to Banff for it rather than just having it replaced .. that is quite the picture and, an AMAZING memory you made ^_^
Bank Cards .. what would we do without them .. but OH MY how they do seem to be SO 'misplaceable' .. I'm not even going to mention how many I've had over the years !!

Remembrance Day services here in Thunder Bay were wonderful .. cooperative weather and oodles of people attending at the 4 sites. School children were bused in, and, I have noticed, with pleasure, over the past few years, that the children really do seem to 'get' what the Services are about.

Have my Hospice Client today and GRADUATION NIGHT from the Hospice Course is tonight .. have just ONE more class next week that is an 'add on' .. I am looking forward to being free and at home on Wednesday evenings .. pretty dark out there driving in the country.

We have had sunny(ish) days the last few days .. today looks to be not as cool and a few more clouds ..

Take care all

~M~

Thank you, Marilynne!

Well, it's back to work for a 3 day week LOL
Sure was nice to take Monday off as well :-)

It's not even 12:30 and already 13c (higher than they said it would be, so I'm happy!) Going to go outside & enjoy the weather during lunch :-)

Still rainy here. We are heading out bright and early tomorrow morning to our winter home in Arizona. I'll be able to catch up when we arrive down south. Enjoy your day where ever you are. ^_^

Afternoon, dark outside but it's that time of day isn't it..

"M" mom seems to be doing fine and yes TIA is what the doctor said..I called the day after and asked when her appt. with her doctor was, said she had not called because if she did, then if we go to Florida at Christmas she'd not get insurance..I could just shake her sometimes...but, if you know my mom you'd know it's no use arguing with her..can't believe she agreed to go to the hospital with me on Sunday...

Coming to work this morning near Oar Lake you could see all the trees dusted in snow but that is about it...they are calling for a few flakes but none the will amount to anything yet..

I keep praying, 12 more days of travelling to the city, could we possibly make it through without having a blizzard? Sure am hoping!

Sitting here working on Victorian santa faces, also gathering gowns/sleeves for them, painting class tonight, another workshop Saturday and the following Friday so still have lots to do...

Safe travelling Don...

Not such a bad day yesterday which was nice for the outdoor services. I watched on TV.

In the afternoon I journeyed cross town to the home of a sheltie breeder. She has been looking after some dogs for a lady who is in the final stages of cancer and 2 of them are turned over to Sheltie Rescue to rehome ( unfortunately the other 2 have to be PTS) , So although I am not fostering these 2 I needed to get pics and the paperwork done etc and then the breeder had 2 litters of pups - now 6 weeks old so of course I had to do some socialising with the pups!

The two we are rehoming are a sweet little 7 yr old and her 2 yr old daughter. They are rather shy at the moment - the past year has been difficult for the dogs with their owner in and out of hospital so they have been shuffled back and forth a lot but once they are settled in a new home they should be fine. We think they may go together.

An even nicer day today so I have been out raking leaves once again. Mostly they get raked onto the flower beds but I bag a few to use in the front yard - no trees there. My willow does not drop all its leaves until early Dec. so whenever there is a good wind the back lawn is covered.
( And it does make it difficult to pick up after the dogs!)

This morning I had an 'interview' with somebody from the hort society - my garden will be featured in one of the winter newsletters.

Linens and Things is going out of business and the sales started this week. I bought a couple of heavy long drapes to use over my front door ( becausemetal doors are always so cold in the winter ) and the stairwell to the basement which does not have a door.

Heres a pic of the 7 yr old we are rehoming.

Gosh Carol .. that Sheltie is beautiful .. they always look so gentle .. hoping she gets a very good home .. and congrats on having your garden featured in the newsletter ... makes all the hard work seem SO worth it ..

Grey rainy day here .. seems to be the norm for now .. far as I am concerned .. NO SNOW and a temp of 42F on November 13 is fine with me ^_^

On with VCARS tomorrow .

Hope eveyone enjoys their evening

~M~

Isnt she lovely - she is very small - just what I like! Good thing I am not tempted!
And now we have two more coming 10 mos and 18 mos old. Pouring shelties here! The good news is we may have two new foster homes ( one in Edmonton area which is very helpful!) and we probably wont have any problems rehoming these dogs.

Weird weather today - cool and cloudy and then it started getting cooler and suddenly about 4pm it was snowing! And just as suddently it was not snowing!
Very strange.

Tomorrow the dog groomer comes and also will be setting up for the Canine Xmas Market this weekend at one of the local dog training centres. My car is packed as I store everything in my basement .Fortunately dont have to take our own tables this time. So will be working there most of the weekend in the Rescue booth. Hope we make some $$!

I am not fostering anybody from this latest group because I have boarder for 10 days who arrived tonight - her name is Freedom. Shes been here a couple times before - last time she was so overweight she looked like a balloon. I gave her Mom H...L
and now she is looking quite slim!

Jeez .. this breed just 'melts my heart' .. they always look so timid and placid .. unlike Lilly who is a tad 'high strung' at times.
The grooming factor could be a a bit worrisome though I can imagine .. they would HAVE to be well brushed and combed to avoid matts ..
Good luck with the Xmas Market .. I see in our paper that PAWS is having their annual 'Breakfast with Santa' this Saturday .. don't know if I'll get there or not .. it's one of their big fundraisers.

Not sure what's in store re the weather .. the windchimes are banging around so it's windy for sure .. and .. as it was a full moon last night, I do believe that heralds a change in the weather .. no doubt a 'cooling trend'.

TGIF ^_^

~M~

OMG just adorable...heart goes out to you parting with these beautiful animals..sister does the same with American Eskimo dogs...I know myself I'd get to attached I'd never be able to let them go, but lordy, how could one keep them all?

Always donate to local fund raiser's for doggie shelters...there is a lady in our town, in her mid 80's who takes on the responsibility of all types of abandonned animals..she's getting old..much of the time people drop them off at her doorstep knowing full well she'll keep them is she can't find a home and what's worse is usually all are in need of vet services..

Yollanda is such a lovely lady, much has been written in the papers about her..sometimes I think she doesn't eat in order that the animals do...

Fancyvan, thanks for all you do for these animals!

Overcast here in the city, calling for rain (possible flurries) all weekend..I'm off at 1:00 and will go to the toy wharehouse with Suzanne so probably not get home till supper time

Hi all ..

Did go to the PAWS breakfast, have received my first OFFICIAL Xmas kiss from Santa ^_^

Not much to say with regards to our ?weather? .. No snow is a plus .. but quite chilly to be sure.

I am so grateful I am not living in or near Los Angeles .. how horrible for those folks who have lost homes and posessions in the immense and pervasive wildfires .. I sometimes have to turn off the news coverage as I feel so helpless. Kind of makes being 'chilly' a moot point !!

Betty .. I think every city has a 'Yolanda' .. our Yolanda is 'Peggy' and she has taken in stray/harmed and injured animals for eons it seems .. seems every so often someone will take up her cause, and a fundraiser will be held to help her out. The city vets have been kind enough to waive their fees for her. In fact .. some of the PAWS monies made at the breakfast will go to Peggy. She is QUITE elderly .. one shudders to think what will happen when she can no longer care for these furry & feathered beings.

UGggggggggg .. my housework has AGAIN 'snuck up on me' .. so .. after another cup of coffee I'll be hauling out the buckets and mops and assorted toxic chemicals .. lol .. however .. once it's done I'll be happy it is ~~~


Cheers

~M~

Well snow - not unexpected - overnight. Looks rather wet.

Business at the Xmas Market yesterday rather slow although we covered our expenses and made a bit. But it was the big football game and also the Santa Claus Parade downtown. Hope today is better despite the snow.

My dog groomer, booked for Friday morning called me just before to say her dogs had kennel cough and maybe she better not come! So cancelled until her dogs are clean- probably another couple weeks! Lots of hairy feet around here. Freedoms mom doesnt do much grooming , in fact the dogs hates it and fights every inch of the way but her feet were so bad I couldnt stand it so I 'upended' her on the floor Friday and trimmed them off.

Two more foster dogs arrived Friday evening. so we have 4 now although I dont think it will be hard to find homes for them. And, partly as a result of the Xmas Market we have a couple new offers to foster and some offers to help with transport. Much needed as they are mostly outside the city! All the dogs have to be spayed/neutered. Big vet bills! Fortunately all the vets give us significant discounts.

Here's one of the new dogs. He is apparently quite small and a cuddler. This taken just when he arrived and needs a bath!

Heres the other - this one a big bouncy sociable fellow!

Aren't they beauty's...

OMG blizzard conditions outside..still in my p.j.'s..wasn't going anywhere and was teaching the DG Victorian Santa workshop today so that occupied my time...

Praying like the children do for a snow day tomorrow..only 14 more travel days to Toronto, had hoped the weather would co-operate, but not..Barrie has no hydro, some roads are closed, me, I've got snow coming down and got 3 inside Christmas trees up..lol..so I feel quite cheery except for the prospect of going to work tomorrow...

photo taken earlier this aft. before the heavy snowfall..

Carol .. again .. OMDAWG .. those dogs are just so beautiful !!!

BIG surprise here yesterday .. a knock on the backdoor .. I answered and was greeted by a woman and TWO Westies .. it was Lilly's brother and cousin from up the road (Finnegan and Maggie) and their owner Diana .. WELL .. out the door Lilly went and soon the enclosure was a blur of white LoL .. good thing Finnegan had a blue collar on .. I ran in for the digital camera and I 'THINK' I was successful with maybe a couple of pics .. will find out later this morning when I download them. I actually think that that visit was a highlight of my year ^_^

Betty .. I can count the flakes of snow we have had over the last while .. and .. as we have a septic field, we WANT the snow to cover it for insulation before the temps plummet .
Take care with your drive in.

On with VCARS the next 2 days ..

Hope everyone has a super week ~~

~M~

This message was edited Nov 17, 2008 7:28 AM

Talk about a winter wonderland at home "M"...I was plowed out twice yesterday and it need done this morning..was snowing hard when I left, roads extremely icy until we got south of Barrie...had hoped it would wait till the move....no go..09 more travel days..aren't I anxious..

Glad you made it in Betty ..

I am posting a pic to this site from the WESTIE INVASION yesterday afternoon .. you'll see NO snow here ..

Am going to post the majority of the pics in the Pet Forum ^_^

~M~

Well, my neighborhood has moved from southwest BC to southwest Arizona until March. Oh I so prefer this Zone. ^_^

Arrived on Saturday after a three day, 1600 mile drive. Weather has, of course, been awesome. High today is 82F.

Here are a couple shots from my walk this morning. First, our street in the Rincon Resort here in Tucson.

My little cactus garden, still in the baby stage.

My neighbor's Bougainvillea. It's what my little one aspires to become...I hope.

Another neighbour. Hope they'll share those oranges...

Don .. glad you made it safe and sound and am so happy to hear the temps are as they are .. that is what it's ALL about !!

Wonderful pics and I do hope you get a fresh orange from your neighbour ^_^

~M~

Treacherous on the sidewalks this morning slick layers of invisible ice! We went for a walk ( didnt get to walk these guys all weekend) and had to walk on the street as I almost wiped out just coming out my sidewalk! Got out after and sprinkled ice melt. Hope the streets improve - supposed to warm up this afternoon - as I have to go out this evening - an MRI appointment - beautifully timed so I have to cross town in rush hour - also not allowed food or drink for 6 hours before! Wonderful. Guess I will be eating abig lunch! and then a home visit with a family interested in fostering for ASR.

+I still need to unload the car stuffed with everything from the Canine Xmas Market and store it back in my basement. Sunday morning was dead ( memo to organizers - do not start on Sunday at 9am!)
The afternoon was pretty busy but we didnt sell hardly anything. Well I reckon we made about $250.00 which is the cost of a neuter and of course the two new volunteers to help with transport which is a BIG thing!

What a disappointment, Fancy, to have such a slow sale day!
I suppose it was the weather, too.......
Well, they said it would be 10c, then 15c, but it's 12:30ish, and still only -1c. I don't think we're going to get double-digit weather today lol
I'd looked forward to one more day of "getting rid of the snow" before winter really socks it in!! Ah well, we'll get a chinook and get rid of it later LOL

edited to add my flower update:

I still have violas blooming in my window box, though :-)) I'll have to take a pic tonight when I get home & show you. They're peeking through the snow, hardy little sunshiney things that they are!! Some violet. some bright yellow & some deep purple :-)

This message was edited Nov 17, 2008 1:29 PM

Here's a pic of my violas :-)

And here's a tiny one, just peeping out of the snow!

And then there is this kind of viola. :-)

I am coming up for air. Survived 5 rehearsals and a concert in the last three days. Also got the Canadian Viola Society newsletter to the printer on Friday and back yesterday; so that is being readied for mailing. No breaks. Orchestra #2 has a concert next Sunday and since I've missed some rehearsals with it and since I'm principal viola, I need to do some serious practicing. It will be good advance work though as the main work - Dvorak's Symphony #8 comes up with the other orchestra next March.

Will try to stop by later, but I have 4 students today - two this morning and two this evening. Need to get all my instruments and bows in for appraisal this afternoon as my insurance is due on Friday.

Have a great day.

Ann

3 hr. drive in this morning...yuk...but I will tell you, you couldn't find a prettier site..much damage though to trees, branches and trees snapped because of the weight of the snow..lots of people without hydro..400 was terrible nearing Toronto..they said it was due to weather..think I counted 5 flakes..

Don, how wonderful that you got there safely, and the weather..omg..do wish I was south as well..did love winter but must be the 'getting older' that makes it less appreciated...or maybe just all the driving..

Ann, does sound as though your schedule is busy, but then you never stop do you? How much practice time do you normally do? Is it done at home or at the facility with others in a group? how talented you are!

Fancy so much work goes into these events and then not to have purchasers..know my sister usually has draws, seems they make more $$$ that way..

OMG was -17 when I left home this a.m.
Say the Alberta Clipper is heading this way later this afternoon..should make for an interesting ride home...

Yikes...good luck Betty. Drive carefully.

Still in the mid 80'sF here. Had to get my walk in really early before it gets too hot. Looking forward to water aerobics later. That always cools me down... but my butt and legs get pretty sore from the workout. :( sigh... That's a good thing I guess.

Here's the view of the Santa Catalina Mtns. from our deck.

Yes Betty raffles seem to bring in more money - we did a lot of raffle baskets at Sheltie Nationals in May and I didnt have enough stuff to do nice baskets this time. Maybe next time when we collect more 'stuff'!

I've missed a bit here. I'll catch up on the posts soon. It takes a long to type as I've sprained some fingers in my left hand. I finally went to a Dr. and he was impressed by the amount of bruising and swelling, just my luck. So I'm wearing the splint for at least another 3 weeks. My friend is doing very well after her brain abcess. I'm busy preparing a budget, I'm a volunteer treasurer for a non profit group, with a budget of just over 400,000. It's all given and there's 7 paid staff, it's a nightmare really. Yesterday was sunny and T shirt and no socks in the Birks weather, today is sunny, not a cloud in the sky but a very cold wind. Tomorrow back to our norm of wind and rain.

Linda

OMDAWG Betty ... all I can wish you is 'safe travel' .. we got a 'smattering' of snow over night and there has been a smidge here and there ever since.
Also have heard of 4 or maybe 5 homicides down your way (Toronto) gosh .. makes me happy my bud did move up here ..

Don what a great pic .. reminds me of my trips to Florida to visit my folks when they spent their winters there .. mind you .. I prefer AZ over Florida .. Florida always seemed so humid !! Enjoy your aquabics (it only hurts after the first couple of times) ^-^

Actually had a 'day off' today as my Hospice client had a bad night and didn't want any visitors today. The nursing student I am mentoring is busily studying for exams .. he's a bit of a basket case .. has wonderful bedside skills but goes blank when he has to do the written stuff.

Hope wherever you are, and whatever your doing, you're happy and smiling ^_^

~M~

WHOA ....... by the sounds of the weather reporter and the pics I saw on the evening news .. southern ON is in for a THUMPING of snow !!
Everytime I listen to the reports I think of Betty driving in it .. sure hope you got home OK Betty .. and I am hereby giving you tomorrow off !!!!!

^_^

~M~

Hi everyone

Well, we got dumped on yesterday 5-6 inches in about 5 hours. I remember why I left the Sault when I was younger, and can hardly wait to leave again next summer if all goes well with my retirement plans. I can only hope, that this winter will not have as many snow days as last year. I end up paying a fortune for snow blowing. Today, I did it myself with the snow pusher but when it is heavy and wet, I can't. Hurry April!!! It is an awful thing to wish for time to pass quickly as we get older but except for Xmas , I abhor the snow and winter. Betty which forum are you doing the Santas on. I would love to see your projects.
Sandra