Well I'm feeling a little virtuous. Have been taking Ruby for a walk every morning. We go for about 45 minutes and some evenings I take her again but I try to get Greg & Holly to help out too. And this weekend I made 2 cards: a birthday card for my brother-in-law whose party was last night and I altered a pop-up card for Lois at work whose retirement dinner is tomorrow night.

And on Friday night I finally finished reading the book that's been taking me a very long time. It was a great book but not a pleasant read: The Great Stink by Clare Clark, set in London in the mid-1850s when the sewage situation was so bad that people were dropping like flies from cholera, diphtheria etc. and they started to build a sewer system. So that was the background to this tale of "murder and corruption".

So now I have to start reading the book for the next book club, which is Margaret Laurence's Stone Angel. I've read it before, years ago, so I'm hoping I don't find it too tough-going. I don't know what's with me. I used to be able to read a book every day or two but lately that's impossible (although I did read Janet Evanovich's Plum Lovin' in one evening, but it was a novella so doesn't really count). My powers of concentration are kind of lacking. Blame it on hormones!

Had a really fun dinner with my scrapping buddies last week, then dinner out last night and again tomorrow night. Oink! Good thing about those daily walks!!

oops

This smiley picture was taken earlier this evening, before we went for a walk and before she peed on the living room carpet. OK dog owners, what's with that? She didn't go while we were out, but comes home and then goes. We've already had one incontinent doggie and didn't want another one this early on! Any advice would be most welcome...

Day 3

This was the picture the SPCA had on their website and in the paper. Pretty perky looking puppy eh? The vet was just here and she agreed with the 'kennel boy' at the SPCA that Ruby looks more like 7 than 11. Good teeth, good shape overall, never been spayed and never had puppies - like how did that happen??

Sunday morning she let me sleep till 9:00 which was awesome; I wasn't sure how much of an early riser she'd be. Last night though she had an 'accident' in the hallway (at least I'm assuming it wasn't one of the cats). I did not sleep well (that makes 3 nights in a row) and dragged myself out at 7:00 this morning to take her for a walk. Greg says she started crying as soon as I let for work this morning - not realizing that he was still here. I hope she doesn't have any serious separation anxiety.

Welcome Ruby!

Last weekend Greg and I had stopped at the SPCA to say hi to Smokey (the returned foster cat) but he'd already been adopted. So we wandered around a bit and when we went to see the dogs we (well I) were quite taken with an 11-year old border collie cross. Since Layla died in 2002 we've talked about getting another dog, but weren't 100% sure. Then at one point we thought we'd take in a senior dog. We didn't want a puppy (no time or patience for training) but preferred a mature dog. So when we saw Ruby I was tempted. But it was close to closing time so we just left. Talked about it a fair bit this week and today Holly and I went in to meet her and take her home. She's such a good-tempered dog, haven't heard her bark yet, she likes cats (mind you they're not impressed with her!), other dogs, all people, car rides. That's what I know so far!

We first went for a little walk, then to Petcetera for supplies and then down to Greg's shop and to the library. She was a hit everywhere she went.

So when we got home I had to call AM and tell her. And here I am on the phone. Ruby already knows who her mom is!

Happy Valentines Day

Well I've always thought it was kind of an over-rated holiday. My friend AM asked what we were going to do to celebrate... go to parents' night at the high school. Nothing to be envious of that's for sure. But Greg did make a lovely dinner for the 3 of us and we had candles and nice napkins and dishes instead of paper towels & paper plates (don't ask).

And now - it's time for Lost!!!

This week at the library

Well Thursday we had a rousing discussion of Jane Austen's Emma (who would have thought?) at Book Club, where we squeezed into the storytime room since the meeting room was double-booked. I was the only one who hadn't read the whole book, shame on me.

Friday morning the HR manager came down to listen to our complaints about having to deal with the criminal element in the library. In the last month we've had blow jobs in the women's room, a guy masturbating in a teen magazine in the men's room (don't worry the magazine was promptly thrown out), drug deals, incontinence etc. Previous management team member who came down pretty much told us that it wasn't that bad and just to deal with it.

Saturday someone left their drug paraphernalia in the public washroom after cooking up some crack (burnt twigs on top of the toilet paper dispenser, left behind their bag containing spoon, metal plate etc.). Downtown Patrol comes and are just furious that this is going on in the library (as if we aren't).

Sunday - haven't heard anything about it.

Monday - one of our long term regular homeless alcoholics, who has been on the wagon for quite awhile fell off with a vengeance and also fell off his chair in the library. Downtown Patrol arrived too late to escort him out. Immediately after his departure the library director comes in and states that things don't look too bad.

Today we had the Downtown Patrol and the RCMP for a death threat that was uttered to a young man by an older one. But apparently the officer didn't think there was anything to it, and no one was arrested.

This is my new workworld. If I were close to retirement, I'd be outta there, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, we have hours at a stretch when it's nice and library-like in there. One day the place was packed; all seats taken by people who were awake and alert and most even - gasp - reading!

On a happier note, I spent yesterday afternoon at the dentist getting a crown. The only reason this is happy is that afterwards I went to the mall and bought myself a new leather jacket! And a guidebook for NYC...

The high price of health

Whew, went to the naturopath today. Initial visit, just talking and filling in a huge long medical history form, was $95.00! Next on the list: 3 tests which will cost nearly $300 in total. Follow-up appointments are apparently $45 a pop. Yikes! Our extended health plan only covers up to $200 maximum for the year. What to do, what to do... Makes you appreciate the good old Canadian health care system that's for sure. But sometimes the pill-pushing GP just isn't the place to go, so then it's time to go alternative.

Went to see Dreamgirls last night. It was good but I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't realize it was a musical. Like I knew there would be a lot of 'numbers' but not that people would be bursting into song at the drop of a hat. That one song that Jennifer Hudson sings that is really powerful and emotional but goes on and on forever... One of my friends had to go to the w.c. and make a phone call and couldn't believe the song was still being sung when she got back! We had a great dinner at Earl's first - I had the bento box which was delicious - and a margarita. Everyone in town seemed to be there before going to the Barenaked Ladies (would have loved to see them again too...)

Anyway then came home and Greg and I ended up watching a very quirky movie on TV till midnight so today I was wiped and am presently in bed (8:15 pm). I SHOULD be feverishly trying to get Emma read by Thursday but let's face it, it's not happening. I think this will only be the 2nd time in my book club history that I don't get the book read, kind of bad for the leader but there you go. It's a glorified Harlequin romance anyway... Who picks these books? oh yeah that would be me!

Friday night some of us are going for drinks after work but there's also a crop at the store so I'm trying to decide what to do. As my co-worker said oh yeah have a couple of drinks and then drive to Westbank, sounds sensible. Geez it doesn't have to be alcohol!

Enough blathering for tonight. A la prochaine!

tagged

Oh dear thanks a lot Kelli! 6 weird things about me eh? Well let me think...

1. I have some psychic ability. Yes I sometimes know things before they happen. Seriously.
2. When driving I often try to memorize details about the drivers & cars around me and plan escape routes in case there's an accident.
3. I remember phone numbers. From a long time ago. In fact I remember the numbers but don't necessarily remember who they belong to...
4. Nowadays, to remember numbers I use the Dewey Decimal System as a memory aid.
5. I used to choose birthday cards for my Mom by reading the ones in the store till I found one that made me cry. That was always the right card!
6. What's really weird? I just asked Holly and Greg for some weird things about me and they couldn't think of anything...

And darn there's nobody left for me to tag...

But another thing on my mind: A co-worker of mine has a sister who is a scrapper & blogger. He has now found her blog and as a result, can get to mine. So I'd better watch what I say!! Oh don't worry Mark, I only have NICE things to say about YOU...

NYC Here I Come...

Well I just booked my flight to New York for May 11th. Going for a week this time (more duty-free to bring back!). I had such a fantastic time last year that I'm a little apprehensive - how can it be that much fun again? But I have a feeling it will be great. I'll be staying with my friend Mark again and will try to get in touch with a cousin I have who lives in New York - somewhere! And do more wining and dining, a show or two... oh yeah and maybe some shoe shopping!

The cat came back

Well actually he never left. We've been trying to get rid of Smokey for about 3 weeks now but he's just not leaving. First the SPCA called asking if we were ready to give him back but I wasn't sure. Waited a couple more weeks then called to say I was bringing him in. Is he still sneezing? Well (I cannot tell a lie) yes maybe once or twice. No good, he has to go for five whole days without a sneeze. So this week goes by and I never hear him sneeze so I call again yesterday and we have all his stuff packed up. Sorry we don't have any room, can you call back on Monday? No - it'll have to wait till next weekend then. sigh. I mean he's a really lovely cat but requires a LOT of maintenance which we're just not into. So perhaps next weekend he will be a goner...

gimp

So it wasn't middle age (well sort of), flu or whatever else I said. Bursitis! aka 'frozen shoulder'. Suddenly on Tuesday I found myself unable to move my left arm above my waist. Wednesday it wasn't toooo bad and I went to the doctor & got a referral to physio. The doctor also gave me some Celebrex, take one a day she said. Well it's one of those drugs (anti-inflammatory) that takes about 2 weeks to kick in and does absolutely NOTHING for acute pain relief. Wednesday night I'm in absolute agony and can't take anything else for it. So I stopped that and Thursday went back to good old ibuprofen (and the occasional muscle relaxant just for fun). So now it hurts and I don't care.

But after 3 days of non-stop Space Channel (it actually hurt to hold a book) I was bored out of my mind and so today went back to work. As one of my co-workers said "dearie you look like shit, why aren't you at home?". Well I can be in pain here as well as at home (plus it was only one day!) And I have to confess I deliberately didn't wear any makeup just to play up the sympathy angle. I was totally unable to blowdry my hair, had to wash it one-handed (interesting experiment) and going to the bathroom is no longer something to be taken for granted.

But - off to physiotherapy tomorrow and I'm hoping for some quick relief (I know, totally unrealistic). In the meantime, as Tara exclaimed in horror at lunch today: "I can't scrap!!!!"

too much fun

at the crop Friday night! I was amazed at how much I got done - several pages in my New York album. Not that they're anything fancy, not using any patterned paper, and it is only 8.5 x 11 so not many pictures either! But still I would like to get it done before I go again. Which I still can't decide about, but looks like May some time.

Felt pretty much like crap the last couple of days - migraine, middle age, flu - who knows? So today I stayed home. And I watched TV. To be precise I stayed in bed till nearly noon when Greg came home & scared me half to death (didn't hear him come in). He left shortly thereafter and then I got dressed and moved to the couch where I stayed for the rest of the day. I watched The Moonstone (DVD from the library), Andromeda, Stargate, and some British forensic pathologist/cop show. It was actually very pleasant. And now it's just about time to go to bed again once I nag Holly to finish her homework.

Oh I also nearly finished eating the leftover asiago & artichoke dip from Friday...

one good read

This is the book we did for book club last night. I LOVE this book. That was my 2nd time reading it and of course as I'm the one who picks the books I do have a certain advantage. Which I try not to abuse ;)

Most of us at the club loved the book, but there were a few who just didn't 'get it'. The discussion helped some, but not all. I just think it's so clever, the language, storytelling (story within story within story) and it all fits together. Plus it's hilariously funny. At least I thought so!

However I've been fighting a cold all week and last night just burned me out so today I'm at home. Although apparently it may snow tomorrow so I might have to bundle up and head over the bridge to my favourite scrapbook store for a little shopping therapy this afternoon.

How can you not love this face?

Smokey really enjoyed hanging out under the Christmas tree, chewing on the branches (artificial - go figure) and then sneezing his head off. Well we've taken the tree down now and Smokey will be returning to the SPCA (or the bad cat house as Greg calls it) one of these days. I'm quite enjoying him but Vespers just hates him. Holly says she doesn't like him either. Guess it's just Timmy and I who are on his side.

He's just so damn cute!

Old Friends

This is me and Ruth, my oldest friend in the world. (It's a standing joke between us) We've known each other since Grade 7, when I was the 'new girl' at Dixon Elementary. She now lives in Australia, where she's been since I don't remember when, Expo '86 some time I think. Luckily for me, when her parents retired they moved to the Okanagan so when Ruth and her family come to visit, it's not hard for us to see each other. This only happens every couple of years or so. But this year - bloody winter! They're only in Summerland but you'd think it was still Australia with all the difficulty we've had getting together...so near and yet so far.

My phobia about winter driving, and lack of snow tires. Their lack of snow tires and, indeed, much in the way of winter driving experience at all. And all this snow and cold weather!! Ruth and I did have a nice lunch last week when she drove up but then it wasn't until today when I took the bus to Summerland (wussy I know) that we saw each other again and now it's back to work for me and back to Vancouver for them before flying home. sigh.

But it was great to see her, her parents, her husband and 2 lovely daughters. Their kids are incredible - both beautiful and clever. And if Holly had come with me I'm sure Kay and Stan would have felt like they were looking at Ruth and me 35 years ago.

It was only after I got on the bus home that I got a bit weepy. There was still so much catching up to do, we never even drank a bottle of wine! Next time guys - come in the summer!

And this was Boxing Day with Greg's mom, his nephew, wife & 2 kids. Fortunately the nephew knew how to set the self-timer on my camera so we were able to get this group shot (after a few tries). 

Fern's got a brand-new 'do!

I got my hair cut on Friday, kept the length but have layers now instead. I think I must have lost a pound or 2 as a result!

And I have to have a mini-rant about Yahoo Photos which I've been using for a long time but since I upgraded to IE 7, it no longer works. I can't upload photos into it at all. So, I went to Picasa instead and I have to say I'm impressed. Especially with the 'Blog This' feature. I could crop, fix my red eye and post it all in one easy step (well just about). 

Happy New Year!

Well last night has to have been the quietest New Year's Eve on record for us. Greg and I had a couple of glasses of champagne, but other than that we watched TV (Little Nicky), listened to Dick Clark painfully doing the countdown and then went to bed at 12:30! Whoopie...

But that was fine, I didn't really feel like doing anything. I've had an extraordinarily quiet & lazy Christmas holiday this year and although I'm starting to get a little stir crazy, it's not unmanageable.

Still and all, a little more motivation in 2007 would be a good thing...

Snow day

Well it certainly came down in the night didn't it? Greg is even staying home today. I don't think it's snowing right now but it's hard to tell. Maybe Holly will even wear her new cool hat outside; she certainly wore it all day on Christmas but seems a little reluctant to be seen in public.

Merry Christmas one and all!

We're having a great day...I know it's only 2:30 but Greg's into the wine & I'm into the Baileys. Claire is over and she and Holly are on the computer - doing what I'm not sure. Quake 4?? Lots of presents all round, and a big feed of french toast for breakfast (plus a little of the chocolate from the stockings).

So the SPCA called me on the 23rd wondering if we could foster a sick kitty over Christmas. Well of course and uh-oh for me, it was love at first sight. I don't think this kitty is going back...

I've never had a long-haired cat before, he's actually quite a tiny guy under there. His name is Smokey and he's the most affectionate bundle of love I've ever met. Vespers & Timmy know he's downstairs but they won't meet till he's not contagious anymore (5 days without sneezing).

Holly had her birthday party on Saturday, a very slow lunch at Red Robin and then to see Eragon. She had a good time. I had a good time sitting in the coffee place drinking my chai and reading People while they went to the movie. The restaurant staff had her stand on her chair, introduced her to all the diners and sang the birthday song. She tried to hide under her hoodie as you can see!

We're having the neighbours over tonight (Claire's family) for wine & snacks. They had their dinner yesterday; we have ours tomorrow so it works out well.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas!