The Walk in the Garden

Lessons from the Garden.

2009-08-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hello

Well it has been a fantastic year so far in the garden. We have had some wonderful successes (Cucumbers, Carrots, Tomatoes!). We have also had some failures (Corn, well mostly corn). I tried to plant two varieties together and didn't know or think that this would be a problem. Although I got big beautiful heads of corn, they were so starchy we ended up having to dry it out and make it chicken food. Lessons learned for next year...

Another slight disappointment were my potatoes. I grew them in a 50 gallon drum

and this was the full harvest of one drum. The other drum held twice this much.

I planted them in a beautiful mix of compost and soil and think they may have had it too good.

I will be replanting them for my first year of winter gardening experiments and will make sure things aren't quite as luxurious this time. I will also be trying smaller varieties of purple and white potatoes instead of the above russets.

We have had such success that we even have a Watermelon growing!

Mother Nature has been very very good to use this year. We are going to try to extend the growing season for as long as possible. D built me a greenhouse, my very first one, and I can't wait to get started.

Quick pickled cucumbers

2009-08-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have been overrun with cucumbers again. You think I would learn to plant less but I don't. I get too excited and start over planting and in the end, we try strange food stuff.

We are ok with that but it does make for some interesting dinners.

Here is a link to the recipe I just tried for Quick pickled cucumbers. They are turning out to be fast, easy and tasty.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/pickled-cucumbers-recipe/index.html

In other garden news, we have had a very successful season so far. The variety of fruit and veg are far to numerous to list. We have enjoyed some really terrific gifts from Mother Nature this year. We are very grateful to be in a position to grow our own food.

Now we are just waiting on those potatoes in a barrel... soon, so soon.

Four Years

2009-05-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today is the fourth anniversary of my surgery.

The last four years have been challenging, fun, hard and happy. I could not be in a better place in my life.

I am so very happy.

Update from the garden

2009-05-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The garden is really popping now, so much so that we have had Rhubarb tarts tonight for dessert.

This is my very favorite time of year, everything is doing it's thing, getting ready to take off and feed me wonderful things. I was very excited again this year and have done my best to hold off and not plant out too early. This was very difficult for me last year and I started my seeds to soon and ended up losing most of them. Planting twice tends not to be very economical, so I have done my best to waaaaiiiit.

There are also some experiments going out there. I have wanted to plant potatoes in a container ever since I heard about it two years ago and finally decided to go for it. D got me 2 large food grade containers from his work and cut the top off them. I drilled some holes in the bottom and put in some rocks for drainage, put them up on blocks and added some soil and compost to the bottom. I put about 5 or 6 of my potato chunks in the bottom and covered it with some more soil and compost. As the plants grow up you continue to add soil and compost, just leaving the tops of the plant showing. When the plant flowers you can put your hand in and feel around for some early spuds. When the plant dies back, you have a container full of spuds.

* I cut my seed potatoes into chunks with at least 2 eyes on each piece a few days before planting and leave in a cool, dry place

Now I wait to see what will happen!

I have included a picture of the spud buckets, the Rhubarb and one shot of how I like to start the day before heading out to move dirt and mow all that grass again. :)

Groove on!

Happy Easter

2009-04-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hello

It's Easter this weekend and I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all the very best.

Things are all well and starting to pop in the garden. The seedlings are planting and growing. The weeds are pulled and the beds are ready. If we could get mother nature to play along, well that would be dandy.

I have been doing a ton of crafting and down home type of work these past few months. I have been busy making greeting cards from a bunch of my old images and putting them on paper I have made at home from my bills. :) I could never find the card stock I wanted to I decided to make my own. They have gone over really well and have been selling since before Christmas. You can check them and the rest of my work out on my site below

Mic's Media

Anyways, hope you all have a very relaxing weekend and enjoy all that chocolate.

Ok

2009-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am home again and loving it. Bored out of my mind and spending way too much time on Facebook. The fact is that D is wonderful and got me a new camera and flash for Christmas but it has been soooo foggy here, I can't see my hand in front of my face. It is so strange. My mail from the mailbox is damp... It's like a big wet blanket on the city. I think I need to get to higher ground :)

Itching to get out with the new gear. Trying really hard to get unstuck from the routine that involves nothing and accomplishes even less. I have customer orders for cards to make but I am still stuck in my Christmas rut lol. Is the holiday over... oh, I didn't know.

So now I have to get to work. Make some money. Learn how to use this new equipment. I am excited to get going, I am excited for spring and growing and green... Now if I could just huff and puff and blow this fog away?

Birthday Eve

2009-01-05T20:50:00.001-08:00

Well, I am getting older! Yup given the option, I am pretty pleased about it too.

This will be a forward moving year.

Happy Year Everyone.

Time

2008-12-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

Today was D's 40th Birthday! Happy Birthday D

As I sat alone in a dark theater watching a movie about time, it was difficult given my sullen mood, not to reflect on time well spent and time that is wasted. We have so little of it... we can not hold it or collect it. Time never belongs to us, it is only ours to borrow.

I feel so torn, so at a cross roads yet again. My birthday is coming, the year is ending. I understand this all very rationally but that has very little to do with anything.

When I was young, I took a business course so that if my singing career ever failed, I would have something to fall back on. I find it sad that I just fell back and stayed there. I was given chance after chance to make the changes. Big chance too! I am in the middle to a chance right now...

Tomorrow I hope will be a brighter day, the end of a year. Maybe the start of something new.

My horoscope told me to make a change, not a big one but a change, it said "Go to the same store but try on a different colour" I like that...

Where the hell...

2008-11-12T08:28:00.000-08:00

Where, What, When, you know, the regular lost my way questions. Ok, so something big is about to happen, or not. My life is about to really change, or not. I may get to spend my time doing what I love, or not.

So my last blog was about wishing away, so I decided to stop. I changed jobs in a big way. I have been an office type for about 20 years and I began to realize that I was not getting any younger or happier. D and I had some chats about it and a decision was made to make a big change. Since I have been feeling so well for a while now and have fallen for the gardening thing, I chose to go work at a wholesale nursery (plants, not babies) :P . I was expecting it to be a great place to be but found that it was just not my thing. More moving plant pots around than getting my hands in the dirt I guess. Then there was all that talk about accounting help and such! So, I stayed a month and then I bailed. Not my usual MO but I just didn't want to go there any more and so I didn't.

So, I have been sitting here for 2 and a half weeks trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Of coarse me being me, I have to pick myself apart first. What is wrong with me, 37 is to old for this shit. Get back to work and behave like an adult... I just don't want to... I can't anymore. Spoiled, yes but that is just the way it is right now.

I want to take pictures... I want to be creative. Not everyone does portraits all the time right? I like to shoot things that don't talk back. Product, animals, flowers, bugs and weeds... as you know. How do I do that? How?

Can't wait to see how this one ends... I hope it's not with my ass back in an office chair... But I guess that is up to me.

Yikes!

Friday Things

2008-06-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Friday at last. Funny, last week someone mentioned that I am wishing my life away. I wish it was lunch, I wish it was 4:30, I wish it was Saturday. In the end, all this tells me is I am wishing I was not at work.

The garden is so awesome right now. Everything is growning and getting ready for eating. Some things have already given up their delights! It's hard to give all that time to something that means so little at the end of the day. Taking pictures and growing stuff, that is how I would rather spend my day.

Now, how to do that... That is the question. Groove on Groovy People.

Done Waiting

2008-06-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

Well hello there,

Been some time since I was around there here parts! Last time, we were waiting, waiting on the summer coming and the rain going... turns out we got a little hit of sun and then more waiting...

The gardens are all planted but the work continues. This is only our second season on the property and we have so many things we want to do. We have already had radish and lettuce from the garden. This was thanks to the season extending tents D built out of recycled plastic he had found on a job site. I will be hanging on to that... I see a greenhouse in my future.

Oh, we also got 4 hens! Very excited about that. They are all for different bird and will start laying eggs around September. They have been a lot of fun and easy to care for since they were day old chicks living in my closet. Anyways, more on them later.

Lots of work left to do as I said but a lot of work already done. So, better run and get ready for the real job that allows for the garden job. See you soon.

In waiting

2008-01-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

It is really cold here today. Well, not really cold, but cold for us West Coasters. We are waiting on the snow that is supposed to fall for the next two days.

It is hard to believe that snow is coming. The sunrise this morning was incredible. I woke up after a nice sleep in. The sun was just coming up. So, in my PJ's and gum boots, I headed out with the dogs and the camera. Mount Baker was lit up, as was the Alex Fraser bridge in the distance. What a nice way to start the day.

We will not be up to much today. Time to take it easy and relax. A nice breakfast has been had and now it is time to get in the hot tub before heading out into the garden to see what is up. I need to get some clean up done under one of the big trees. We are planning on putting the chickens back there and have a bunch of work to do before they arrive.

SPRING!

2008-01-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

As I look out the window, I see rain dripping from the roof. This does not dull my excitement at having received my first seed catalogue in the mail this week.

Spring my friends is just around the corner. The beds are getting ready, mulching everything down with the rain. We have so many weeds out there having taken over a very old and well established garden. The first attempt to beat them back a bit is to cover them with newspaper and wet it down. This seems to be doing the job but only time will tell.

D and I will each have 3 garden plots to grow what we like. D has chosen to rip everything out of his gardens, including the soil and start from scratch. I however was not willing or able to dig out all the soil and have gone the lazy way. I guess we will see what works best.

We are really hoping that we see a little more sunshine this year. Last year was such a loss. This winter has also been really wet... My feet are webbing.

So, time to pick out seeds, decide what will be grown, how much will be needed and where to put it all.

So excited... I love spring!

Birthday Post

2008-01-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, what a nice day it has been. D and I have not done a whole lot. We went out to pick up some wine and a few odds and ends. For my Birthday, I received a blue leather recliner that is the perfect size for me and too small for D! I also received a blue tooth ear piece to go with my new phone from Christmas. Man I am spoiled.

Speaking of spoiled, today has been about food and relaxing. I had a wonderful hot tub while D made steaks and salad for lunch. For Breakfast we had a full bacon and egg fry up. Dinner looks like it will be whole roast chicken... oh, I love eating and I love my birthday! Don't worry, we went for a walk with the dogs between meals to get in a tad of fitness :)

Mom sent flowers and a cheque. Thanks Mom, for the two pairs of jeans and the sweater you bought me for my Birthday lol. I love January sales. Dad sent cash and that has also gone to good use. It is sitting in my wallet giving me comfort and joy!

Last night, D and I went out to Papi's for dinner to celebrate my birthday as well as his. D turned older than me last week. It was very nice as usual but I had had a migraine for the better part of the day and my time clock was all screwed up from having slept for the afternoon.

Oh well, today I am feeling great and enjoying it as much as I can. D is in the kitchen making some cake and dinner. Life is good. I could not ask for more.

Please go and say hello to my friend Susie. She is also celebrating her birthday today. Happy Birthday Susie!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-12-31T06:57:00.000-08:00

TO ALL OUR FRIENDS IN THE BLOGOSPHERE

D AND I WANTED TO WISH YOU

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2008

Post Christmas Post

2007-12-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

OK, so all that work and all the money... worth it? Yup! We had a very nice Christmas. We took the motorhome out, decked it out in Christmas and headed up to Harrison Hot Springs to see my Mom and her Hubby. We had a very nice time and ate a ton of really great food. On The Eve, we had a fondue... anything dipped in cheese is ok with me. We got up in the morning and did the stocking, present thing. Everyone came away pretty spoiled.

Later that day we headed down the road to the in-laws. As we were half way up their mountain, it started to snow. It didn't stop for the whole night and in the morning, Winter wonderland! It would have been wonderful if I didn't have to work the next day but I did. We spent the better part of the day digging out. We could see the road and that it was clear but we first had to negotiate down the 50' steep driveway. We got home and rested a bit and now back to reality.

It went so fast but it was sure fun while it lasted. It is D's birthday this weekend and then New Years... followed by my birthday the following week... wow, I need a nap.

Anyways, better get my gear on and get to the office. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Well Shit!

2007-12-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Yippy it's Saturday. I still like to get up nice and early before the rest of the world. Today I have lots to do. It is not long before Christmas day and I still have to finish shopping, decorate the motor home for our road trip, do some baking and renew my drivers licence.

But before any of that can happen, I have to get in the hot tub for a nice long soak!

Have a very groovy Satruday.

Shopping Shopping Shopping

2007-12-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

I feel this over whelming need to be at the mall. Must shop more... and retail at that. I must be off my nut. Oh well, tis the season for over spending and we excel at that!

So we are now at hump day. I am running late in my getting ready as always. Some things it turns out, never change. I am spending my days trying to catch up on work and my evenings trying to catch up on sleep... when I am not shopping.

Man I can't wait for spring! I wanna go outside.

Holy Lazy Batman

2007-12-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I got up and hit the mall. Got a bunch of my list crossed off. Gifts wrapped and put under the tree. Very sucessful. I even took myself out for a nice lunch at earl's and got my hair cut.

Today, I have done as little has humanly possible. I have not even gotten into the hot tub because is reaks of effort. Ok, I have done a few loads of laundry but that is it. The plan was to get up early and get some more time in getting ready for Christmas. When I woke up, late I may add, it had snowed over night... This changed my whole plan. I added some Bailey's to my morning coffee and kicked my feet up. Ahhh, some may say a waste of time but some laundry got done and some souls got soothed with some much needed rest.

Have a groovy day.

The Walk

2007-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

So today is beautiful outside. The sun is shining, the rain is not raining and there is a wonderful frost on everything. I slept in just a little, got up, made the coffee, fed the dogs, had a shower and then took my beasts for a walk as the sun was coming up.

It is just stunning out there. All pink and sparkly. I am off to get my hair cut and to do a little shopping.

Have a great Saturday. Groove on groovy people.

Finally Friday

2007-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, the end of another week for 07, man this year has flown. Must mean things are going well and the bumps are little ones :)

I am finding the need for less drama in my life and more quiet walks. For less getting wrapped up in it all and more letting it go.

Giving something the correct amount of energy is a hard thing to learn. If this will not really matter tomorrow then why would I let it upset me so much today. To much energy flowing in the wrong direction wraps you up in knots. I like to be knot free!

Anger is a hard thing to let go of, it feels nice and safe. To let go and move forward is not easy. It takes risk but it also brings reward.

Here's hoping you have a rewarding day.

Groove on groovy people.

Now... for more on that later.

2007-12-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

So not to toot my own horn (love that saying, makes my inner 12 year old giggle) BUT
while I was not hanging around on the interweb, I was out shooting shots for a contest in our city.

Each year they put out a call for entries for pictures that would make good street banners. You know the kind, they hang on either side of the lamp post. Well this year was the second year I entered. Last year, nothing. This year, out of 600 entries, I got 2 pictures in the top 100 and 1 of my pictures won a banner. They choose 6-8 banners a year and hang them from March 2008 - 2009!

Yup, pretty excited about it. So in February I go and meet the mayor and shake his hand and get a full size copy of the banner... Not sure where to hang that but still, very cool.

So, just wanted to share that with you and do a little braggin' and since that is out of the way, I can move forward lol.

I have included a picture of the winning shot below. Groove on groovy people.

What

2007-12-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Tip toes into the room... looks around... clears out the cobwebs...

Well, it has been some time. Some time indeed. The sun was still shining last time I was here. We now have a whole new season upon us. D says I am happier when I write. So maybe I will write.

Life is good, really good. I realized this while trying to make a Christmas list. Do you know what? It turns out that I do not need a thing. I have everything that I want. Super spoiled or super simple, not sure but still happy.

My new job is going well, I say new job because it shocks me that it has been almost a year. A year without the old nut house. Don't miss that. Go take a look at last November and you will see what I mean. I work with strange and quirky people, I fit right in lol. Makes for a ton of fun. We laugh a lot at work.

I am still taking pictures and recently won a big contest here in the city I live in. More on that later...

Anyways, it was not my intention to come here to write today. Just thought I would stick my head in the door and see if the spiders had taken over. I'll be back...

Groove on groovy people

Corn!

2007-08-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

When we first moved in we didn't have a lot of time to think about what and where we wanted to plant. We pretty much went to the greenhouse and got seedling and bunged them in where ever we were done clearing out the weeds. Next year will have much better planning behind it.

By the miracle of this land we have been so lucky. Living on farm land and digging in black gold does not hurt one bit. Borage and Hollyhock grown wild in the beds. All sorts of fennel randomly grows around the property as do blackberries and a variety of herbs. This week we have had Zuc's of course, cucs, tomatoes, peas,onion and the most exciting of all... Corn.

Hope the week is being kind to you.

Really Quick

2007-08-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I don't have a ton of time this morning but I wanted to pop in and let you know that things are going well. The sun is shinning and has been for a few days. It is nice to see since the weather man says we had more rain in July than in recorded history. The upside to all the rain is that I have not had to do much watering. The downside is... well it's rain.

Anyways, things are growing well and I was so excited to see this. WATERMELON! I really hope it grows. I really want to try some fresh out of the garden. I will let you know how it goes.

In other food news, I have found someone to share in the zucchini harvest. One of the ladies at my work will be taking some extras off my hands and making a zuc and chocolate cake for tomorrow... Yippy. I will let you know how it tastes and if it is really good, I will get the recipe.

Have a wonderful Thursday and happy gardening.

Rain Rain... what the hell it's almost August!

2007-07-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

I can't get over all this rain. Why is it raining in July? The slugs are having a hay day in my garden and have eaten at least one whole lettuce. My tan lines are starting to fade and my body is waiting to set the clocks back an hour... I NEED some sunshine!

The saving grace as far as the bugs are concerned, is that lovely little zapper I have in the carport. Zapzapzap... 3 less mosquitoes HA!

Anyways, see that cabbage below... courtesy of D, they turned into some yummy cabbage rolls. Predictable yes, but still very good. They are a couple in the freezer for a quick weeknight meal.

Here is another sample of veg from the garden that have made their way onto my plate. The Cauliflower made it's way into some white sauce over cannelloni stuffed with Zucchini, pork and cheese. Now that was tasty in deed!

Have a wonderful week and pray for sunshine!

More From the Veg Patch!

2007-07-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

So excited! On Saturday evening, D and I had a Bbq-ed roast. The roast was very nice but the exciting part was the vegetables. We had peas pods, broccoli and carrots from the garden. Yippy! We steamed them in foil on the bbq with a little salt, pepper and what ever booze I was drinking at the time. They were sooo good. I mean really tasty.

I know I am a dork about it but really, it is wonderful to put your hands in the dirt and plant food! For me it is equally about the planting and the eating!

We have had so much luck taking over this wonderful garden. Everything here is doing so well. I was out today pulling weeds and the odd carrot and thanking Mother Nature! No better way to spend an afternoon... except for in the pool once all the weeding is done.

Enjoy the day

Next to be dinner...

Heat Wave

2007-07-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been so hot here the last couple of days. The weather is so nice and I can't wait to get home at the end of the day and lay on my floaty mattress in the pool I bought. It is not large, just 8 feet around and 3.5 feet deep but I don't mind. It's a lovely place to lay around with a glass of wine after a long day.

The garden continues to grow really well. The corn has started to grow and I can't wait to cook it straight on the grill or camp fire and slather it in butter and salt. It's on the cardiac diet, I promise.

We have been so lucky this year and it is just early. We had company over for dinner the other day and it was a real treat to cut the broccoli right off the plant in front of them and steam it on the grill with some white wine and salt and pepper. Soooo Good. Now I can't wait for this baby to be ready. I have a nice cheese to bake it with.

The lettuce I planted is continuing to do well and since I planted it at different times with a few weeks in between, I will have them coming up for awhile yet. I will be harvesting some of the head lettuce this week and can't wait to see all the bugs that have made a home in it. I try to keep it as natural as I can, so bugs can be part of the deal... whatever, I like food, so do the bugs. Just give them a good wash and they will be fine and tasty.

I know I have a lot to report but I also need to mention the raspberries. Bumper crop and so tasty. We are freezing them as fast as we can and I do my best to eat them off the canes for breakfast everyday :)

I hope the week treats you well and that your garden grows. Enjoy the walk.
Oh, one little p.s. for you. I had another little visitor in my garden. Very cool.

Wait!

2007-07-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

I need more wine... BRB!

Back

Blame D for the fact that I am sitting here at 9:25 pm drinking wine for dinner. I ate the frozen pizza in the fridge but it was just not enough... and D got called to go to work and I was not in the mooood to cook.

Anyways, in the garden today we have had many nice surprises. The cherries are working on being ready. They were very damaged from all the rain but there are a few left to eat.

We will keep picking as long as they become available.

I am waiting on D setting up my water barrels. I have two that will be joined by a pipe for overflow. I will also be getting a few small fish to keep in the barrels. This will help keep the mosquitoes at bay... rain is in full supply courtesy of mother nature. Of course, since D is off work this week, we will have full sun. Not that I'm complaining. More time in the pool and all.

Also wanted to mention the way in which I have had success with cucumbers. This seems to be the case again this year. I have planted 4 cucs and they seem to be doing just fine. I think they may need a little pepping up and will have to look around for the best cuc food.

As you can see from the pic below, I grow the cucs up. I have always just used a bit of whatever stick was laying around and zap straps to tie them on to the stick. They grow nice and straight and the plant supports the weight of the fruit with no problem. Wow, so much to tell you about what is doing what. I would love for you to take a look at My Garden Set on flicker. The pictures speak louder than the words. Raspberries, Cabbage, Strawberries, lettuce... I just am so thrilled with how well everything is doing.

Wishing you the very best Wednesday and to all our American Friends...

Happy 4th of July!

Oh Canada!

2007-06-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Well Happy Canada Day!

We are in the process of having the inlaws over. They are staying up at the camp site and we had a very nice dinner followed by a camp fire and snacks.

The weather today was wonderful. It was also a surprise as they said it was going to do nothing but rain all long weekend. I had to apply the sunscreen in order to sit out. I am sure the veggies will love all the sun today.

The Cherries are one day to harvest and I can't wait to eat them until I feel sick and then jar the rest with booze and save for later. Now doesn't that sound like fun?

The Zucs are still doing very well despite the beating the leaves took from the hail last week. I can't wait to try out some the the recipes I have in mind. In non garden news... I was very excited to do some portrait work this week. I shot some grad photos for a lady at work. Her daughter was graduating and she asked if I would... I don't normally shoot people but thought I would take the chance.

The shoot went really well and in the end I shot 15 or so kids. It was really fun and I learned a ton. I am going to take advantage of all those shots I have and send 4x6's of them home for mom and dad to see. Someone may want to order some prints... you never know if you don't try.

Well, I hope the weekend treats you well and that if you are in Canada, you have a wonderful Canada Day. If you are not... Well party on anyway.

Visitors

2007-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so odd as noted below. It has been very hard on the garden. The cherries are splitting and it's sad to see. It got so hot for awhile there, and then it rained and rained and rained some more.

The plants are holding up ok, with the exception of the zuc that has holes in it's leaves. I am sure this is not affecting the fruit as it is doing very well and I can't wait to eat it stuffed with pork stuffing. :)

D and I were just hanging out on Sunday watching all the strange weather and were shocked to see this fellow had wandered into the back yard to enjoy the fallen cherries. Glad someone is enjoying them. I could not let him hang around and had to scare him off not once but twice. He came back later in the evening for his dessert.

On a side note, I was very excited to have some early broccoli to harvest yesterday. Yummy!

Enjoy the day.

Strange Day

2007-06-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

What an odd day it has been today. Mother Nature is having a difficult time making up her mind. We have had rain, hail, thunder, lightening and sunshine.

But This...
Brought Thisand This

Then the sun came out and it ended like this. How odd.

Happy Friday

2007-06-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Good Friday Reader!

The sun is trying it's very best today. We are expecting rain this weekend. Good thing I got some lawn mowing done yesterday.

We had some friends over for dinner last night. Good time and food were had by all. As I have mentioned previously, we have a camp site out back. We never entertain inside and last night was no exception. We even had a camp fire to celebrate the Summer arriving so beatifully. We even sent them home with a fresh out of the garden romaine lettuce. Bugs and all lol!

So our cherries are beginning to rippen, seems way early to me but we have to do a quick harvest this weekend before the crows get it all. Damn crows!

Ok, I hope that the weekend brings you joy and time to do one thing just for yourself.

Getting Ready

2007-06-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling very creative over this last week. I can feel all these ideas and energy to get things done that bring me joy. I have no intentions of ignoring this feeling.

The garden is blooming and growing all around us and it is hard not to feel in touch with it. To have the freedom to stand on the land and face the sun in the morning. Feeling the light on your face is the best feeling. The plants seem to feel the same.

Have a wonderful Summer Solstice!

Today In the Garden

2007-06-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well I have just come in from the garden. I take the dogs out back every morning and I sit on the ledge and drink my coffee. Sometimes I will take my coffee for a stroll just to see what is up to what.

So today I was excited to see that the zucchini I have planted is doing very well. We have lots of fruit starting and the flowers are nice and big.

I have never had a veg patch this large and can't wait to see what does well. We
have already has lettuce from the garden on three occasions... Very cool as well as tasty. We have also had Rhubarb and Strawberries over Ice Cream. Very Very cool!

So here is to a happy, sunny day. Enjoy!

For the Pictures

2007-06-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well would you just look at that. A whole new look!

There have been so many changes in my life that it did not seem fitting to leave things as they were here.

As I mentioned in January I quit my job. I started another one right away. The change could not have been more drastic if I had tried. I went from working at a design company to working at an industrial large scale metal fabrication shop. Most of my co-workers are now men. (Wow you are a bunch of pigs when we are not around).

About a month after I started my new job, I went away for the weekend with Swirlybuns, the kids and the Mama. The day I got back, I found out we had been given our notice and had to move out. The same night, I found our new home and two weeks later, we moved.

Last month D got laid off from his job of 7 years and started working with his brother at their own company.

Changes, nope, nothing to see here. HA!

So we feel as though our heads are spinning a little bit.

The property we are now living on is 2.5 acres. We spend most of our time in the garden. We currently have the following growing.

Lettuce x 3 varieties
Snap Peas
Strawberries
Rhubarb x 2 patches
Tomatoes x 4 varieties
Full Herb garden
Apples Trees x 2
Cherry Trees x 2
Corn
Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli and Cauliflower.
Peppers
Onions x 4 varieties
Raspberries,Blackberries, Salmonberries, Elderberries.
Pumpkins, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Cucumber

And I am sure a few others that I have forgotten. Most of the time I can be found pushing a lawnmower. Man I need a ride on so bad! If I am not mowing, then I am weeding.

When it is all said and done. We eat and drink and be merry.

We have a camp ground out back where we have put our motorhome. There is a camp fire pit and a hammock and small bobbing pool. If you keep going you will find a trail to the back of our property and the Christmas trees.

It sure is wonderful to have this. D and I just shake our heads and count our blessings. Then we pick up the weed wacker and get back at it.

Hugs and Love
August95

For the Blog of It

2007-02-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, it has been some time since I have been here. I have not been here at all since I started my new job and my new class.

The job is going very well. I am hoping to get a little more to do very soon. I think I am going to have to wrestle it from Da Boss though. The environment is good and the guys are getting used to letting me know what they are up to. It is going to take some reminding but I'm sure it will happen!

Photography Class is going ok. It makes for a long Monday but I'm enjoying it and the Saturday field trip was a great way to start the weekend. The pictures below are from that day. We are going out again this Saturday. I am sure going to see the city I live in with this class. Should be fun.

Not to much more to do, just waiting for Spring so I can kick up my heals again. The days are getting longer and I love it. Yippy! I am getting outside for an hour every day at lunch. It sure is a nice break in the day. I am also getting to see the other side of the dyke. Different wild life over there. I will take pictures.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. Hugs and Blove.

Day Three

2007-01-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

So Saturday evening is upon us. I am sitting here working on a vodka and orange. Relaxed is the name of the game.

Yesterday was comprised of shopping and a special treat of Butter Chicken, samosa and Nann. I went to the old navy and got some cute sweaters for a ridiculously low price. I am wearing one now. It's is very cute... take my word.

D and I went to Earls today and ate like pigs. It was really good but now we are both just feeling like we may burst. I love the food there and I needed some recovery food after learning that my favorite Papi's burned down on Thursday night. My friend Ang called to let me know and I was so upset I made a point of driving by to see for myself later that day. No Angiolloti for awhile. So sad for Ken and the rest of the staff.

At the very least we took the dogs out for a walk before we went and gluttonized ourselves. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining today. I could not wait to get out in it and stretch my legs. It felt great.

Sorry this is all over the place. Being organized takes effort I am not interested in giving to anything right now :)

I really am loving this big change. It is so freeing. Wiggle on out of that rut!

Here is a shot of D and the dogs last weekend. The others below are random last weekend shots. Enjoy the week.

Working My Way Back

2007-01-19T07:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Morning! Today is my second day of my four day holiday. I am on the fast track to recovery from my years of working at a looney bin. It was not hard to go at all. I have friends there that I will miss but I will see them outside of work anyways. As for the rest of it, you can keep it.

I am not at all adverse to hard work. I just want to spend my efforts moving forward and making money for people who get that the success is not just theirs. I will not miss doing way more than my own job, sometimes two. I will certainly not miss the rotten core that makes the whole damn apple stink.

I will not think about or mention that place again for a very long time. It has had too much of me already. The rest is mine.

So that is done. Now we move on.

Yesterday was wonderful. In the morning I got up very early and it was Snowing... Yippy. I got my self showered and dressed and hung out with D until he had to go to work at noon. I went to the Grocery store and bought myself some treats. Then I went to see Dreamgirls in the middle of the day... the middle, not the end!

The movie was very good but a little strange. First it starts out like a normal movie with just the people on stage singing. Then they get upset and everyone starts singing. I was like... what the hell, why is the manager singing about being family. I didn't know it was part musical, part story about a girl group. Still, the story was good and the singing was incredible.

Then I went to burger king and got a really healthy lunch, at least I got a bottle of water instead of pop... right, right. Went down to the river and watched the storm go by and the loons try to stay out of the water.

I then came home and cleaned up, goofed off, made tacos for dinner and cookie for dessert. Good times I tell ya. I feel so free and happy and light! My teeth are starting to ache less and I think after a nice bath this morning, I will be good to go.

Today, I plan on continuing in this theme. It sounds like the rain is on for the day. Maybe a swim at the pool and some pictures of those loons. Wish me luck, this will be my first time at the pool.

Groove on Groovy People.

Here are some pictures of the pooches this past weekend.

Cha, Cha, Changes.

2007-01-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday Everyone!

What a wonderful Birthday I had yesterday. We woke up early and took the dogs for a walk on the dike. Just as I was opening the door to go outside, there was a lady on my porch with flowers from Mom and A. So Sweet and beautiful. Pictures to follow.

It was just beautiful out as you can see by the picture in yesterdays post. We came home and I talked on the phone to friends and family, we did a little house cleaning and relaxed.

Later that evening Anon and Lady J came by to pick us up and we went for dinner at Papi's. The food was wonderful as usual, I did not stray from my usual Agnolotti. So good. Crab and ricotta cheese jumbo stuffed ravioli with mushrooms and a white wine seafood sauce. Are you kidding me. So good. We had a wonderful time and laughed a lot. It was a really fun night and made for a wonderful celebration. Thank you Anon and Lady J, we really enjoy this wonderful treat :)

I must admit to feeling a little free. Kind of like I have just put down a very large, well you get the idea. I will let one of my pictures from yesterday do the talking for me.

It's hard not to giggle our loud for no reason right now. Have a great Sunday.

For My Self Edited

2007-01-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

I quit my job today!

Happy Birthday to Me!

And now that it is January 6th, Ta Da! Please help me Celebrate the Birthdays of my Friends.

It's SUSIE'S birthday today. Please stop by and wish her some love.

I also want to say Happy Birthday to my buddy Doobs. Hope you have a very groovy day girl. See you tomorrow at the pub! :)

Woot Woot!

2006-12-31T09:08:00.000-08:00

THE WALK WISHES YOU

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Birthday D

2006-12-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

I am just popping in to say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY D!

We will be hanging out in our jammies for the rest of the day. Movies will be watched and food will be eaten in large quantities. We will also be drinking as much as we want.

D also wants you to know that I love him and that he is handsome and hardworking, smart and caring.

This blog was co-written by D. What can I do, it's his birthday.

All teasing aside, He is and I do. I always will.

Love you.

The Time In Between

2006-12-29T20:58:00.000-08:00

Howdy!

It's the time in between Christmas and D's Birthday and New years. This week has not been too busy but there is still lots to do at work.

Christmas was very excellent in deed. We started on Saturday night when Anon and Lady J came over for Christmas turkey bird. It was very good and wonderfully cooked by D. We had a very nice time hanging out, eating cheese and drinking gin and tonic.

Sunday afternoon we headed up to Mom's house in Harrison Hot Springs. We fondued our way through Christmas eve and had lots of fun and time to hang out. Christmas morning we got up and got spoiled with all the gifts Santa had brought.

Later that day we headed to Hatic lake to see D's parents and have a nice Christmas meal. We had breakfast in the morning and a long walk in the wood in the afternoon. We got all packed up and headed home for an evening of laying on the couch watching the movies we had gotten.

It was an all around great time and as D and I were driving down the country roads between our Mom's places I looked at D and said "I don't think I could be any more at peace if I tried". He totally agreed.

Here is one of the sights we saw as we were on our drive.

Two More Sleeps

2006-12-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

So funny, two more sleeps. I am so excited. Christmas makes me nervous and excited and strung out all at the same time. I love it. We are having dinner with Anon and Lady J today. Hey Anon, be here about 4:30 ok!

The tree is up and has been for weeks. The gifts are bought and with the exception of some spit and polish, we are ready!

I am doing my best to unwind and realize I don't have to go back to work for 4 days... Yippy!!

Really excited about seeing family and friends. Very excited about the eating that will be done over the next four days. Yummers.

Anyways, I do have a few more things to do but wanted to say

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

D and I wanted to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Hugs and Love
August95

Finally Friday

2006-12-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your encouragement from that last post. I did end up going to the party knowing I had worked to hard to just pass up a chance to have some fun. We were about half and hour late and by the time we arrived you could see that the party was on. We had dinner and a drink or two and decided to leave the night to the young and drunk. Glad we did. No one was looking each other in the eye on Monday morning and I just giggled to myself...

As for the hurter, with the exception of an uncomfortable bathroom run in, we kept to our own tables. She keeps smiling at me when she sees me but I hate to say she is a few months too late.

We have one and a half shopping weekends left before Christmas is upon us. Things are starting to slow down at work which is good since I am now taking care of 2 departments myself. We had to let someone go and are in the process of trying to fill the position. In the mean time, it's down to me. There is a threat that the hurter may come back to the job so I am working hard to make sure that does not happen or I will be doing the January job find.

In very excellent news, it is getting close to spring... can you smell it. The days are going to start getting longer in a few weeks... yippy. My camera and I are itching to get back out into the world.

Hope you are all doing well out in the world. Be safe this weekend while out in the Christmas rush. Be kind to others and spread the joy of the season. Or just flip the guy that cut you off in line the bird... either will make you feel better HA!

I miss you all.

Hurt

2006-12-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

Well the snow was falling all last week and seems to be planning on taking this week to go away. We have had some really cold days and the weather has been very wacky. Our damage is now listed as follows. 1 fence, 1 boat canopy.

Life is ok right now, I have been working way to much. Our company held it's annual warehouse sale and I spent last week helping set it up. This meant being in the warehouse and not the office. This meant getting to wear my sweats and ipod... sweet. It was a huge amount of work and I was shocked that my body did so well. I still take it easy most of the time. I don't want to piss off whatever saint has given me the last handful of month pain free.

Our company Christmas party is this Saturday and I am in the process of trying to decide if I have the energy to face it. I was really looking forward to going and letting my hair down but things have changed and I am not so happy about going now.

Last, I think March or April when I was in so much pain I would have shot my self in the head if I had a gun, I lost a friend. It happend because, well, she is a bitch and not a real friend. She has probably never had a real friend in her life because she turns her back on people. She picked a very bad week to turn on me and the shock and hurt I still feel over it makes me cry when I think of it.

She and I used to work together and I would drive her home. We would sit outside her house and talk for hours on end. She was one of the first women I put my self out there with in a long time. It did not pay off the way I hoped. With me being the classic giver and her being the classic taker it was bound to end but I never expected it to come the way it did.

She left the company two months ago and I was very relieved to see the back of her. It was very uncomfortable to work in the same building with someone that wished you ill. I saw her at the sale on Sunday but just ignored her. I found out today that she has been invited to go to our Christmas party on Saturday. I understand that this was not done to hurt me but the effect is still the same.

My personal time is so limited this time of year. I work in giftware wholesale for Dog sakes... we are busy people. I just don't want to spend my time being guarded and unhappy. I could try to just go and not let it bother me... but unless this is your first time here... you know I can't do that. I just feel so sad that no matter what, I can't win. This year has been so hard, I wanted to have some fun and party with my friends on the company dime... now I just want to pull the covers over my head and feel sorry for myself.

Gone to the Birds

2006-11-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

Hi,

November is almost over. I am very excited about that. Things should be slowing down a little bit at work. We are getting ready for the spring show season right now and trying to get finished up from last season and pre-Christmas.

I have not had the chance I would like to get out with the camera and new lens. Yes, that's right... D won some money at Keno and bought me a 70-300mm Macro lens.

Now I can go and be a paparazzi lol. But really, I am excited because I got hired to shoot some horses at a friends ranch. Their riding club needs a Christmas card pic and they are letting me doing it... Sweet.

The rain has been crazy here and so has the wind. We lost our fence this week but D put it back up before the dogs could run away from home.

So, in the few days I have had off this month, I did get out for a walk and some picture taking. Here is a selection of what I have seen in my travels.

I hope you are all well and life is being kind.

And for you American types in the crowd, here is an Eagle to help celebrate your Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving!

I work therefore I am

2006-11-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Blog and those who have braved the cobwebs to come over here.

It's Sunday morning, it's the day after Rememberance day in Canada. It's raining a lot right now. I hope we see the sun again soon.

I was supposed to work yesterday but since I'm sick with a cold, I booked out. 6 days a week right now sucks. That is what you get for working at a Giftware Wholesale organization. I must like it though, since I am still there. We have had some big staff changes, (yes plural) of late and it has put pressure on those of us who know what we are doing.

On another note, I have been asked to sing at the company Christmas party again this year. I need someone who can record a piano song for me... EM Help! It is a James Bond theme, so I have chosen the only real singable song from the series. "Nobody does it better" That should put the drunks to sleep HA!

Or I may ditch the theme completely and sing a Christmas ditty.

Hey look at that, everything I have said here is about work. What a shocker! Get out of my head... it's Sunday.

So this time next week, I am taking a class in Light box photography. That is the morning class. The afternoon class is about portrait lighting. See, I can't get out in all this rain and I want to play with my camera. Hope it goes well. I have never been to something like this.

D and I went out for a walk yesterday morning with the Dogs. I took some pictures with my new 70-300 mm lens... yes I am spoiled... what about it.

I was frustrated with these pictures because I could not get my short ass high enough to get over the berry bushes. I was jumping up and down, Blahhh. I wanted to post them just the same. I thought they were kind of cool.

Hope you are doing well and life is being kind.

Hugs
August95

This...

2006-10-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

is what Cinder thinks of Mondays

So we had a fabu weekend. On Saturday, I had a friend over for a little portrait practice. She needed a new head shot and asked me to try my hand at it. I don't normally take people pictures and was worried about how they would look. I was really please with how they came out and so was she. Here is an example... Is she not a total babe? She was a great model and a good friend to be so patient while I dragger her around the park.

I have been having fun playing with the D70 and have been trying out filters for low light and different settings. Right now is mushroom time so I am hoping now to walk into any trees while looking at the ground.

Well D is calling me to come finish dinner. Have a great Monday. Enjoy!

Reflections of Sunshine

2006-10-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

The rain is falling today. Here is a rememberance of sunny times. Ok, so it was just a couple of weeks ago but still.

Post Walk

2006-10-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning Everyone.

Well the rain has started on the BC westcoast. It has been falling for 3 days. Can't complain to much about it since we have has such a good run of weather.

So this weekend, I decided I needed some time with my camera to take pictures for a contest I am entering. I got in my car and took the dogs out early Saturday. It was very misty and the fog looked like it was around until the rain chased it off.

The dogs and I were back in the car and headed for home. I looked over at one of the fields we drive by and what did I see....

A great big heron sitting at the edge just waiting for me to scare it off. I do a great big U turn and pull up just about to him. I get out of my car and round the bush he is standing behind. Every step I take towards him, he takes away from me until he finally has had enough and flies off. Gave me a great be honk sound before he was out of sight.

Got me so excited, I dropped the dogs off at home and headed straight back out with the camera.

Have a great day everyone.

Another Shroom

2006-10-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

We have only started to see these in the last two years. I found this little patch of them on the weekend.

Have a great Hump day.

Ribbit

2006-10-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well look at what I found this weekend.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving or just regular weekend.

Yikes

2006-10-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's can't really be this time of year again! The pumpkins are Orange in the field, I will try to get a picture for you.

Happy Hump Day

Still Standing

2006-09-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Wanted to let you all know that I am still standing. Working too hard but trying to have fun where I can.

Have to head back there right now as a matter of fact :)

I will be around soon.

Love and Hugs
August95

Thursday Again

2006-09-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

I seem to enjoy blogging on Thursdays... Not sure why.

Hope you are all doing ok out there. The long weekend was nice and relaxing. We went out of town overnight and had a chance to lay around and do nothing but feed and dress ourselves. Heaven!

So now it is turning to fall. Happening so fast. The crops are all coming to harvest and it will be Halloween before we know it.

Just working on getting out with the Camera and figuring out what the million buttons and settings do. It's fun but now... I need a macro lens. I know, women are never satisfied but hell, I do macro photography...

Work is very busy but now I have given up caring, it is a lot less stressful. I just have to keep reminding myself that I don't own the company and everything can't be my problem to solve. I gave my boss a list of the dozen or so things that I am falling behind on and now that he knows, he can chose to do something about it or let me drown. The one thing he can't do is say he didn't know. Shit I need a raise HA!

So, I have 15 mins before I have to be sitting at my desk. Guess I better get off the internet and go find my keys.

Have a great day and I will see you soon.

Monday, Monday

2006-08-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Well Good morning all you Bloggers.

After another intense week, D and I have a pretty nice weekend. We took the dogs out early on Saturday and went down to the water so they could have a swim. Cinder love the water and it's always hard to convince her it's time to go. Sometimes it hard to convince myself.

We took the dogs home and headed for the village of Steveston. This is the same area we went to for our anniversary dinner but we tried a new eatery. Not as good but right on the water.

After lunch and far too many carbs, we headed to Garry Point Park for a little walk around and some time with the camera. There were alot of people there but still it was a beautiful warm day and the kite's were out.

Sunday I mowed the lawn and D washed the cars. I laid out in the sun and read the newspaper. It was all good. Big Brother was on and I got to bed early. Here's hoping for a smooth week.

I wish the same to you all. Have a great Monday!

HA!

2006-08-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

The End of an Era Edited

2006-08-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it's all come to an end. I feel so bad to just leave it like this.

I'm moving on.

It was fun while it lasted and I really liked all the nice comments it got me.

But it really is time for a retirement.

Time to say goodbye.

This may be the last picture you ever see of mine.

TAKEN WITH MY NIKON 4300

SWEET

Ok so I didn't mean to make an announcement that I was leaving the blog. I would always leave it open as an option, even if I did't post.

The reason I say that the above picture was the last you would see with the Nikon 4300 is because... this is the 4300. The above is my anniversary present.

Survivor Thursday

2006-08-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

So here we are at Thursday. Hope we get to that weekend sooner than later. This week has really been a killer.

It took me some time to realize that the reason I am turning back into a negative miserable bitch... yes... bitch, is because I am not doing any of the things that make me not be a bitch.

I have not been walking or taking pictures or blogging. Well time to take control and do the things I love. Everyday is feeling more like a grind and I don't want that to me my whole life. Work life, fine but not home life. If all you do is work and recover from work, you are not having any fun at all.

I wanna have fun damn it and I am gonna do just that.

Bring the body the mind with follow. I am getting that tattoo some place on me. I keep forgetting. I don't want to forget.

That is all for today. I am going to go to work... not get into any fights and just keep my head down until 5:00. I am going to go home and do something I like and feel like doing. That should not be to hard.

Blank Blog

2006-08-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well as I said to Bloggy when he told me about it... Serves me right for not updating my blog. Seems it had better things to do than hang around waiting for me and went blank.

So work is mental... I hate mental work... that is all the time I am giving it. Today I came to the conclusion that I am must more suited to be a lady of leisure and intend on find a job doing just that HA!

Saturday was Mine and D's 11th Anniversary. We took some time out from working or recovering from working and we went out for dinner. It was sooo good. Best meal I have had in a long time. Classic Italian was the order of the day. I made reservations at a place in a fishing village near us called Steveston at a little place called Papi's Restaurante Italiano... Oh Please, I still have dreams about my Crab and Cheese Jumbo stuffed ravioli with prosciutto (sp?) and mushroom sauce. The food was out of this world and the bill didn't make me feel bad for going.

We were so full by the time we left that there was no way we could eat the cakes I had bough for at home... ah well, we ate them the very next day with the left overs from dinner.

Apart from the above, we have not done very much that would excite. Too much work and too much time recovering from all the work.

It's time to read some of my old posts about taking care of myself. I needs some inspiration.

Hope you are all out in the world and having happy days. I miss you all very much.

Hugs and Love
August95

Survivor Thursday

2006-08-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

I know survivor is not on right now but that is kind of how I'm feeling. So busy. Sometimes I just sit at my desk and look around and want to cry or run for the door. I don't cry or run for the door because that is just not my style.

What I do instead is mumble under my breath about all the things I hate about my job right now HA!

So with all the busy and the big boy companies wanting to play in my sandbox at the same time as show season. We have also been doing the annual cardiac tests. Everything is just fine. I have to do a little more working out and stuff but the valves are rocking and the blood is pumping in the right direction.

She did say my heart rate is only normal when I am asleep and quite high while at work. HA! Who you calling anxious... I am not anxious, I am just consciences right?

So yes busy and stressed but still happy as a stupid little clam that doesn't know not to be happy. Feeling good and enjoying life. D and I have been getting out with the dogs and have even gotten to the beach.

We have a long weekend this weekend and D and I are planning on spending a day laying on the couch eating popcorn and watching a couple of movies. Can't wait!

Oh, must make a note that we went out the other night for Anons 65th Birthday! Yippy Anon (Dad) Hope you had a wonderful birthday week.

Love and hugs to you all, I will be around to visit this weekend.

Where's August95

2006-07-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to pop my head in to say howdy. Work is so busy right now that I don't always remember to go to the bathroom or take a day off.

Very sorry not to have been around but it's Show Season and I don't have time to remember my name these days. I hope to get used to the stress level enough to not to want to nap all the time.

I am also in the middle of my annual cardiac testing. A head MRI on a Sunday morning is just not right. You should at least get time off for that kind of thing. This test was because they want to see why my horner's syndrome is not gone. Ah well the tech was sweet and nice and talked me though it.

D and I are trying to get out and walk as much a possible and are making sure to get on that treadmill. It has been very hot here and does not make me want to move to much. Anyways, I must head off for bed, so I bid you good night. Hope to see you sooner than later.

Love and hugs August95

Also an Anniversary

2006-07-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

Being the lazy blogger that I have become, I failed to be here for my own 2nd Anniversary yesterday. Happy 2nd Anniversary to my blog.

Please enjoy the cake and coffee. Hugs and Love August95.

Summer Solstice June 21st, 2006

2006-07-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

On the day of Summer Solstice, D and I took the dogs and the camera for a walk in our regular summer spot. However, on this day there was nothing regular about it. There was something magical in the air. We were walking up along the dusty road when we spotted a field of daisy's on the other side of the ridge. I had seen them before but today they were in full bloom, every single one of them.

D and I headed down to take a closer look. I, as usual lagged behind with my camera in my hand just to see what I could see. There was a bunch of Foxgloves to the right of the trail, so I wandered off to find the big fat bumbles I could hear humming around them. They don't sit still for long and I was not able to get what I came for. I settled for the next best thing. Some flower pictures of those beautiful Foxgloves.

As I turned to leave the most amazing thing happened. A group of little blue dragonflies came towards me. I turned back to the foxgloves and stood very still. One of them tried to land on me but I twitched and scared it off. One of them landed very near me and just stayed there. Sitting on the old stick, not moving at all.

In fact, it seems that whole walk was happening in slow motion. Maybe it really was. We had walked into their world, the animals and bugs and birds. We were both so aware of it. The world around us was alive. The air was buzzing with the work being done. I had a lot of very strange experiences that day with the animals. They were all moving in slow motion. Not in a hurry to get anywhere that day. D and I had fallen so quiet that as we were leaving to head home, we saw a full grown deer right over the ridge. D and I stood and watched as it moved on to find an evening meal.

"Solstice" is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. This was meant in terms of the sun standing still but I think it had that effect on the earth as well.

Have a great weekend.

Lazy Sunday

2006-06-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well we had our big day on Friday. Lots going on for us at work but still you have to find time to do something good for the soul as well as the community. At 5:00 we all got changed into our matching company T-Shirts and headed for the Community center. We arrived to to see the volunteers at the ready and our police escort on site.

Don't they just look cute and helpful.

And here she is, the girl herself. The Big Bike. What a lot of fun.

I know the middle row is empty. This meant a couple of things, first we had to work way harder and second, I could get a good shot right down the middle. What, we all have priorities. The weather on Friday was about 23 degrees Canadian (and I bet you always thought it stood for Celsius.) or 70 degree.

We peddled long and hard and we wore Black damn it. We are now in the process of changing the company colours to something on the lighter side.

I have to tell you that this event for the heart and stroke foundation was a lot of fun. I got some great prizes (all with a fitness theme) for the fund raising I did and in the end, with the generosity of Friends and Family I managed to raise $205.00. Not bad at all. As a team we raised over $1200.00.

We were very excited and made lots of noise on the bike. They play music for you and give you noise makers and a police escort front and back. What a great time. We hooted and hollered and waved at wide eyed little kids and old people alike. We had old men in their cars waving at us and pumping their arms in the air. We heckled teenagers that were too cool to wave until they did. It was just like being your own little parade. And when we got back, they gave us orange wedges and water, just like at soccer as a kid. I really had a great time.

On the personal side of this bike ride, it really helped me to feel more comfortable about using my body a little more. Being on a bike for the first time in years and doing so well, better than most was a great feeling. I dont' run behind my peers for the first time in my life. Now I can lead the way. I have the research funded by the Heart and Stroke foundation to thank for that in part.

Thank you to all of you who supported me on this big bike ride. To those you donated or lent support. YOU ROCK!!!

Happy Hump Day

2006-06-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Look it's hump day again. So exciting!

We are gearing up for the big bike race on Friday. Gotta find some thing princessish to wear. As you know, I plan to sit at that back of the big bike built for 30 and not over do it. I wanna dress up all funny but no one else will play alone... kill joys. My fund raising efforts have gone well... thank you to all who donated. I really am so touched.

I don't really have a ton going on right now. Work is ok, we are getting ready for Show season. This is the busiest time of the year for us. If you want to have it for Christmas, we have to sell it to the stores now. Our first show starts at the beginning of July and the last show is the beginning of September. We are pretty much crazy from now until Christmas.

Anyways, I hope your week goes fast and fun for you. I will post pictures of the Big big after we are done. Be good or safe... you choose.

Help

2006-06-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I need your help. Please visit my friend Oopseedaisee. She has posted a very moving post about a young lady that could use our support and prayers. Oopsee is going to send our comments out to Kayla, so make then good and make them often.

Hugs and love to you Susan.

Pay Day Thursday

2006-06-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yippy it's the 15th, spending payday, My favorite. So I got busy with the flower arranging last night. That is always fun. D went out to the front yard and cut a bunch of roses for me. I have started to work with what I have, so I am arranging roses with long sprigs of Mint. Strange I know but it works. Below is an example of one of my rose bushes. I can't take any credit for them at all. They were here when we arrived and I think they have survived forever with or without any attention from humans. Gotta love those roses.

So glad to be getting to Friday, This week has been exciting and fun at work but yesterday started to drag. I was running a low grade fever for the second time in two weeks. Ah well, maybe my brain knew that all my heart appointment letters were sitting in the mail box at home. I start the poking and prodding rounds again July 11th and should be done with them Aug 1st when I see the cardio. They will then have to leave me alone for another year. I punked out of my Cardiac Stress test because I don't think my body would be very happy if I over do it. Anyways, I better go get ready for the day. Enjoy Thursday.

Hump Day

2006-06-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday seemed to take all day to go by. Well it did take all day to go by but you know what I mean. I am covering all sorts of strange jobs at work right now.

It means I am learning something new every hour of every day. Things are not boring for me right now at all. It sure is nice to be needed and engaged at work. I really am having some fun.

See this Strawberry, it is the first one of the season. Spring has sprung and it brought Strawberries with it. I didn't get to eat it, D did. I had the second one of the season and damn it was good. Nice and warm by the sun. Owww, I love that.

Anyways, enjoy the day. We are sliding into the weekend. Anyone doing anything fun?

Evil Kitty Tuesday

2006-06-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Office Use Only:

[OK folks, you know who you are. I hit you all up last night for the big bike for Heart and Stroke foundation. Pledge soon pledge often. If you didn't get an email from me and you think you should have... email me for details.]

Another Important Note Of Business! TODAY IS SWIRLYBUNNS BIRTHDAY! She continues to be OLDER than me HA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG SISTER

Back to the regular program.

So we are a dog house around here. We love our dogs, spoil our dogs. Feel guilty when we don't give them exactly what they want. But did you know that it's a cat that rules this roost. An 80 lb Lab does her bidding and a 65 lb Pittie X bows down before her. Queen Minoux!

But because we ARE all about the dogs...

Monday, Monday

2006-06-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We had a nice weekend. J came over from Vancouver Island to pick up her puppy Jack. She stayed over the night before at my place and then went to get him. So nice to get to spend time with a good friend.

On Sunday, D and I went for a good walk in the beautiful weather. We are managing to get out almost everyday. The weather has been sooo good and I am slowly working on my tan. Yippy Summer is here!

Anyways, have a very groovy day.

Hump Day

2006-06-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

Wednesday and here I see that I have not posted since May. Wow! Not much going on with me right now. I have been fairly pain free for the last three weeks... Yippy!

D and I are getting out for a good long walk everyday. We are enjoying the sunshine and the time together. Trying to get in better shape and avoid all the development encroaching on our walking area.

Feeling a bit blue the last week and finally being pain free has left me with enough time to feel the feeling that go with the last year. I don't really want to because I feel like it has taken so much of my time already.

So, I am over and out for today. Got to go get ready for the day. Enjoy Wednesday. Hugs and stuff.

And Now For Mother Nature

2006-05-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

So we had the animal show here on Monday, now it's time for a little Mother Nature hard at work.

I hope you are all enjoying the week and having a little fun.

Back at it!

2006-05-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning. D and I have been on holiday for the last week. We have driven all over the place and visited the inlaws, mine and his.

We took it easy once we arrived back home. D worked on recovering the stuff in the boat and I worked on watching my Harry Potter movie collect. Both were a success.

That leaves me here... Monday morning. Yuck! So, I took a bunch of photo's and thought I would share them here. Let's start with the animal factor. Thank you all for your love wishes last week, hug and kisses to you all.

A Year In

2006-05-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, that was the title of my first post way back in July of 2004. If I had known back then what the last couple of years would look like for me, I have to assume that starting this blog was in some way meant to be.

To have found the support of my Friends and Family online, to see myself in a different way. To be told by you that I was a strong woman and I could get through whatever God chose for me to carry.

All of that has been courtesy of the Blog and all of you. You held me up when all I wanted to do was crumble to the ground. You gave me support and laughter when I needed it the most. You encouraged me to take photographs and told me I was good at it. You will never understand the impact this has had on me.

My life has been change because of my experiences since starting this blog. It is all right here in these pages. The pain is gone for now, I guess it took my threats seriously. :) I always said "I'm giving it a year..." Not sure what I was going to do after that time but still the threats worked, for now anyways.

This time last year I was en route to St. Paul's Hospital. Today I am sitting at my computer because of the grace of God and a very smart and handsome Doctor. Thank you to my Mom, Alan and D for the bed side duty, Swirlybunns, Dad and Lady J for the love and support. Jess for the Friendship and ear. Thank you Dr. Campbell for giving me my life back. See you at the finish line.

Early Morning Walks

2006-05-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

I have lost my mind. For the last few days I have been waking up an hour before my alarm even thinks about going off. I get out of bed and take a shower like a normal person. And Then, Then I put on sweat pants and a sweat shirt and do you know what I do.

I get in the car and I drive the dogs to the dykes for a walk. What the hell is that all about. Maybe because the first anniversary of my surgery is on Saturday, my body has decided to give me all that energy I was so often promised and has been sooooo long in coming. Ah well, under the new life theory, I am appreciating it and squeezing everything out of it I can. You never know what tomorrow brings.

So, what does this mean for you. Well, lots of snail and water droplet pictures. Early morning sunshine and all that.

Enjoy all the day brings.

Hugs and such August95

Here is a shot I took for Squirl on Saturday but never got to post.

Here are the snails I promised and I would hate to lie to you. :)

Sun Shiny Toe Tappy Day

2006-05-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

It's Saturday. It's 2:30 in the afternoon but I am just getting started. I took the dogs out for a walk this morning... ergo the name The Walk. Maybe I should rename the blog. How would, my dogs have a PHD in guilt. Sound good?

I had to go into the office for a couple of hours. I could have stayed all day but the boss had to leave and since I don't want a key to the building, I had to go.

Oh sounds like D just got home from his Saturday shit... I mean Shift. Hi D.

Anyways, here is a picture I took on the dykes this morning. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Love and Hugs
August95

Friday!

2006-05-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

** Hey, I am bumping this post so the last two days will be out of order. D is very worried that no one has noticed that there is a snail and a slug on the stick below. I don't really care but he keeps mentioning it so I am pointing it out. I told him maybe he is the only one that thinks that is an exciting thing. He just thinks there are no slugs back east so you all don't know what a slug is.

Hey, it's Friday evening and D and I are hanging out, drinking wine and watching TV. Well, I am drinking wine and D is having a beer... oh shock, oh surprise HA!

D has been working on making new captains seats for the boat. We used to have perfectly good seats in the boat. They even turned into small beds when you lay them flat. D was not happy with them so he has been shaping foam and drilling all week. He built some awesome seat but they were too much of a pain in the ass to cover. He is now working on boat seat V3. He will also be sewing them and doing the upholstery as well. You have to love a man that can sew as well as cook.

I will be more than happy to show you picture of them when he is good and finished.

Anyways, wine and blogging don't mix so I am outta here. I just wanted to say Howdy and show you this picture again. What do you see?

Survivor Thursday

2006-05-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

So this morning I had a bunch niggaling at my mind... yes it's a word. I was up very early at walking on the dykes by 6:00. What the hell is that all about.

I thought I would share some pictures from this morning. Have a great Thursday.

Happy Monday!

2006-05-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining and everything is starting to bloom. Enjoy the day :)

Happy Hump Day

2006-05-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me yesterday and I wanted to share it here. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a
Friday?

He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my
friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping
him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten
feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled
around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks.

They really should get lives.

" He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen
him before.

He said he had gone to private
school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends.

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I
liked him, and my friends thought the
same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books
again.

I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books everyday!

" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors, we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a
problem.

He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football
scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be
great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and
smiled.

"Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through
those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly
your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a
friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the
first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have
to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy
told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful
smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each other's lives to
impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble
remembering how to fly."

There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is mystery.

Today is a gift.

Not Tulip Tuesday

2006-05-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Around here we do things a bit differently. Tulips for Monday and big pink daisies for Tuesday.

The sun is shining today and we got out for a good walk yesterday. I can't complain. D has been taking awesome care of me and I am super thankful for that.

Todays word of the day... hope.

Rock on Groovy people.

Monday

2006-05-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned lately that you all Rock? Well if not, You All Rock.

Here is a picture I took last weekend. Have a great day.

What's Up

2006-04-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Life has been ticking along, I have been trying to get by day by day.

It has been hard for me to come here and say the same thing over and over. I feel a great deal of guilt for not coming here but at the same time, I am out of things to talk about. Pain, pain, pain. Who cares. I am trying to keep my spirits up. I try to get out as much as I can. Work is stressful with a capital stress.

Thank you for all the well wishes and words of love and care. Thank you for your comments here and for those of you that sent emails. Hugs and love to you.

There has to be a cure for this pain. I have to believe that there is. Wish I could have come here and told you it was all roses. Maybe we will have to settle for daisies.

Crappy Eagle Pictures

2006-04-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so the Eagles weren't crappy but my camera could use an UPGRADE D. No I am not hinting, hinting is more subtle.

So, I told you I got myself in some trouble with a big mud pit. I was trying to get these pictures.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.

Stick in the Mud

2006-04-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to pop in and say Good Monday Morning. Job is going pretty good, pain is still on hold. I am not sure what to do with myself.

We are creeping up on 10,000 visitors today at The Walk. I know how bad I have been but since I do this for fun, I hope you will all forgive my lazy blogging. It has taken me almost two years to get here but we believe in the quality of our visitors rather and the quantity and you guys are quality for sure.

D and I had fun this weekend. He finished school on Satuday and now has to book and sit his exam. I am sure he will do better than fine.

We went to the pub for lunch yesterday... something we said we were not going to do. This meant we had to make it up by going for a good walk. We decided to go to the echo dump and wander around. It's a good thing D was with me and that I am feeling as good as I do. I walked into some quick sand type mud and ended up very very stuck in the mud. All I kept thinking was... no not my camera hahaha.

I was a bit disappointed to get home and see the shots I had risked my life and camera for. There were a couple of young eagles in the trees and I was determined to get them. My zoom lens and the eagles had different ideas.

I need to clean the pictures up a bit but I promise to post them later today. Sorry for the tease but you may just end up the luck 10,000 visitor. Leave me a comment if you are the lucky IP. But lucky I don't mean you win a prize or anything but lucky all the same HA!

Have a funky Monday, I have to go drop Max off at doggy daycare today from my friend Doobes so I better boogie.

And Puppy Dog Tails

2006-04-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone.

Been a sort of busy couple of days. We had Mom's birthday on Sunday and Swirlybunns was nice enough to host the party. It was really good to see everyone and get a chance to sit and talk.

I had a great time with the kids, they both enjoyed their birthday presents... I have not seen then in a little while and one of them had a birthday last week. She just turned 12... ahhhhh.

One of the funny things about going over there are the dogs. Mom has a little Jimmy and Swirly has 3 little punters, I mean little cuties. The littlest of them all was quite taken with D and jumped all over him. It was a hoot to see this little bitty thing jumping on the big D.

So yesterday, I was back at the hospital to see the big surgeon. My breast bone did not heal right after my surgery and now we have to figure out if it's worth re-opening it and starting again. The choice, unfortunately is up to me. If I don't get better and my pain doesn't go away and it causes me to much trouble. I say we go and we go.

My plan now my pain is on hiatus is to try to get the muscles around the bones as strong as I can. This should give me some extra support and have the added bonus of lifting my boobs... see, there is always a silver lining HA!

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful day. Happy Tuesday.

The Walk... Now Pain Free

2006-03-31T07:29:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone,

We are celebrating a week pain free here at the Walk... Have a cup cake.

I am currently living under the rule that, if I am in pain tomorrow, I better have a butt load of fun today... Lets just hope that the pain doesn't come back and I am just living my life to the butt load everyday hahaha.

So last Friday, one of the least crazy people at my work left for good. It's too bad because she and I are friends and I really miss her. We still see each other regularly but it's just strange she is not at her desk.

I see she is not there really clearly because I am sitting at her desk... Nice. I moved over there yesterday morning right after I was offered a new position in the company. Today will be my first day of learning new things... yippy. I am a big fan of a free education, plus my boss always loves when you can do multiple things within the company and I am all for that. Changes, changes, changes.

Anyways, D and I am going to stay home this weekend and just hang out together. No big hairy plans or anything. Hope you all have a wonderful time with your time off.

Re-evaluated

2006-03-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone,

As the fog of the last year and a half starts to lift and I get the chance to think of other things, I find myself re-evaluated the person I have become through this process.

D and I were discussing it last night, it has certainly made me a harder person. That is not a bad thing. Sometimes being too soft can cost you. As you need to build a thicker skin, you either get harder or you crumble. Since I am still standing, I clearly chose the former.

I am becoming fond of saying that I have taken the welcome mat off my back. Always to quick to say yes, to let other take advantage. I don't consider that I am bitter, just stronger.

Pain is a funny thing, you can't see straight or think straight and all you want to do it get out of your body as fast as you can. I started to see my life as a round of pain, pain pills and naps on the couch. The only thing I could see straight was that this was not what I wanted in my life. I did not go through such a trauma to end up sick and broken.

Things are not finished for me, I see that but still, again I have hope in my life. The joy I feel at having my body back has put me over the moon.

You know I will push it, that is my nature. I am trying really hard not too but having been unable to dance and act the fool for this long has left me bottled up at best and ready to get real silly at worst.

I feel a certain sorrow these days at the friends I have lost in this process. I also feel a little sad for the naivete that I have lost. Some of this will not be repairable, some will.

Now it's time to see what this body can do. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

A New Day Dawns

2006-03-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone!

I don't remember if I told you this or not but I went to see my guy on Friday. By my guy I don't mean D, this is my other guy. This guy gives joy and relief to those in pain. I met him a long time ago and I don't know why it took me so long to get back to him.

After the pain dude mentioned that he thought it was bones and muscles and not nerves that were causing me all this pain... I stopped and re-thought the action plan. Then I remembered my guy. He is a chiropractor by trade but does a non cracking form... more like a pilates, lengthen and strengthen is the thing. After one visit with him, I feel like a shiny new penny. I am sure we will be seeing a lot of each other over the next couple of weeks but if I feel this good after one time... hell I will move in to his office if he lets me.

So you ask, "what did you do with your new found well being" Well, I cleaned the house and went grocery shopping HA! I liked it too.

Anyhoober, have a wonderful Monday and really and truly, I thank you all for your wonderful support. I am not so causiously optimistic that I can now get on with my life. I may not get to do the sun run this year but I can start to get in shape before the sun is to high in the sky. Yippy Yippy...

Not Survivor Thursday

2006-03-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

So there will be no survivor until the end of the month. What's with that, I guess I will have to find something wild and exciting to do tonight instead.

So my lovelies, I have not been around much because the pain has got me again. Please hold your applause... I mean sympathy. I am hoping to get some help from a Dr. I have seen in the past. I does great with bones and spines and such and I am hoping that he can do his magic again. Tomorrow is the day, now I just hope I can move enough to drive there HA!

My week as you can imagine has been a little lack luster. I don't have much to report because I have only seen the TV from the couch for the last two days. I don't really remember what I watch because I seem to just click through the 130 stations over and over again.

Today I think I will try going to work and hope (there's that word again) for the best.

May your week be going fast and painless. Hoping to be able to sit here long enough to get to visit with you soon.

Hugs and Blove August95.

Titleless Tuesday

2006-03-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I can't believe the amount of trouble Blogger has been having over the last two days. I try not to freak out now when it says my page is not available.

So this weekend, D and I went out of town and had a great ol time. D went to school on Saturday morning then headed out. I got all the food ready in advance, so for dinner on Saturday we had grilled garlic steak and lemon rosemarie chicken with package potatoes and onions and a spring green salad. Man was that good.

I got up early and got in the big bath tub my MIL has and had a nice bubbly soak. D got up and we had a big breakfast and then headed into the woods. I am not feeling 100% in the pain department so we took it just a little bit easy. No big mountains to climb lol.

We spent about two hours walking around the trees and taking pictures. The dogs have such a great time running free and jumping in the various ponds on the property. Now that is the way to live.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. More pictures to follow.

Friday Tag

2006-03-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone, Yippy it's Friday... I have been tagged by way of email. By my Sister Swirlybuns (link that way) ----> Who does not really blog much anymore, since she is doing the school thing.

She has asked me to fill it out and then email it around. Not really my thing so I thought I would hijack it and bore you all with it HA!

I am very glad the week is over and after D gets done with School on Saturday, we are going to go into hibernation. Let the cooking begin! Happy Friday.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
Tour guide at the Port Moody Museum
Reservation agent for tour bus company
Mortgage Brokers Assistant
Realtor babysitter

Four movies I would watch over and over:
Harry Potter
Evita
Serenity
Buffy the Vampire Slayers Once More with Feeling (what)

Four places I have lived:
Richmond
Coquitlam
Pitt Meadows
Port Moody

Four TV shows I love to watch:
Bones
Martha Stewart
House
Canadian & American Idol

Four places I have been on vacation:
England
Cultus Lake
Birch Bay
Vegas Baby

Four of my favorite foods:
Steak and all the fixings
Big ass chef's salad
Beef Souvlaki
Butter Chicken & Rice

Four places I would rather be right now:
With D
Pool side in a sunny destination, with a cabin boy to bring me fruity drinks.
On a long walk with lots of trees and the dogs running free
The millionaires club

Four dreams you have:
I go to work without my pants on... oh, not those kinds of dreams
Of being a famous singer
Of getting paid to take pictures
Of not having to do the daily grind
My Pain would just go away one day and not come back

Still with me. Ok good, we are currently holding an open house at work. The big boss has brought in all kinds of groovy flowers to fill the vases with.

Here are some pictures I took when I should have been working. Have an awesome weekend.

Hump Day... Now with more beaver

2006-03-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

Good morning Everyone. It's hump day and we are on our way to the weekend. Not too much to report. Pain ok, work ok, life ok. D is working nights still... I think this is week three. Although I enjoy my own company, I get a bit bored with myself and want my man back.

I have been getting out everyday with the dogs and walking the dykes and sand dunes after work. The weather was very strange yesterday, rain, sun and little lightening thrown in for the fun of it.

No good food talk to report... Kraft dinner and cheese pleasers for dinner last night. I think I should have a salad for lunch hahah.

Anyways, I better run. Have a great Wednesday. D and I are heading out of town this weekend. I will be keeping an eye out for the beaver. Here is where the little shit has set up home. Bet he ate all the fish in the pond...

Not Monday Tuesday

2006-03-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

So did you all watch Martha's cooking school yesterday... no, well I think most of you know how to cook your butts off anyways. I have it on right now so I can't tell you if it was good or not. I think it is going on all week so set your pvr to record.

Yesterday was mercifully fast and I hope the rest of the week goes that way. We are working on our last show of the season and since it ends today, I will be getting really busy this week.

Not to much more to report, I am in charge of dog walking again... now that the light is hanging around longer. It's really great to get out there again, watch the sunset and worship mother nature in all her glory.

I have also noticed that the birds are on the move again. Lots of them flying around in the evenings. Big groups of crows, the odd eagle, lots of ducks every where and pheasants in the grass. It's still pretty muddy out there but I don't mind.

Thank you all for stopping over at Susie's and wishing her some blove... you are such good people.

Mah Monday

2006-03-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome everyone, It's Monday again. If I find out how this is happening, I swear I will make it stop.

The weekend was pretty fun, D went to school on Saturday so I was just hanging out cleaning the house. My buddy Doobes called and we decided it was high time my dorks met her dork. You have met Max before... Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but you try getting them to stand still.

They got on quite well, except for Odin's on going crotch attraction. Cinder was great with Max and no one got too jealous when I handed him a little love. Cookies were handed out and lots of running ensued.

Saturday Night D and I went shopping for groceries and on Sunday much cooking was done. I roasted a whole chicken, stuffed with Lemon and Rosemarie and then made soup with the bones. It sure was good.

Oh, I wanted to let you all know that starting today, Martha Stewart is teaching basic cooking lessons on her daily talk show. If you need a little extra help in the kitchen, this should be a good series to see.

Anyways, I gotta run and get the day started. Please do me a favour today... My Friend Susie could use a little love and laughter today. She is an A1 lady and I would appreciate it if you could stop over and leave her a little joke or some love.

Fungi Friday

2006-03-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Friday at The Walk. So nice to see you all again. I was off work yesterday because D shared his flu germs with me and since I am a receptacle for bacteria right now... I got sick AGAIN.

Oh well, I am not the type to be kept down and so I am back up and getting ready for work. It's been a long week with meetings that had nothing to do with work. Way too emotional for me. I just tend to shut down when things get like that. Here's hoping that it's all over.

We got snow last night, a good size dump of it too. I will see if there is any hanging around this afternoon to take pictures of. Sounds like we will, they just said more is on the way.

We don't have any big plans this weekend, D is still not feeling great and he has school tomorrow. He is almost done and getting ready for his big test. I think we will just hand around the house and watch some movies. I am sure there will be lots of cooking again as well.

So, I have some picture I took last weekend and since I haven't been around much this week, I am just putting them up now.

Have a great weekend everyone and groove on. :)

Weekend Away

2006-03-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

Good day to you all. D and I went away this weekend. We weren't going to because D now has the flu and I just plain didn't wanna. We decided that we should just suck it up and go. We knew it would be worth it when we got there and we were right.

We were back up at the in-laws. They are away for awhile and we are taking advantage of their land to roam free in. It was not the greatest weather but almost perfect for hiking around in.

We got up there on Saturday afternoon and had a little lunch. We tromped around outside near the lake and then decided to hang out and let the dogs play.

I got up in the morning before D and I took the dogs for a walk in the woods. When D got up, we had some bacon and eggs and a little something in our coffee. We got all bundled up and headed into the woods.

It was a very nice, away from it all kind of weekend. DVD's were watch, junk was eaten, drinks were drank. Very good.

The Walk in the Garden

Lessons from the Garden.

Quick pickled cucumbers

Four Years

Update from the garden

Happy Easter

Ok

Birthday Eve

Time

Where the hell...

Friday Things

Done Waiting

In waiting

SPRING!

Birthday Post

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Post Christmas Post

Well Shit!

Shopping Shopping Shopping

Holy Lazy Batman

The Walk

Finally Friday

Now... for more on that later.

What

Corn!

Really Quick

Rain Rain... what the hell it's almost August!

More From the Veg Patch!

Heat Wave

Wait!

Oh Canada!

Visitors

Strange Day

Happy Friday

Getting Ready

Today In the Garden

For the Pictures

For the Blog of It

Day Three

Working My Way Back

Cha, Cha, Changes.

For My Self *Edited*

Woot Woot!

Happy Birthday D

The Time In Between

Two More Sleeps

Finally Friday

Hurt

Gone to the Birds

I work therefore I am

This...

Reflections of Sunshine

Post Walk

Another Shroom

Ribbit

Yikes

Still Standing

Thursday Again

Monday, Monday

HA!

The End of an Era** Edited**

Survivor Thursday

Blank Blog

Survivor Thursday

Where's August95

Also an Anniversary

Summer Solstice June 21st, 2006

Lazy Sunday

Happy Hump Day

Help

Pay Day Thursday

Hump Day

Evil Kitty Tuesday

Monday, Monday

Hump Day

And Now For Mother Nature

Back at it!

A Year In

Early Morning Walks

Sun Shiny Toe Tappy Day

For My Self Edited

The End of an Era Edited