poppies and pawprints

Sigh...what is going on?

2012-01-25T22:34:00.000-08:00

He came in the room just as I finished

tidying up. I looked at him and felt so

much emotion rush thru me! Throwing

my arms around him, I gave him a big

hug and kiss. "Are you playing with me?"

he asked. "No", I said, shaking my head,

"I love you, Mr. P."

And that's when I woke up. We broke up 5 months ago. Why am I dreaming about him now? What does it all mean?

HELLOOOOO 2012!

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2011! I'm so ready to move on to a new year and new plans. But first, some of last year's accomplishments should be shared and celebrated!

~In April, Mini got a job at one of the 'Big-Box' stores! She's done really well and is on management's radar. November brought a promotion to a different position and a pay raise. It also brought a new, 4 AM start time, which we are slowly adjusting to.

~Last January I set out to lose 30 pounds, thru a change in life-style habits. Christmas Day I weighed in 33 pounds lighter and several sizes smaller than I was at the start of the year! It's amazing and a huge accomplishment. The reward is looking and feeling so much better. Being able to wear cute and stylish clothes that fit. No more 'fat-sucking garments' needed to be able to fit into a dress! And I found a love of power-walking in the process! Bonus after bonus!

Yesterday Mini and I found ourselves on a walk and ended up at a coffee shop nearby. Just a casual and low-key start to the year. We shared soup and a grilled 4-cheese sandwich that was so, so good! And snapped a few pics to remember the day. One of my plans for this year~to take more pictures. To keep a better record of the year, both with photos and writing.

And my wish for the New Year? That we all have a year filled with love, laughter and good health.

Happy New Year!

GOAL WEIGHT SURPASSED!!

2011-10-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was so excited this morning to see I was

below my goal weight of 130!

The scale read: 129.8

So I've now got a new goal: 125!

fabulous photo taken Sept 18th by the talented photographer

Erica Miller

REVVING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

2011-10-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

The Annual Motorcycle Toy Run took place on the weekend. There's nothing like the

rmmm, rmmm of about 1500 bikes to rev things up on a Sunday morning!

There were big bikes, smaller bikes, dirt bikes,

3-wheeled bikes, bad-ass guys on bikes, clean cut guys on bikes, and,

I was happy to see,

lots of women driving bikes!

I took my new camera, the one I got with Airmiles, and am so

pleased with the photos~they are amazingly clear!

This is really the start of the festive season events, and one of my favorites!

I wish I was bad-ass enough to ride a bike!

BIGGEST LOSER UPDATE!!

2011-07-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

After winning 'Biggest Loser' at work in April, I knew the winnings should go to something personal, that would remind me of my accomplishment often. That eliminated clothing, anything breakable, or something that might get used up. I thought about things I really loved, and after seeing a beautiful ring on a lady at a cooking class one night, decided on a turquoise ring. She directed me to a local jewelry maker, and I placed the order the next day! I picked it up a couple of weeks ago~isn't it spendid? I've had so many compliments on it!

As of now, my weight is holding at 23 pounds lost! The rest seems to want to come off slowly. That's OK tho. It took 5 years to gain the 30 pounds and I'm persevering! More about that journey at:
http://ishouldbedoingpushups.blogspot.com/

TIME FOR A MOVE?

2011-06-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of weeks I've been increasing fed up with Google and am contemplating moving to Wordpress. I like that I can have a cute blog here~because I am all about cute and adorable~but maybe I could manage that there too, with a little help. I am so tired of getting pages telling me my request is invalid and randomly being directed back to a sign-in page right in the middle of a task. The clincher for me tho, was finding my computer switched to 'Google Chrome' out of the blue earlier this week. I was shocked, as I didn't download it. Suddenly my toolbar was gone along with my favorites button! I was able to switch back, but it was a bit of a painful process, with all the 'invalid request' pages and the 'we were unable to sign you out' pages that kept appearing. So what do you think? Does anyone have any experience with other blogging sites? Any advice or suggestions?

MOTHER'S DAY

2011-05-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

The good Things~

A deer in the woods next to our complex. The bright spot to my morning..

Insane cuteness down the road from the barn!

If you go to the fence, the donkeys will come over to you.

Adorable!

And of course, my lovely Mini!

The Bad Things~

'Nuff said..

LAST YEAR...

2011-04-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

...these capris were soooo tight!

Now they barely stay up!

Yay me!!

BIGGEST LOSER AND WEEKEND UPDATES!

2011-04-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

I won! I lost just a hair under 14 pounds! My hard work is paying off, pants and dresses I'd given up hope of wearing ever again are fitting. One lovely dress will have to be taken in! I went to the 'SHARE' box in the garage and took out some cute capris that will fit in another 5-10 pounds! I'm now down 14.5 pounds, and have set my next goal for 140. My prize? A $50 gift cert. at the place of my choice!

On Saturday Mini and I went to my brother's to celebrate his birthday. It was one of those milestone birthdays, and he made dinner for us~kind of backwards, I know, but he wanted to barbeque steak. So we took wine and bread and our card and gift and had a great time! We ate steak and broiled tomatoes and asparagus and cake! It was soooo good. (So good that I went out yesterday and picked up a little barbeque for Mini and I.)

At one point in the evening, I was scrolling thru my camera, looking for some photos to show my bro and came across some pics of mr pawprint and I at the beach last summer. I wasn't prepared for that, or for the pang of sadness that pierced my heart...

And I'm off to power walk in the sunshine~hope y'all are having a great Monday!

ROUND 2...

2011-03-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Early this morning I had to step over JulieBella on my way to tinkle. Next thing, she'd grabbed my foot with her claws and was biting! I shook her off and grabbed the nearest weapon. "Back off," I said, "I've got toilet paper!" She threw me a look that clearly said 'loser' and left. Do I know how to fight back or what?

BELLA

2011-03-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

My poor Bella turned into a screaming psycho-kitty today at the vet. She bit, slashed, clawed, hissed and spit at anyone within reach. This not only included the vet, but me too! Altho we washed really well right away with antiseptic soap, a couple of hours into my shift my finger was swollen, red and sore~I'm waiting for the red line to go up my arm! Poor mite~next year she's getting sedated. And yes, I'm on antibiotics...

THE BIGGEST LOSER...

2011-03-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

At the end of last year, I decided 2011 would be the year to tackle getting back into shape and loose those pesky pounds that I've put on over the last few years. January was the start of 'The Biggest Loser' at work. I was determined! So I started by using fat-free cream in my coffee and limiting alcohol and promptly lost 3 pounds! Of course, I'm limiting portions and drinking about 2L of water a day. I'm sure running to the biffy a jillion times a day is burning off a butt-load of calories!

Last Monday I started a fitness challenge. I power-walked four times and did some strength training. When Mini goes to the barn I get into my walking duds (newly purchased. It's been very cold here. My pajama fleece pants just weren't cutting it!) and head out onto creepy Lincoln Ave and book it. My cell phone serves as a timer for intervals and an old barbeque lighter makes for a flashlight~there are no street lights~like I said, creepy. Since January I've lost 7 3/4 pounds! And I'm sleeping better.

Mini and I just signed up for a 40 KM bike ride in May! It's a fund raiser, and teams have access to 2 months of personal training~circuits, bike riding, strenth training, nutrition, etc~all FREE! Who could pass up 2 free months of personal training? I'm pretty stoked about it all! Especially since there's a high-school reunion this summer. It'd be nice to look smokin' hot for it...

I wanted this year to really be a time to focus on me, and doing things to make me feel good about myself, things that make me happy. Years ago, when I worked out a lot~weights, martial arts, played a little hockey (a Mom's team. We were pretty awful. Lost every game! Had tons of fun!) I felt the most beautiful when I worked out, doing things to make my body my friend.

Added bonus~the cool things you see when you're out walking~ 7 herons sitting in a conservation area of the farm and the first time ever sighting of a skunk! Even creepy Lincoln Ave has a mini donkey farm. Let me tell you, they are cuter than cute!

CHANGES...

2011-03-03T23:31:00.000-08:00

I guess I knew, when mr.p moved to his own place, that it was the beginning of the end for us. We parted ways a few days before Valentines, and it was heated and a bit ugly, and hurtful things were said..the same old arguments with nothing getting resolved. Well, except for the break-up part~that was resolved. And even tho it's the best decision for everyone, there are moments when I miss him so completely that it almost takes my breath away. And there are many more moments when I think 'yes~ this feels right'. I'm holding on to those moments, making them last and letting that feeling guide me as I make other changes in my life.

MY NEWEST TOY...

2011-02-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

Isn't the color fabulous? I love it!

THE NEW CHAMPEEN!!

2011-01-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

Fun eve last night~playing Wii bowling! Guess who's the new champeen? The last game I 'bowled' a strike or a spare every frame! It was total fun, and so much easier than real 10-pin bowling, with no heavy ball to lift. Even so, I think a trip to the bowling alley is in the future!

2011-01-03T00:54:00.000-08:00

I've been treating myself to cooking classes lately~classes I think will be fun with some learning too. My goal is to take one a month. Since October I've taken classes on Thanksgiving side dishes, soups and breads, and an Italian Antipasto Platter~it's been awesome! While I enjoy baking, cooking dinners isn't really my thing, but I made a Linguine Puttanesca while my Mom was here visiting between Christmas and New Years. It was pretty easy and sooo tasty! Usually we just dish everything up from the stovetop, but that night I put the pasta on a platter and chopped up a little fresh parsley for garnish. Looks so much more appetizing! I can't say that we'll give up our stove-scooping ways, but honestly, the pretty presentation made the whole meal taste better! It's for sure~I'll be pulling out the platters more often!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T01:34:00.000-08:00

We spent a quiet evening~moving furniture! I bought 2 new chairs at Ikea a couple days ago and mr pawprint put them together, then we re-arranged everything. It's way more spacious! I love the POANG chairs. My brother has them in blue, mine are off white and look awesome with the white leather couch. The cat has claimed one already! She bit me when I tried to move her off it!
We watched 'Get Him To The Greek', had some appies and I made a whoppin' big martini. I'm really, really happy to see the hind end of 2010. It's been a very stressful year, and I'm hoping for a better 2011.
Happy New Year everyone!!

MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2010-12-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a Christmas filled with Peace, Love and Joy!!

PARTY TIME~

2010-12-22T23:41:00.000-08:00

We recently attended my work Christmas Party,

where I may have gotten up in front of the crowd, along with a few of my co-workers, dressed in a glittered hard-hat and my daughter's old steel-toed boots, and sung a specially written parody to the tune of 'YMCA'. What a hoot! It was a fun night~great food, and the Mr even got up and danced 4 or 5 times. I've been advised not to quit my day job tho, so I guess a singing career is out of the question, Sigh...

A COZY CORNER...

2010-12-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday I had my pre-Christmas meltdown.

I felt overwhelmed and under-prepared.

I felt like the kitchen reno would never be finished

and I am so tired of living with it half done.

Once the tears stopped, I started clearing out stuff~the recycling bins

and reno supplies.

And I decided to make some prettiness in one corner.

My Mom will be visiting over Christmas and I wanted a spot for her to sit

and visit with me when I'm doing kitchen prep.

I'm pretty happy with it!

As for feeling overwhelmed, I've decided that anything not done now just doesn't matter.

Oh, I'll still wrap presents and do some baking for Christmas dinner,

but that's it!

Mr Pawprint put up my outside lights on the weekend, I've got my cozy kitchen corner,

and I just want to enjoy the prettyful for the rest of the year.

AN ITCHY, RASHY MESS!

2010-11-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness~I've reacted to the contrast dye from last weeks scan~I'd like to tear my skin off, it's that itchy! It seems that there's no spot on my body that isn't a rashy, blotchy mess, altho it's faded some from my face and I don't look like Howdy Doody this morning. I'll be hitting the tub again for another baking soda and oatmeal bath, and if anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears! Itchy, red ears!

IMAGES FOR A CURE PHOTO SHOOT!

2010-11-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

On Friday Mini and I had photos taken. I found 'Images for a Cure' awhile ago online and was pleased to find a photographer in my area who was participating! Mini and I chose 'Glamour' for our theme: satin, faux fur, birdcage veils, hair fascinators and sparkly jewelry! It was total fun and I'm so glad we did it! Our photographer, Melissa Knowles totally rocked! Here's a teaser~more to come!

IT'S ALL NORMAL...

2010-11-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

Today's CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis came back normal! No idea what's causing the pain and pressure to my right side, but so glad to know there's no huge tumor in my liver or colon. Best news this week!

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD....

2010-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

So, Mr Pawprint and I are not living together now, but we're seeing each other and dating and will go for some couples counselling down the road. We're spending various amounts of time at each other's places, and when Mini and I were going to his place the other day we found our way blocked by police cars and crime scene tape. Turns out there was a shooting. In his building. Barely 3 feet from his door. He was taking an afternoon nap, and was woken up by 2 shotgun blasts. It was a targeted shooting, in a family complex, and it sends shivers just thinking of all the ways it could have been so much worse. The other neighbor has 3 little kids and you only have to google the 'Surrey Six' shooting to see how your life can be taken away just by being in the wrong place. By just going about your job or heading out your door at the wrong moment. I can barely think what could have happened if Mini and I had gotten there earlier instead of looking for a party dress for her. Mr P is less rattled now~he spent that first night back here~but I am still nervous visiting, nervous that he's living there and sad that we are in a place where we need to live apart at all. The neighbor has been evicted and I hope the next hit-man gets that piece of info, because the first one didn't get the job done. It's a pretty sure thing that someone will be back.

JUST A QUICK POST~

2010-10-31T01:29:00.000-07:00

to say we've had our share of turmoil here.
I'm single again.
I think I'll be OK..

I'LL TRY AGAIN...

2010-09-25T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ha ha, I started to post about my birthday, and needed to help Mini with something and ended up posting the barely started post!!

This year I did things a little differently, starting a week before, with a new cut and streaks. I tried to do something special for myself almost every day for a week! On the Monday, 20 of my girlfriends and co-workers met for 'Ladies Night' at one of the local restaurants and celebrated with appies and bellinis. |It was total fun to have all my besties together! During the week I picked up some books, a new lipstick and Mini and I took the horse for a walk on the dike. The day of, Mini took me for brunch and gave me the lovely gift of two seaglass and silver seahorse necklaces, one for each of us. I love seahorses and the necklaces are just beautiful and so special for us.

Sadly, the mr put no thought into the day. We went to a football game (season's tickets) and to a pub for dinner afterwards. No card, no gift, and no 'Happy Birthday' until late that night. It was very disappointing. Especially the next day, when I discovered he had bought HIMSELF a new computer. On my birthday. Yup, he's a Jackass...

2010-09-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

Soooo,
Yesterday was my birthday!

GUESS WHO CAME TO VISIT!

2010-08-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

Great wildlife day!

We were just getting ready to run some errands yesterday when my neighbor called to me~there were two deer in the garden! They nibbled on some plants and then wandered up the sidewalk and across the street to the school grounds. So incredibly beautiful and graceful. An added bonus~a bear ran across the street about a block up, right after they'd disappeared!

JEEZ....

2010-07-26T23:52:00.000-07:00

Mini and I went to visit my Mom for a few days. This was the kitchen when I got home tonight. To his credit, right after dinner he unloaded the dishwasher and started rinsing and reloading, but jeez. Jeez!

RANDOM CONVERSATION...

2010-06-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

I've been chuckling over this conversation between the mini-me and one of her co-workers for a few days now....
random co-worker: oh hi, mini, I ran into mr pawprint a few days ago at {insert random big-box electronics store}

mini-me: oh ya?

rcw: ya, it's the first time I met his boy.

m-m: so, how was that? {smiling nervously)

rcw: I didn't realize they looked so much alike...

m-m: {giggling uncontrollably...}

rcw: what's so funny? wait~no! I mean facially! did you think I meant because they're both...um...pudgy?!!!

PUDGY!!!! OMG!! HAHAHAHAHA!! PUDGY!
I love it!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

2010-06-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Sadly missed and remembered with love~My Dad.

This is the last pic I took of him before he died,

13 years ago.

He and the Mini-Me were reading

'The Three Little Pigs'

And he acted the parts for her.

I love this photo! It captures him so perfectly!

Miss you Dad!

mr pawprint and I had a fairly quiet weekend.

We went for Italian last night~yum!

Organic pasta and leftovers!

And today was the first football game in the new/old stadium.

Even tho we lost, it was a pretty good game.

Luckily, the forcasted rain held off, a very good thing

as we are playing in an outdoor stadium this year while B.C. Place

gets a new retractable roof.

Amid the sea of orange and black t-shirts

(who comes up with these team colors anyway??)

one older couple stood out.

They were both dressed impeccably in white suits.

She wore strappy orange heels and had an orange purse, gloves

and scarf on her white hat.

He had a large orange feather in his white hat

and an orange scarf around his neck.

They were so dapper!

I hope they're there next time,

'cuz I would love a photo of them!

DEAR MOTHER NATURE....

2010-06-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Um, I know you're busy and all, what with the whole world to look after, but it's June 4th. Please, please, can you make the rain stop for a few days and let us have some sun?
So grateful for your consideration,
Me

TESTOSTERONE FREE WEEKEND!

2010-05-22T00:29:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's along weekend and we are in the testosterone-free zone!

There will be cupcakes!

Martinis!

Chic-flicks!

And cat-cuddling!

5 MINUTE HAIR!!

2010-05-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

I keep going shorter and shorter

in my quest for 5-minute hair.

I've finally got it!

A quick blow-dry, straighten a few strands,

rub in a bit of paste~done!

Love!

PEOPLE SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS!

2010-05-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

I've gotten alot of mileage from this conversation I had recently with someone:

RANDOM PERSON: "are you Jewish?"

ME: "now why would you ask me that?"

R/P: "because of your earrings"

ME: "um, they're starfish..."

hahaha, now known as 'Starfish of David' earrings, I'm still chuckling!

FLIPPIN' BANK~

2010-04-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

My mortgage came up for renewal at the beginning of the month. I contacted a Mortgage Broker who found me a GREAT deal, thru a different lender. Everything was going along smoothly~until my bank decided they wouldn't accept part of the agreement. Well, that's business, I understand that. But I don't understand them not getting back to my Notary until 20 minutes or so before the close of the business day, the day before a 4 day long weekend. Which added all kinds of stress and many $$$ of interest and extra payments for me.

The other day I received a letter from my bank, stating they'd paid out my mortgage. Apparently I'd overpaid, and they'd refunded the 14 cents to my account! Flippin' bank. Their dithering around cost me $2200, but thanks for the 14 cents. And yes, I'm in the process of changing banks...

THE NICE WEATHER IS BACK....

2010-04-05T17:17:00.001-07:00

and so are the ants. Damn, damn, damn.

CONTACT LENS CRISIS!

2010-03-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

Nine days ago I had a run in with an ornery contact lens! It was flipping around on my fingertip, and when I finally got it into my eye, it migrated right up under my lid~I swear it was in my brain! I couldn't get it out. My co-worker tried, but she couldn't get it out either. By the end of my work-day it was really irritating me~one of the Docs froze my eye and fished out.......half a contact!! He looked some more, but couldn't find the other half, and of course my eye was frozen, so I couldn't feel if it was still there. And that's how the rest of the week went~some irritation, but just as many days when my eye felt OK. Tonight I rubbed my eye and next thing I knew something was falling into my eyelashes, and there it was, the elusive half contact in a blob of eye goo. My Daughter was grossed out, but I was thrilled! My eye feels so much better, but I'll be continuing the contact lens rest for awhile longer...

HOUSEKEEPER FOR HIRE!!

2010-03-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

Great job, DJ!

ELVIAGE PEARL..

2010-02-28T01:02:00.000-08:00

This is exactly how winter should look,

and I can't tell you how much I love this photo by Jennifer Squires.

So peaceful, so quiet, so beautifully winter!

This year, on the 'Wet Coast', our winter has been incredibly mild.

We had the warmest January on record!

So I long to look out the window and see snow on the ground

and the bare trees silhouetted against the sky

instead of the usual grey skies and rain, rain, rain.

And once this is framed, I'll be able to see winter as I like it, everyday!

[wonderful photo by Jennifer Squires~/http:www.jennifersquires.ca/blog/]

[http://etsy.com/shop/jennifersquires]

LENA LOU WHO...

2010-02-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

sleeping on my bed~on my hoodie!

ya, she's settled in well!

TRAMPLED..

2010-02-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Saturday my Daughter was tossed off her horse.

She landed in front of her

and took a front hoof to her face.

She's stitched up,

red and swollen and bruised.

and very, very lucky.

We are so grateful that her injuries weren't worse.

So, this is probably my best Valentines gift ever~she will be OK.

BRINGING LENA HOME...

2010-01-30T02:45:00.000-08:00

It nearly broke my heart tonight to hear her frightened, plaintive cries after we put her in the carrier to bring her home. She's under my Daughter's bed now. I remember Julie hid under the bed for almost 2 weeks~Poppy spent most of that time with her head under the bed too~licking her and yipping! Poor Lena! No dog this time, but so scared none the less! I hope she'll come out soon. I feel so bad for her, and hope all the time spent gaining her trust hasn't gone down the tubes...

HE'S HOW OLD??!!

2010-01-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!! We'll celebrate at the pub tonight, dinner, drinks and the hockey game! Sounds perfect!

BARNYARD CUTENESS UPDATE~LOL!

2010-01-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Altho the kitties do make me laugh, that actually means"Lovin' on Lena!" A couple of us at the barn have been working with the tamest of the feral felines. After hours of dragging twine thru the hallway and hiding behind doors and walls, wiggling my fingers at her, Lena now comes running when she hears my voice and will follow me in the hall. She LOVES chin and ear rubs, and will let me pick her up for a half a minute or so at a time. I'm quite enjoying my nearly-nightly visits with her! She is so sweet~I'm hoping she will be able to come home with us once she's spayed. Our resident cat Julie, is not enthused...

Christmas Crunch!

2009-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe there's only 2 days til Christmas!

Where'd the time go?

There's presents to wrap! tidying to finish! last minute trips to Costco and the grocery store!

Christmas dessert to be made!

I work tomorrow, so I'm off to tackle my 'to do' list!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

I hope you are surrounded by peace and love!

xoxo

adorable Christmas bauble by fabulous and generous illustrator Tricia-Rennea.

[http://triciarennea.blogspot.com/]

Sigh....

2009-12-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

The snow started yesterday, pretty much right on time. I found out the day before that my van needs a 'major engine repair' to the tune of about $3000! Yikes~it's nearly fifteen years old! So, that's not happening, and I don't want to drive it, since it could die at any time. Now to figure out how to afford a new (to me at least) vehicle. Too bad I don't have all those jillions of dollars I'm always winning every day in my spam box! For now tho, I'll be walking to work~it'll be my stress relief! Between my feet, the bus and mr pawprint, I should be OK for awhile...

How she's grown...

2009-11-26T09:14:00.001-08:00

18 years ago I was basking in the glow (read:exhaustion) of new motherhood! My beautiful girl turns 18 today! Sometimes it's hard to believe that my 5lb 14oz bundle of awesomeness has grown into such a gorgeous young woman, since it seems like yesterday that she was born. As if I just blinked and she's all grown up...

She's working today but I've taken the day off. There's cupcakes to be baked! And much remembering for me, of the last eighteen years of growing together.

photo by awesome photographer Carol-Ann Loeppky

barnyard cuteness!!

2009-11-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

Nicky has settled into her new barn~and so have we! I love to be there night after night, surrounded by these beautiful animals~curious and gentle~well, mostly, anyway! She's a bit of a loner, but I've made some new friends!

This is Amber. She is about 8 years old. Isn't she pretty?

The black horse is Pixel! She's a pony. I always thought a pony was a young horse. In fact a pony is a small horse-height wise. Ponies are always adorable!

What would a barn be without a barn cat ot two? Lena is peeking underneath a locker door, while her brothers Leroy (the ginger) and Leo have a snooze. They are curious but feral, and there are 4 younger kittens about 6 weeks old also. They will need to be caught soon and taken to the vet for spaying/neutering.

International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day ...

2009-10-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

I didn't know this day existed until a few days ago. Tonight, October 15th, candles are being lit at 7 PM in remembrance of babies who have died before, during, or after their birth. Truthfully, I lit a candle for my Levi a couple of hours ago, I'll just light more at 7.
[Awesome pencil sketch of Levi by artist Heather Spears]

update...

2009-10-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

We received our new rotation yesterday and I'm happy to be able to stay in my dept! I've had to go from part-time to full-time, but my position was just barely part-time anyway. We've lost 2 co-workers, one chose to move to another dept and one to another site. There may still be changes tho, as 'bumping' will start next week. Our area requires specialty training, so we should be safe, but ya never know! Fingers crossed!

Introducing....

2009-09-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

'NICKY'

My daughter has a horse! She is a beautiful, 6 year old 'pintabian'. Isn't she beautiful? Right now she's enjoying several acres with about 2 dozen other horses. When we go out to get her for a ride, 4 or 5 males follow us and wait for her. They are all so sweet!

9/11

2009-09-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

I remember the night before~there was a HUGE spider in my bedroom. I was unable to catch it (to return it outdoors) and decided to sleep on the couch. My daughter woke me up in the morning~yelling to me that her Dad had called and told her a plane had flown into a building in New York. We turned the TV on to see the horrific image of the second plane flying into the 2nd tower. Never in my life will I forget the sound of that plane or those images. My spider emergency didn't seem like such a big freaking deal anymore.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day of remembrance today...

Finally...

2009-08-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

I picked up Poppy's ashes today. It's taken me this long to feel like I could go to the vet's and get them (she died at the beginning of November) They gave me a certificate for the cremation and a copy of 'Rainbow Bridge' which made me cry..

I have Gypsy's ashes too. Maybe one day we'll take them to the park and scatter them along the trail. Or not..

It's holiday time!

2009-08-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's the hottest summer here ever~at least up to now~just as my holidays have started, so has the rain! WTF is that about?

We spent yesterday at a local Blues and Roots Festival. It was great! There was a bit of rain on the drive, but it cleared up just as we arrived. Awesome music, lots of food, alcohol for those who wanted it. Sharon Jones has incredible energy, and Smokey Robinson has great pipes! Honestly, when he came out in those shiny, skin-tight red leather pants, well, it was just a hoot!

At one point we watched an eagle fly overhead with a fish in it's talons~and just before 8 PM hundreds of crows started flying to their roosting spot! there were dragon flies all day. Wasps too, but they were just annoying. Next weekend we're travelling to another festival about 5 hours away, encompassing the entire weekend! I can't wait!

it's an invasion!

2009-08-03T01:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I got up to discover a major ant invasion in my kitchen. After taking about a jillion of them outside in shotglasses(I'm a catch and release kind of gal) I googled non-toxic deterrents and discovered that they hate cinnamon-who knew! It looked to me like they were coming in where the water pipes are under the kitchen sink, so I covered the area with cinnamon! Either they are using another entrance or there were lots hiding out, because I've taken at least 30 out today. Honestly, I like ants. They're cool. Just not in my house! And seriously, why does this happen when mr pawprint is out of town??? And don't they ever sleep? It's nearly 1:30 in the morning and I'm still trapping them. Jeez, I'd have a martini, but all my shot glasses are in use...

it's summer!

2009-07-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

Man, it's hotter than stink!! I don't want to complain tho~our winters are sooo long here. The biggest challenge (besides coping with the sauna-like atmosphere) is making sure the cat doesn't get out when the doors are open~we've been shutting her in the bedroom, since she usually sleeps there, but she's on to us now and has started sleeping under a desk in the living room! She stays put for awhile once the door is open, then when I'm not looking, she quietly pussyfoots outside and jumps off the deck to eat grass!

It should start cooling off in an hour or so. Then it'll be my fave time of the day~sitting in the cool air with a bunch of candles and some juice or a martini..

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer...

an anniversary....

2009-07-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 4th anniversary of being together~the anniversary of our first date. For the first time, we didn't celebrate it, or even mention the day. I'm sure he knew~he gets email reminders for all special days~but this year even I didn't feel into the day. I'm not sure what, exactly, we would be celebrating. He remains married to someone else. Never would I have thought, 4 years ago when we started out, that this would be the case at this point in time. I have no feelings that we are moving forward in our relationship. I no longer wear my engagement ring. For the first time, this year we are not having vacation time together. He will be going away at the end of this month for a week and possible two weeks. And you know what? I am so looking forward to it! I wonder how we will both feel when he returns. There are lots of good things about my partner. He is wonderful to my daughter. He is so kind to my Mom and other family. He and my brother get along really well. He cooks. Often! He massages my neck and my feet when they're sore and tired. Again, often.

It's time to make our relationship a priority. We have a weekend away coming up in August. It'd be nice to really enjoy it as a couple. Better get crackin'...

bye, Kitty!!

2009-07-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I was sitting on the deck having coffee when a car stopped and a man ran over to the mailbox and tore off the sign I'd put up about the kitty. I went in and got the phone right away! It rang in less than a minute and when he said 'bushy tail and tan belly' I knew this was his cat! They had just been on their way to check the animal shelter and are so happy to have 'Izzy' back! As for Julie, we've been telling her the whole thing was a bad dream. She looks at me as if to say "what kitten?" So we are back to normal again...

A tail of new kitty...

2009-07-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last night I was waiting for Mr Pawprint to get home (working O/T) when I heard someone calling 'kitty,kitty'~couldn't see anyone, but did see the movement of a cat and thought it might be ours~altho had NO idea how she could have gotten out. So outside I went and found the cutest young cat out by the mailboxes. Couldn't leave it for the coyotes to munch on, so picked it up and brought it inside. This is how we obtain most of our pets~thru rescue. Julibelle, our resident cat, has forgotten she was found in the gutter and is not pleased! Hopefully, someone will be out looking for it today~totally a sweet kitten with a hugely bushy tail! Someone must be missing it alot!

Little bird....

2009-07-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

I found my lovebird 'Golda' dead in the bottom of the cage yesterday. We hand- raised her and her sibling 'Shamus' from babies~they have always been called 'the babies' and it was a shock to see a mound of yellow and orange feathers so still on the cage floor when I lifted the cover. Shamus was squawking as usual, but was very quiet after I took Golda out. We wrapped her in gold and royal blue tissue~royal colors and fitting for her, we thought, and we'll bury her in the woods next to our house today. Poor wee mite.

2009-04-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is Poppy~our wonderful old dog! What a character! And so smart!

One summer we painted our deck. No one saw her go out, but the next thing we knew there were paint paw-prints from the kitchen door to the laundry room, stopping right in front of her kibble bag!

Poppy left us a few months ago (Nov 4/08) and the lino has since been changed to tile. It's lovely, but oh how I miss those paw-prints going thru the kitchen!