Ann’s Weblog

From what I understand from my chat friends, “Women’s Day” is recognized around the world. In my favourite chat room, gals from Australia, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., U.A.E., Canada and India were all giving each other this greeting!

Has been a busy couple of days. I don’t know how people who have grooming shops in cities can keep up with business and life. At any rate, I like the pace here, quiet some days and moderately busy most days. Usually, our lives are not TOO hectic… well, not at this time of year, at least.

I must say… Rob’s dogs have both found good homes. Although it might be thought that the two dogs would be happiest in a new home together, it’s a lot to expect, to find someone to take TWO medium large dogs. At any rate, Levi, the rottweiler cross, went to a large acreage back in his home town, therefore Rob’s daughter can visit from time to time. The golden retriever went to a home in Valemount, where he will live with people who were some of my first customers in my boarding business… in 1984! They too are great folks.

It’s quieter today around here… EIGHT dogs have gone home since Friday night. Next weekend will be a blast, because it is school spring break here; lots of families are planning to spend some time in warmer places! Still boarding at the moment are Meena, Nelson, Teddy and Chico.

Yesterday I groomed three small dogs. I didn’t take a picture of “Scruffy”, who is here often for short stays, and I was asked to groom him while he was here. That was my pleasure.

Here are Oreo and Zoe. Oreo is always cheerful, and Zoe is sweet and gentle also, but nervous around the camera:

I just got back from regularly scheduled Sunday brunch with our friends. My birthday was well celebrated there; I so enjoyed all the friends who were there. There was another small crowd at a nearby table who were marking another gal’s birthday. Eventually, a trayful of shots of Bailey’s appeared at THEIR table and the drinks were passed to all the adults. I considered saying, “Hey, it’s MY birthday, too!”, but then I thought that might look childish, and I’d feel compelled to prove this by showing my driver’s license. As it turned out, yet another tray of shots appeared and were passed to other patrons, and when the waitress came to me, I quietly pointed out that it IS my birthday as well. So she gave me TWO shots of Bailey’s! That very nicely wrapped up our breakfast visit, though even after that, a large piece of cheesecake with a candle in it was delivered to EACH of we “birthday girls”. What a lot of attention! I had to take my dessert home, as I was full, full, full.

Gary is on his way home from Ft. St. James, where he was trimming dozens of horses. We’ll dine out at the pub this evening.

I’m about to tidy up in the house a little… I get kind of careless about housework when my good man isn’t home. And I’m afraid that when he IS home, he does a great deal of it before I get to it! …. it’s a blessing that I do not take for granted.

Today I get to board the Uromastyx “Spike” again!

I know, I know… it looks like EXACTLY the same picture as posted elsewhere in my Blog, but it’s not! She or He is back for a few days, over spring break. Later, I’ll get Makalu and Shiloh to stay as well, even though Shiloh is needing a new home soon… see earlier post.

So… hope you are all well also. Take care, talk to you later. ~ Ann

This is how I’m going to cope with writing my blog until we get the new keyboard. I’ve composed this text on my laptop, sent it to the other computer, and can now post something that makes sense (at least as much as usual!).

A week ago, I cleaned the Mac’s keyboard too aggressively, and now some keys do not work. I’ve gone through the whole processes of blaming self, and the expense of ordering a replacement. It is not very amusing to try to do anything without the space bar, the “a” key, the “v” key, and “shift”… it’s hard to spell “uromastyx” and “Revelstoke” and many other words I wanted to use.

Lucky for me, I can still copy and paste, so I will attempt to accomplish this small task. I particularly wanted to post pictures of “Spike”, the Uromastyx (lizard).

Spike has seemed hale and hearty while with us … she basks on her rock, eats with enthusiasm, and shows more animation than she has in past visits.

This is her daily meal of lettuce, shredded carrot and, today, her vitamin supplement. It’s fascinating to watch her dine, as she chooses which bites she wants. Who’d have guessed I could get so much out of babysitting a lizard?

I haven’t got around to taking pictures of the bunny, and Makalu and Shiloh, who belong to the same family as Spike. Perhaps I will get to that tomorrow.

We have an amazingly full house today… beside the aforementioned, we have Chico, Teddy, Raina, Sasha, Bailey, Charlie and Axel.

I had a relatively quiet week. Gary was skiing with friends Rob, Ruth, and Dennis in Revelstoke and Golden. They had a good time, though there is not enough snow for GREAT skiing.

Pictured are Dennis, Ruth and Rob at the top of “Kill the Banker” at Mount Revelstoke, a run that Gary said should be named, “Kill the Skier”. The other picture is of some ice climbers… the tiny dots at the bottom of that phenomenal rock face.

It’s a beautiful clear day today, somewhat colder than it has been in the last week. While Gary was away, I couldn’t start the tractor. The day after we got a new lot of snow (and winds that made it drift to fill up our driveway), I got out the walk-behind snowblower, and that solved the problem of making the road passable again.

One last word… if I have spelled something wrong, I may not be able to fix it too easily, without sending myself another whole email. So be patient please!

~ Love, Ann