Thursday, March 27, 2008

Spring Is Here ...



Perhaps I am rushing things in my part of the world, but the snow is seemingly melting and what a mess underneath ... dog poop! Now I do try to pick up all the visiable dog poop but didn't realize that the snow covered some of it!

I am still trying to figure out a way to have the dogs pick up after themselves. This of course is a fruitless venture but nonetheless a dream of all dog owners. I am I right?

I am thinking about purchasing some flowers to put in my window boxes in front of the diningroom and livingroom windows. Since I am not an expert on flowers like my mother, I have to rely on the expertise of those in the gardening field and perhaps google for some information on the subject.

I am still on vacation and my to do list is widdling down bit by bit. I think I can get use to retirement without too much difficulty transitioning from an actual work week to a more relaxed setting. Since I deferred my retirement for another a year, I have more time to make plans for that chapter of my life.

In the meantime, I am making plans for the next series of training sessions and looking forward to a month off during the summer. I will create a"To Do List" and little projects for that time. I need a new fence in the back yard that separates my property from the neighbours and keepmy dogs from wandering off and/or running at large in the neighbourhood.

My dogs just started barking outside. I better let them in since they have been outside most of the morning. Next week, they will be back into their old rountine of spending time in doors while I am at work.

Till next time, Cheers!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sunday Morning



Top of the Morning To You!

This is the first Sunday morning since the beginning of the New Year that I haven't had a to do list a mile long. I must say that it has been quite a wild ride getting use to my new duties as a trainer. The hours of work are no longer 8:00 a.m. to 5;00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Now I work evenings and weekends and days. Not necessarily in that order but you get the idea my schedule has changed considerably. I didn't think that I would have any difficulty adjusting. Wrong! I did have some problems adjusting to the evening work as I like to go to bed early because I am usually up by 5:30 a.m. every morning.

I am off for Spring break until Monday, March 31, 2008 4:30 p.m. when I go back to work to resume teaching an evening session. I must say that the challenge of adjustment has been worth it as I am enjoying the work itself. I spent hours of preparation time and feel confident enough with the material to teach it without feeling like I may be missing something.

In mid-April 2008 I will be starting another round of the same sessions. It will be a busy time right up until the end of June 2008 and then off for the summer. Well, for me it's off for the month of July 2008 and back to work in August 2008 to prepare for the Fall training sessions and teaching new material again.

But for now I am going to pour myself a cup of java and enjoy a liesurely breakfast reading the Sunday paper.

Till next time, Cheers!

Friday, March 21, 2008

The Write Way


Top of the morning to you!

My busy week is behind me and I am free to do as I please, at least for the next few days! This morning while checking my email I clicked open a newsletter from: Writing Tips 101. written by Jennifer Stewart. I enjoy reading it every week. This morning she included a link to the Redcliffe Waterfront Walkways located in Redcliffe Australia. The pictures are breath taking, after all, it's summertime.

So let's go "down under" and take a look for our selves. Enjoy. (Click on the title "The Write Way," it will take you directly to her website).

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Just a wee note ...


My life has been a wee bit hectic these past few weeks and therefore, I haven't posted very often. I am in the middle of training this weekend, and again on Monday evening. This will be followed by two days of training for myself so I can learn new material for the advanced training which I will be teaching in the Fall of 2008. I hardly have a moment to myself since the prep work was an enormous undertaking.

In about three weeks time, I will be teaching the same material I am teaching now but only to a different audience. I must say that I do enjoy training and meeting the participants especially those that have a wealth of experience to share during group discussions. Hence we have some very lively discussions at times.

I did manage to sneak a few days off over the Easter break and hopefully get back to blogging a little more often.

Well, it's late and I must be ready for the group tomorrow.

Till next time, Cheers!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A Brand New Woman's Website ... check it out!


This morning while I was getting ready for work I happened to catch an interview on Good Morning America (GMA) with Dianne Sawyer.

She interviewed a group of women who were responsible for the creation of this wonderful website. Check it out! Click on the link below or on my title "A Brand New ... ". Enjoy!

http://www.wowowow.com/post/welcome-wowowow 'Welcome! We launched on March 8th, the 100th anniversary of International Womens Day.' (clipped with Yahoo! Toolbar)


Saturday, March 8, 2008

Daylight Savings Time


This weekend is daylight savings time and since we (in Southern Saskatchewan), do not change our clocks we wouldn't never notice a change. However, the only exception are the American TV shows which are broadcast an hour earlier. So for those of you that need to turn your clocks back or ahead, don't forget to do that tonight.

This picture is called "Annie in the Sink". When I had cats I would often find them in the bathtub and/or sink, sometimes they would look into the toilet and ... I think you can imagine that scene. Since I have birds, I no longer have cats. But aren't cats interesting. They can be aloof at times and other times they are like Velcro especially around feeding time.

Speaking of feeding time I haven't had breakfast yet and I am feeling hungry. My glass of orange juice is almost empty and I am needing my morning coffee fix. I know I usually say that I will be back and another week goes by nothing from me. I have been rather busy the past couple of months. This coming weekend I am training again four sessions a day. Then I am off to get more training so I can train more people. It never seems to end. There is always something new to learn and past on.

I hear the birds chirping in the background. It's interesting, I clean their cages every week and every week they sit on top of their perches watching me clean. They can hardly wait until I fill up their cups with new food. The lovebirds are very inquisitive and usually fly on my hand to see what I have for them. Some of them even try to escape and they do. Then Angel, my Sheltie barks her little face off letting me know one got out. I don't hear a sound in the kitchen right now, perhaps they are plotting at how to get back at me for running out of their favorite treat: millet. I better go and see why no one is complaining. I will be back when I can.

Till next time cheers.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Good Morning



I think it's high time for the snow to disappear and for Spring to make her grand entrance!

Enough all ready with the cold weather, slippery roads, and snow shoveling. Perhaps I need to have my first cup of java for the day and then return to writing this blog.