Freedom 60's ....

Sleeping in suits us fine ...

Not me ... don't want to miss a thing ... hey Bear get up!

No more meetings, agenda's reports etc. 

I dig this new life of mine!

Settling In ...

Excuse me ... I am trying to nap here ....

Angel does not appear to have any problem napping anytime. On the other hand I am still up at the crack of dawn ... well sleeping in a little bit now I awake at 5:30 a.m. instead of 4:30 a.m. LOL I think it will take time for me to adjust to not having to go to work. Actually it only took a minute! LOL I love not having to go to work what a great feeling ... I know Bear is missing daycare already as he goes nuts when he sees dogs out by our fence and he wants to play with them. There have been a couple of dogs running free here ... not really allowed. Not sure who they belong too ... they may be new to the area.

Well I better put in a load of clothes .... domestic chores are always with us.

Cheers,
Jaime & Company

Did Someone See Spring???

Okay, what did you do with Spring?

I buried it.

MISTY HAS BEEN ADOPTED

                                          GOOD LUCK SWEET GIRL

Listen, you have to "visualize" Spring... see, works for me!

We have lots of snow around here ... don't be fooled by Grover's picture it was taken last summer. Anyway, today is the first day of my six week vacation. It feels great not having to get up early to drive on our highways which by the way, are still hazardous winter driving conditions.

This morning Bear came to my bed to wake me up at 6:00 a.m. at least he let me sleep in as I usually got up between 4 and 4:30 a.m. every morning. I am going to have to get myself into a different routine around here so I am not up at the crack of dawn, no wonder I am tired during the day.

Well tomorrow is another day .... and we are all going to live our days to the fullest.

Cheers,
Jaime & Company

Absolutely Done Working for a Living!

Mommy's finally finished working ...
It's not only an ending but a
new beginning for all of us!

Please Read ... NIXON STOLEN FROM MOOSE JAW HUMANE SOCIETY

NIXON STOLEN
Kristyn McEwen, Executive Director from the Moose Jaw 
Humane Society sent out this ALERT regarding Nixon

"Our 6 year old Rotti/ Shepherd was taking out for a walk today (Saturday, March 26th, 2011) and never returned. Please keep your eyes open for this big fellow. The person that took him signed out using a fake name, phone number and address.

Nixon is a calm soul who is loves people. He would have no problem approach and settling in with anyone. We are very concerned about his well being and want nothing more than to see him returned to us. Please keep your eyes open for our boy. You can call 692-1517 or 631-9595 with any information regarding Nixon

*****

Nixon's MJHS Profile

This handsome man is not a stranger to us. We have know Nixon here at the shelter for the past few years. Nixon has been the causality of unstable homes in the past and has been bounce around from home to home with no fault of his own.

Nixon is amazingly social and exceptionally loving, followed by a phenomenal disposition we know that Nixon would be a super addition to any family; devoted and committed to providing you with lots of love.

This seasoned soul extrudes a “been there done that" attitude and is very calm and gentle. Unreactive to most anything you cant help but see Nixon’s kind heart in his eyes.

Nixon has good leash manners and is well behaved in the house. This boy has lived with Kids, cats and small dogs before. He really is just in search of a couch, a daily walk, and belly rub!

Nixon is a beautiful dog that will make any heart smile. Let's not let Nixon go another day without a couch and home to call his own.

For further information click on the title of this post as it links directly to the Moose Jaw Humane Society web page.

Check back often for Nixon updates or go directly to the MJHS website. 

Thank you,

Jaime

Saturday Morning Musings

Looks like my back yard

A little to the left Darling

First thing this morning as I was opening the blinds I looked out the window and noticed my electric dog dish and thought I shouldn’t forget to fill it up today. (I use it the winter time for water for the wild birds) I decided to do it right away. The dogs followed me out as they thought we were going to daycare. Fooled them! Bear came with me as I filled up the water dish and some of the feeders with bird seeds. Angel stayed in the garage as she doesn’t like to go through the deep snow in the back yard besides she still believed we were going to daycare.

It sure was cold out there and I was happy to come back in and pour myself a hot cup of Java. Bear and Angel went back to bed. They are still asleep ... after all it’s only 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

Oh I forgot to mention I cleaned out both my freezers. This was unintentional as I was looking for something ...butter for my toast. I noticed I have a lot of frozen vegetables I am sure enough for the rest of the winter! The order of the day is to do the least amount of work possible after all when Monday comes and goes ... that's it. I will have all the time in the world for my projects. Why should I try to finish everything on a weekend like I am accustomed to doing? I will have to develop new habits ...

By the way, I called up the Canada Pension Plan people (CPP) to ask a couple of questions about my application since I applied online: (1) did I need to have my signature verified/witnessed and (2) to ask about taxation of my CPP. 

I don't recall how many menus I had to go through requesting I press this button if I wanted this menu and that button for another menu etc ... I think you get my point. I finally got a real person, I did ask him if he was “real” to which he replied, "Yes, the last time I check I was real." He was very pleasant but did ask how I got this number as I had the wrong number for the information I was asking about ... I told him I got it off their website. He gave me another number and I went through the same thing with more menus. I got another real person and he answered my questions. 

Since I am retiring early I do lose a certain percentage of my pension. However, some of my colleagues who retired early took their CPP as it all seems to work out/adjust itself in the end. I asked the guy would it make a difference if I took my pension in January 2012 or now. It was about a $15.00 difference. If he would have said it's a $300.00 dollar difference I would wait. But $15.00 is hardly worth waiting for don't you think? I am rambling ... I still have to figure out what tax bracket I will fall into for income tax. I have tried for years to use my dogs as a tax deduction but to no avail. I don't understand why not as they are my fur kids and are dependents for life. LOL

Cheers,
Jaime & Company

Final Day of Work ... Monday, March 28, 2011

I just have a little bit of paper
work  to finish off guys... 

Are we staying at daycare
all day on Monday?

I knew it was too good to be true ...

Pictures are worth a 1000 words!

  

Cheers,

Jaime, Bear and Angel

Two Days to Go ... or Maybe One

One, Two, ...

Myself and a few other team members are finishing up a last minute project which was given to us this morning. We managed to get the bulk of the project done today but there is still more to go. Some of our team members live in another city; they were hoping to leave for home this afternoon. The rest of us helped to make this happen and agreed to distribute what was left amongst the three of us left behind. I am hoping to get finished what I need to do by tomorrow (Friday) and then help where I can. If we don't finish then I will have to come in on Monday, March 28th, 2011. It's interesting how a little snow, bad weather, icy roads can change things. I am almost at the finish line anyway. So it really doesn't matter. What's one more day in the scheme of things? 

Cheers,

Jaime

Current Weather - The Weather Network

Current Weather - The Weather Network

Okay this is no longer funny!

I called again this morning ... there had been a "Travel Not Recommended" earlier but now it's slippery icy sections with snow drifts. I suppose if I crawl to work this morning I should be alright at least I will arrive eventually. I have found at times the weather report stated things were good when they were not or they were poor conditions and things were fine. so who do you believe? I do feel better about going in and I can turn around and go back. It's not like I haven't driven in bad weather before. I remember one day getting on the road the visiblity was so poor the only thing that kept me from going into the ditch were the rumble strips along the edge of the road. When I was on them I could tell by the sound and needed to steer to the left immediately. I will go in this morning and hopefully make it to and from work today!

6:35 pm Update
I did go to work this morning but not at my usual time ... I got stuck in the driveway. When i opened the garage door I noticed the driveway was blown in with snow. I figured since my truck is a 4x4 I would just blast through to the road like I do every morning. NOT!!!

I verged too close to the pile of snow on my left and as I tried to get free I sunk down and couldn't move. I had to take the dogs out of the truck and put them in the house while I tried to shovel my way out without having a heart attack. I called work and told them I would be late. I started shoveling as best as I could. I was grateful for one thing though that I wasn't in a ditch somewhere with the dogs at least they were safe in the house. A neighbor happened by I waved him over. He couldn't  believe I got stuck with a 4x4. Anyway he offered to pull me out with his 4x4. It took minutes and I was free. I resumed shoveling the driveway but decided I would park my truck by the gate when I returned from work. Hence I repeat the above scenario. LOL

On my way to work was another story. The roads from McLean to Balgonie were like a virtual skating rink ... I called the daycare before I left home to ask about the roads. Barb stated they were fine. When I got to the city it was like I drove into another time zone as the roads were clear and the weather sunny.

The group I work with took me out for my retirement lunch. It was very nice of them. I enjoyed it very much. Then at coffee time the whole floor joined in for dessert. All in all the day turned out very well!

Needless to say, I have to make up for missing work on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by working on Monday, March 28, 2011 then I can go on vacation! Tomorrow is another day ... now what day is it. I have actually lost count ... I have been thrown off the counting wheel!

Cheers,
Jaime

I haven't lost count

Me neither

Only 3 more days if it doesn't snow!

Where's Alin?

Click on the title of this post ... it's a hoot! Enjoy!

Day 4 Today ... A Glitch

What Glitch?

Last night on my way home from work the roads proved to be a challenge as a storm was on it's way from Montana USA. I don't live far from the US border. This morning travel was not recommended so I stayed at home. I am too close to retirement to risk ending up in an accident or in the ditch with my dogs. All this really means is I have to work next Monday, March 28th, 2011 to make up for this day or work extra hours for the next three days so I won't have to work next week. Oh well, such is life! There are many twists and turns and unforeseen things happening to us all the time. What really matters is our response to the same! What difference does one day make anyway; I am retiring after all. LOL It suppose to stop snowing by tonight. Hopefully tomorrow (Wednesday) I can get into the city and back to work.

Cheers,
Jaime

Stand By Me

STAND BY ME BABY

Click on the title of this post to link to one of the best pieces of sound engineering. This is a video of street singers from around the world being recorded, overlaid and mixed with one another while singing the song "Stand By Me". It is a marvel to listen to and watch.  They all deserve to be heard. The finished product is tremendous! So turn up your speaker volume and enjoy!

Day 5 Today; Day 4 Tomorrow

Well I am almost at the career finish line ... words cannot express how I feel ...  wonderfully, happy, relieved, thankful, joyful, grateful, terrific, awesome, and truly blessed!

I will no longer have to get up early to go to work
I will no longer have to drive through storms to get to work
I will no longer have to stay in the city because of a snow storm
I will no longer have to take my dogs to daycare because I work
I will no longer have to meet other people's expectations
I will no longer have to answer to anyone but me
I will no longer have to answer endless questions about nothing

I am finally free to be me!!!! LOL
I will maintain and attitude of gratitude!
I welcome this phase of my life with open arms as I have been preparing for it for a long time.
I am just going to enjoy every day to the fullest. I received the following quote from work:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

AND MAKE IT SO BEAUTIFUL

THAT IT WILL BE WORTH

REMEMBERING ...

                                                            Author Unknown

Cheers,
Jaime

HAVE YOU SMILED TODAY?????

It is done by moving the corners of the mouth upward.
LET ME SHOW YOU HOW. .

GO AHEAD SMILE, AND MAKE SOMEONE ELSE SMILE TOO!!! 

WHY GOD MADE PETS

They help out around the house...

  They protect our children..

They look out for the smaller ones

 They show us how to relax...

 They help you when you're down

 They are great at decorating for the Holidays..

 They have 'great' expectations.

 They are happy to 'test' the water.

AND - They know when we need a good LAUGH!

Sunday Morning Smiles

The photographer did a great job of matching up the kids and dogs. This is absolutely adorable!!

A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift

A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift

A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy and grace.

And makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

There is a miracle called friendship, that dwells in the heart. You do not know how it happens or when it gets its start.

But you know the special lift it always brings... You realize that friendship is the world's most precious gift!

This message is for all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how close you are...

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.

Pork Chops or Cubs

Someone sent me an email today I though I would share on my blog:

A California Zoo reported, a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. However, due to pregnancy complications they cubs were born early but did not survive. Consequently, the mother Tiger's health declined suddenly. Although physically she was fine, the veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve. After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there were no tiger  cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning  mother... The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species. The only orphans' that could be found quickly, were a litter of weanling pigs. 

The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother  tiger... Would they become cubs or pork  chops?

Take a look...you won't believe your  eyes:

Day 6 Today; Day 5 on Monday, March 21, 2011

Okay, so I don't count the weekends "actual work days only".

I must admit it's hard to believe only five more days after this weekend. You know it's like waiting for your birthday, Christmas, vacation or any other special event and suddenly it's here. There is nothing more to count; your done; you've reached your goal. Then what? I will tell you what, then nothing! LOL No more getting up at the crack of dawn, no more having to drive in winter conditions, no more handing in an over due report, no more  unnecessary hassles etc. Because now I am the boss of me and no one else. Well except if you have a house full of fur kids then you still have to be the boss. But at least they don't talk back,  ask for the truck and a tank full of gas to drive around with their friends, and/or want more money to give their friends. Yep, I can certainly get use to the Life of Riley. But for today, I have to run, you guessed it and get ready for work, drop the fur kids off at daycare and put in the sixth day at work!  LOL

Cheers,

Jaime

Misty

p.s. Kristyn got called out of her office this afternoon and I never miss an opportunity so I dictated while Grover typed this on his on his new mommy's blog. He is one smart cookie. I guess him being here a long time has paid off as he knows all the tricks around here. I have to get my face out there any chance I get. Grover and me were talking the other night and he promised to put in a good word for me and just maybe I can sneak along with him so we can be together in his forever home. I think I hear Kristyn coming back we better get away from her computer and pretend we're taking our afternoon nap Grover!

Cheers,

Misty