Hello Everybody,

It's been awhile since I last posted. There have been many changes in my life as of late.

When I started this blog it was meant as a pre-retirement blog. Well I am anything but close to retirement. One of the main reasons being I took a big hit on my pension when the market took a turn for the worse. I am trying to recover my loses and build up my retirement find again. During the month of April 2009 I was given an opportunity for a promotion which I happily accepted. I was up for a new challenge ... little did I know how much of a challenge it would be for me. I Supervise a staff of nine in a very busy department. I work longer hours and enjoy the creativity of it all.

On June 3, 2009 Haida my GSD was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and on July 11, 2009 she went to the "Rainbow Bridge." I am sure my mom and dad were there to meet her along with some of my other canine friends before her. It was a very difficult time for me and Angel, my Sheltie who was by her side continuously. Haida will be sorely missed.

I must share a little story with you which happened the morning she died. I was in the process of letting the dogs out when I noticed a little baby black bird sitting on the deck. I told the dogs to stay while I attempted to get the bird to fly off the deck. He flew away when I banged on the screen door. I let the dogs out and then took Haida to the vet. I had to help her into the truck and I opened the back window of the extended cab so she could look out. she loved the wind blowing in her face. Of course I am crying as I am driving to the vet's office knowing full well that she would not be returning with me. I have been through this before and believe me it does not get easier, not for a moment. I knew Haida's quality of life was slipping away and replaced by pain. She no longer was able to do the things she loved and was used to doing. I felt it was in her best interest to let her go with dignity.

I stayed with her during the procedure. I just couldn't leave her by herself after all she was such a good dog and deserved having me there with her until the end. I am crying even as I am writing this today. Those of you reading this that have had similar experiences with your pet understand how tough it is to let them go given that they have been a part of your family for such a long time.

When I returned home I let the dogs out again and I noticed on the deck a long stem yellow flower that had pushed it's way through the crack of the deck broads and made its way to the place where Haida used to like to lay down. You see there is nothing underneath the deck. This has never happened before nor since. This long little flower is Haida's sign to me that she is alright now and pain free.

I know that Haida is still around here looking out for the others.

I am ready now to start a new chapter ... and I do have some more news which I will post soon.

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

Life goes on and you make the necessary changes.

Till next Time

Jaime

Update

Hello Everybody,

I finally got my mommy to agree to sit down at the computer to hammer out a few words. But before I hand the keyboard over to her I have a few things of my own to talk about.

It's been a long and cold winter and I could only go out long enough to do my business and then back in the house. Teddy on the other hand usually ends up doing his business in the house. But mommy does not seem to mind as she cleans it up right away. Haida on the other hand likes to be outside no matter what the weather. I know why she likes to be out there she constantly barks at the neighbours dogs. Then mommy calls us all in because Haida has such a big mouth! I bark in the house because I hear things that my mommy doesn't.  I overheard my mommy talking to a friend the other day she stated that she was going to send the whole lot of us to the "fat farm". 

I better run as I hear mommy coming... by for now.

Hello ...

It's almost the end of March 2009 and today is the first day of Spring. The snow is starting to melt in the back yard and I dread having to pick up all the "you-know-what" from the entire winter. I am going to figure out another way to do this next winter. Perhaps I will rope off part of the yard. During the other seasons I pick it up more frequently.

As I mentioned in my previous blog I sold my house. the deal was finalized in February 2009 and the new owners moved in at the end of that month. I did take a hit and need to work longer than I had anticipated. My pension too took a major hit. But I am grateful that I do have a good job and can continue to work. I am not the only one that has taken a hit; there are many people out there that have and are making the best of it. Some people I know don;t even want to know how much they lost on their pensions and hope that they will regain their losses ... somehow. For me, I need to know what's going on so I can plan, make changes, stick to my budget, have a goal in mind so I am able to retire without having to get a "little job" to make ends meet. There is nothing wrong with that but I would rather stay working now than have to later.

I love living in the country. I commute to work on a well travelled  four lane highway. I purchased a new 4-wheel drive truck. It certainly makes a difference on the road during the not so nice winter road conditions. 

My other truck has made its way back to Texas. I am sure it will feel much better in the warmer climate in it's retirement years. This truck is in excellent shape and has low miles. Friends of mine came up during Spring break to take it "home". They were just as happy!

I have some plans for my yard. I want to make it more dog friendly. I will have to figure out some innovative ways to accomplish that feat and not break my budget in the process.

I hope to get back on here a little sooner than later.

Till next time,

Jaime & Company

Good News

I am very happy to report that my house in the city has finally SOLD!!! Now I can get down to the business of working on a "new retirement plan." I started this blog as a pre-retirement musings. However, it seemingly has taken on a life of it's own. I have been in the last chapter of my life since 2007 and it doesn't seem that this particular chapter is going to be completed anytime soon. This is not a bad thing by any means, not by a long shot. I will not be taking early retirement anytime soon. This is my choice. I could retire now if I really wanted to but I would be carrying a wee debt since the housing market's recent decent. I have reworked my plan so I will stay in the work force for at least another 2-3 years ... which will bring me a few steps closer to 65, (I just turned 60, over a month ago). My pension took a hit which I hope to recover most of it by working a wee bit longer. The reason I am all right with this is that I have a choice in this matter. We seemingly feel better about our situations if we have/or believe we have a choice in the matter.

My living expenses are almost cut in half by living out here in the country. I do not live too far from the city which makes the drive relatively easy even during the winter months. Once I retire my trips to the city will be less frequent and only on a need basis.

Till next time, cheers!!!

Jaime & Company

Back at Work Two Days and ...

My Vacation is Over

A Brand New Year ...

A polar bear entered a photographer's camp. Since his dogs were theathered he figured they were toast. However, much to the photographer's surprise this polar bear came every day for a week to play with the dogs.

In other words things are never as they seem.

Cheers

Jaime & Company

Angel's Birthday

Since Angel's birthday is a week after Christmas Day she is still very much in the Christmas spirit. This is her favorite time of year as she can go in and out as many times as she wants as her mommy is home for the holidays. Happy 4th Angel (28 in dog years).



Angel loves to please and can be a wee bit yappy ... well maybe more than a wee bit! She is Haid's back up barker when they are outside.

In the mornings when I get up to let her out she makes sure to wake up Haida to go with her. Teddy, she let's sleep as they have an understanding.

Angel usually follows me all over the place. Right now she is laying beside the computer in her favorit spot. When she hears the sound of the computer being turned off she starts barking as she knows it's time to go out and then off to bed.

Angel is a very friendly dog and would go home with anyone that pays attention to her. She loves kids and would yap whenever she saw the neighbor's kids going off to school. She would whine if they wouldn't come over to pet her.

I wouldn't trade Angel for anything in the whole world she's part of this family and has found her place in our hearts. Happy New Year and a veryHappy Birthday Angel, from all of us!

Mommy, Haida and Teddy

Happy New Year 2009

The New Year literally came in like a blizzard in many parts of our province including my area. ... in times like these I am glad to be indoors.

I let the dogs out this morning and they just stood on the deck looking for their tracks which were erased during the night ... they did the next best thing ... peed on the deck and came back inside ... except Haida. she ventured off the deck a few feet to get a better look and after a couple of minutes she decided to turn around and come back in the house.

I am going to make breakfast and brew my first cup of Tim Horton's java for the new year.

Bessings to you and yours for the New Year,

Jaime & Company

New Years Eve Day

Hi there,

I have one message for you at the end of 2008: "don't look back with regrets!" look back at 2008 to review all the things that you are thankful for including the difficult things you had to face. Yes, you read right. Sometimes difficulties in our lives head us in another direction.

My mom is busy painting right now and I know she will expand on that thought.


Cheers,

Haida

Angel & Teddy

Shared with Flock - The Social Web Browser
http://flock.com

Here we are at the end of another day. Our mom has been painting all day and we have to watch not to lean against a freshly painted wall. Good luck with that ... Anyway we had a pretty good day going outside to play and bark at the neighbors with their snow machines. Haida is in the family room watching and waiting for the snow machines to come back. Tomorrow is another day. I hope my mom finishes painting as all our stuff is not where it should be ...that's all for now folks.

Cheers,
Angel & Teddy

It's me, Haida

Good Morning ...
I am ready for New Years, are you? I don't make resolutions as I am perfect just the way I am. I only reflect on the things that I am thankful for in 2008. I live in the country now and have a great big yard to run around in. I can see everything going on and I bark too. However, my mommy does make me come in if I bark to much. But I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Angel keeps me company in the yard she barsks too. One thing about barking my mommy seems to appear out of no where holding the door open. This is our cue to come running in and we do. One thing though whe don't get treats when we come in. It's about being too fat!

Cheers,

Haida

You Snooze ... You Loose!

I think this cat has the right idea! Cats spend the majority of their lives sleeping, eating, and chasing imaginary "things". What a life!

Well, I have decided not to spend my time off snoozing but rather give my place a new look via paint. I have already painted two rooms and now am working on the rest of the place. I just returned from the paint store and as I was opened the back door of my truck a gallon of paint came flying out and onto the floor. Thank goodness I was able to scoop up most of it back into the pail. I now have a small reminder on the garage floor of this incident.

I just painted an area behind the door to see what this color is going to look like once it dries. So far so good. This is what I will be doing into the new year. I also plan on having my carpet removed and replaced with lino (wood look). My GSD sheds year round and sometimes my dogs have an occasional accident when I am late getting home from work. Low maintenance is what it's all about and lino will do it for me.

I will be back.

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

If you could rewind the year and go back to the beginning what would you do differently? Do you have any regrets? Perhaps you would not change a thing as you are satisfied with how 2008 unfolded for you.

Life continues on whether we are satisfied or not. It's what we do with it that makes the difference for each of us. If I believe 2009 will be the best year ever, then it will, for me anyway. If my thinking about my life is positive I can accept things that come my way as a part of a much bigger plan, thus making it through the more difficult times will not be as formidable.

The beginning of 2008 was exciting for me as my plan was to move on to the "Last Chapter" of my life as a retiree. I did not think that there would be a hitch preventing me from fulfilling that goal. 

I look at it this way, for some unknown reason my plan is extended into 2009. I am alright with it for now. In fact, it’s more than alright. You see since I am paying for two residences I have come to realize firsthand what it means to live on a restricted budget. I have learned to manage my money better and how to resist free spending. This is a good thing. I have more than enough to live comfortably in my retirement years. I have been downsizing since 2005. It’s amazing how much better one feels with less and not more. Since I thought I was retiring in 2008. I upgraded my electronics as I knew once I was on a fixed income it would less likely that I would be able to upgrade. 

I do not wish to have a part time job in my retirement years to make ends meet. I want to have the choice of working part time should I fancy it. I want the end of 2009 to be a year that I can honestly say it was a better plan for me to continue working. When I think of it, I am already living where I want to live in my retirement years. I plan on making my home more energy efficient and designing my large yard to accommodate less grass. Whatever comes my way in 2009 I hope to be better prepared to make lemon aide instead of having a pile of lemons at my feet.

Cheers,

Jaime & Company 

Five Days Before the Year 2009

Happy New year from the whole gang! We're looking forward to the New Year. It's been real cold outside and we haven't been able to stay outside too long. This morning is a wee bit different it feels like a heat wave has hit. Well almost. People usually make all kinds of resolutions at New Year, but not us, no way. Dogs don't make any resolutions that would in fringe on our happiness. We are too self centred to allow our thinking of our selves as less than perfect. We like ourselves just as we are. I know that Angel is a little fat around the middle and Teddy needs a hair cut. You will note that his picture is an old one and needs to be updated; believe me he looks pretty fuzzy. 

Angel has a birthday coming up in five days. Yep she was a New Years baby. She's going to be four years old, that's 28 in dog years. My birthday is on April  1st (I am no fool), and I am going to be nine years old, that's 72 in dog years. This explains the grey fuzz under my chin. Teddy had his birthday on November 11 he turned eight, that's 56 in dog years. So you see why would we concern our selves with resolutions. Life goes on whether we have them or not.

Our mom no longer makes them either. She says we can make resolutions anytime of the year why wait until January 1 to make changes in our lives. We are not included in the royal "we" as we are dogs. Now if we as dogs would make resolutions they would be in correlation with our self centredness. 

I am done with my pre-New Years chatter. Wishing you all the best for 2009.

Happy New Year to You and Yours,

Haida, Angel, and Teddy, and last and by no means least, Jaime (our mom)

Boxing Day Shopping

This year I didn't follow the crowds to the "Boxing Day Specials." In fact most stores had pre-Christmas Sales. There was a fear that due to the econimic times that people were not spending as much monies during this Christmas season. I heard on the radio that there were some brave souls that were waiting in front of the electronic stores for up to eight hours to grab the so called "specials." Last year I did brave the crowds and managed to snag a few deals for myself. There is one other formidable task for Boxing Day shoppers and that is returning items. Some stores have special checkouts just to handle returns. I wonder if this is why the "gift card" has become more popular over the years. Personally I don't favor gift cards as I usually forget that I have them and then they expire. Apparently, there is talk about gift cards not having an expiration date. I got a gift card last year and it took me at least three times for me to remember that I had a card in my wallet. 

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

Boxing Day

Well, we've made it through Christmas and are now focused on the New Year. As I mentioned in my previous entries this was the year I had planned on retiring. Plans change. I was thinking about this the other day. When I first started this blog my plan for retirement was to become a fulltime RVer. Those plans are on hold ... maybe forever. I wanted to retire in Texas but decided against that plan when I learned firsthand the medical coverage would be a problem. I took a leave from my job in Canada to work in Texas for almost three years. I loved it! No snow and icy roads to contend with during the winter months.

This past year I purchased a mobile home in the country. It sits on a large fenced property which is a bonus for my three dogs. I love the fact that in my mobile home everything is on one level, a double garage, and nine pine trees in the back yard which I can view out of my bedroom window and from the French doors in my family room, the side deck is shaded in the summer time by a large tree (don’t know what kind it is). My kitchen has a large bow window which overlooks the road leading to the elementary school and community centre. This makes it easy to attend all the events featured throughout the year.  This town features two parades throughout the year one on July long weekend and in December Winter Carnival.

 The town newsletter is always an interesting read.  The local Motor Hotel, houses the restaurant, pub, and Post Office. It reminds me of the Saskatchewan produced show Corner Gas located in the fictional town of Dog River. Corner Gas filmed its final season this spring and summer. It's a fun series about fictional life in a Saskatchewan rural town.  This show is very popular in Canada and the US.

 Only six days from New Year's Eve.  2009 may seemly prove to be a year to remember especially economically. Saskatchewan appears to not be feeling a financial crunch as are the rest of our country and the USA.  The future of our political climate is somewhat precarious at the moment which is soon to be determined (January 26, 2009), as to whether the Harper government continues to rule. The impact of so many changes is yet to be revealed over the next few months and years to come.

 This being Boxing Day is only the beginning of the end for 2008. Let's wait and see what's around the corner for 2009 and plan accordingly. My goal is still to retire debt free once the sale of my house becomes a reality. It's only a matter of time. In the meantime I am learning what it means to live within my means.

 Looking forward to what's ahead and leaving behind any regrets of 2008.

 Cheers,

Jaime & Company

 

Christmas Dinner

Three Cheers for Christmas!!! 

This picture says it all: "You are never too old to enjoy a turkey dinner." 

Cheers,

Jaime & Company 

It's Turkey Day !!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE & HAPPY NEW YEAR

I awoke early this morning to prepare the turkey for the oven. Teddy was by my side watching. The look on his face was priceless: the tip of his tongue hung out of his mouth his eyes glissing as he watched me place the turkey in the oven. If he could talk he likely would ask, "How long is this going to take?" Haida and Angel are snoring in the living room. The radio is playing non stop Christmas music and my budgies are chirping away in the background. All is well!

I reviewed some of my 2007 entries from December 2007 (I was still living in the city) and noted that I was talking about working another year (2008) and then had visons of retirement. Well that's not exactly how things played out this past year. I am ready to retire in every way except for the fact of one small detail: my house in the city is still on the market! I hadn't planned on living in the country and working in the city as winter driving is not my idea of a good time since this time of year it's more night time than day light. 

However the upside is that for some reason I am still working in 2009! I hope to find out what that reason is but for now it's not for me to know. 

But I digress, this is Christmas Day. I imagine kids getting up early to see what Santa has brought from their long list of things they mailed to the North Pole. I was reading a story yesterday about a little 9 year old girl who wrote to Santa and asked him to help  stop one of her relatives from abusing her and her little sister. The letter was handed over to the authorities and after an investigation the relative was arrested and charged. Apparently he had been abusing the girls for the past 4 years. It's interesting that this little girl's last hope was for Santa to come through for her ... and he did! These two little girls will no doubt always believe in Santa. 

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve ... it was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a moue! The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. they had been worn a year and needed the air!

I finished work early today and made my way to Walmart and Superstore to pick up a few groceries and food for my animals. I arrived at Walmart and thought that everyone must have followed me there as I ended up what seemed like miles from the front door.

I made my way over the pet food section and loaded up and then zoomed over to Electronics to see if there were any more of my favorite DVD's on the shelf. I was please to see Season 7 of JAG. Season 6 of Law & Order SVU, Season One Volume One of Love Boat, Season 4 Vol 2 of Touched by an Angel, (I aready have Vol 1 at home), and a DVD burning fire log ... I have three of them now. I buy one every year as I want to see if there the flames look more realistic. I had planned on purchasing a fireplace for my familyroom. However, that plan went down the toilet literally when my toilet went on the fritz. The fireplace monies will be used for a new low flush toilet. I then can put the fire log DVD on my laptop place it on the new toilet while I take a leisurely bath with my new bubble bath I got for Christmas! Now I certainly couldn't drag a fireplace into the bathroom. You have to make the best of it.

One thing about long lines and Christmas time people chat with you like you are old friends. We ended up talking to one another and wondering why so may checkouts on such a busy day were closed. We narrowed it down to one thing: Money! Someone piped in and said "they" should give us the groceries for Christmas as a friendly gesture of goodwill. since there was no Christmas music playing we figured that the former was not an option. We continued to wait. I finally got out of Walmart and drove across the road to Superstore. The place was so crowded that I found myself putting my things in someone else's cart! When I arrived at the check out I noticed that not all the check out stations were opened and the lines meandering throughout the isles of the store. The people were very friendly and told each other where they thought the line may end up. I got behind a lady that was quite friendly and she told me that she lives out of town but was in town for Christmas at her daughter's placed. Since she seemed friendly enough I asked her if she stuffs her turkey. She said she did but warned that you have to be careful. I then realized that I had forgotten to buy stove top stuffing and didn't dare get out of line as I would never know where to find it. I never cook stuffing in a turkey as I am afraid that I would poison myself and the dogs and ruin Christmas for us.

My dogs love ribs; I decided to cook some in the slow cooker for them to enjoy throughout the holidays as a treat. The dogs are presently laying in front of the TV, (the fire log DVD is playing). I just got up to check on the potatoes that are boiling on the stove. Teddy, my poodle followed me into the kitchen as likely thought I was going over to the slow cooker to check on the ribs.

The picture above is of my back yard ... looking out from the french doors of the family room. I love sitting in this room and watching the snow fall. I am off work for the next 10 days and I know I will enjoy every minute. I will get up early tomorrow morning to put in the turkey without the stuffing into the oven.

Merry Christmas to One and All,

Jaime & Company

Five Days Before Christmas

Hellooooooooooo Out There ... it's me Haida. this picture of me was taken during our first snow fall Thanksgiving weekend. The trees still had leaves on them. Boy were they surprised as was I with all this white stuff. I love the snow ... it's almost Christmas and I can hardly wait for the Turkey Dinner. I saw my "mom" take the turkey out of the freezer and put it into the fridge. I can hardly wait until it makes it into the oven and into my mouth, but I am getting ahead of myself. This is our "first" Christmas in the country. I have never seen so much snow in my yard. It's been snowing all week and it's been cold too. My mom drives into the city every day to go to work. I can hardly wait until she retires and is home all the time. then I along with Angel and Teddy can go outside anytime we want. I think I hear my mom coming, yep it's her and she wants on the computer as my time is up. Talk to you soon.

I see that Haida has been on the computer and writing this blog. I haven't had too much free time to sit down and write on a regular basis. I hope to change that in the next few days. Now where do I begin?

It looks like I won't be retiring any time soon as my house in the city hasn't sold yet and until it does I will have to continue working. I am sure it will sell when the time is right. Sometimes our plans are not the plans that are meant for us when we want them to be. This is my first winter in the country and can be a wee bit of a challenge on some days driving to work.

My '99 FORD RANGER is seemingly ready for winter driving especially as I take off my all season tires and put on winter tires. I definitely noticed a difference in driving. I carry an emergency kit should I ever go flying into the ditch. I upgraded my motor club card (CAA) and carry a cell phone. 

This being the flu season there are many people in my office including me that have been off work due to illness. I was off a couple of days last week and this week. Today I am feeling better and decided to shovel the driveway. The dogs refuse to shovel I therefore have to do it! 

The oven has just notified me that I need to check my pork chops which I am having for dinner tonight. They look and smell great no wonder the dogs are hanging around the oven!

Well I have a few more domestic chores to complete before the days end. 

Be back soon,

Jaime & Company (Haida, Teddy, Angel & the birdies)

I am back ...

It's me, Angel. I am just hanging out today watching the world go by. Usually I am wired for sound, my owner tells me I have ADHD, the dog version. 

Yep that's Angel ... not a usual position she is in but she has taken to the couch as of late and watching TV.

I haven't been blogging to regularly over the past few months. I have been rather busy but things seem to be slowing down as of late. Well almost slowing down. I work my last weekend for training on November 15 & 16th.  

I am getting use to communiting to and from work. However, this will be my first winter out here in the country which should prove to be an interesting commute to work every day. Today, I am off and I am glad I am since the road report this am was for freezing rain and some of the hyways were closed. I go back to work on November 12th I hope the roads won't be icy. It is suppose to get warmer tomorrow. I don't mind snow on the roads but freezing rain makes for poor driving conditions for anyone.

My house in the city is still for sale and I have reduced it a few times. the market has all but slowed down these past months. But I am still glad that I made the move out here to the country. It looks like my house will be on the market over the winter. I know it's not the best time to sell. All it takes is one person to come forward and make me an offer I can't refuse!

Since my house in the city hasn't sold yet. I am unable to proceed with some cosmetic renoivations on my new place. But I do have fun making plans for when I am able to go ahead and put those plans into action. 

It looks like I am not going to retire for another year. I had hoped to be done in January 2009, but this plan will be pushed into 2010! I don't mind I will continue on until such time I am able to stop working and stay at home with the doggies and birds. By the way, I have sold all my lovebirds and have only seven budgies left!

Well I better close off for now as I do have some housework to do since just coming off of a 12 day stretch and needless to say my laundry and house work awaits my presence.

Before I sign off I should say the when I first started this blog I had intended to retire, purchase a RV and travel the country side. However, for now, and maybe for always, my plans have changed. I purchased a mobile home and property in the country. I was thinking about this change the other day when watching my dogs running in the yard. they have a bigger yard than they had in the city and are loving it. There is an addition which has french doors leading to the deck and into the back yard. During the day the dogs usually spend time in this room looking out of the french doors into the yard and barking at the cats which live just across from us. This keeps them busy when they aren't sleeping. They have settled in very nicely into a new routine. 

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

First Snow Fall

Hey who ordered all this white stuff?

When I awoke on Thanksgiving morning (October 13th)I saw this beautiful blanket of snow that had fallen during the night. My dogs immediately made their way through the french doors leading to the deck and into the back yard. They had great fun that morning making tracks all over the yard. My Shepherd, Haida loves to roll around in the snow.

Cat's Rule

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Sunday Morning News

I love this picture, so much so, that I placed it on my desktop! How majestic, over powering and yet very beautiful.

Day after tomorrow I am back at work at least for the time being. Since I am in the latter stages before my early retirement work does not seem so daunting.

I started this blog last year to talk about my retirement plans regarding going on the road full time as an RVer.

However, my plans have changed over the past few months. I purchased a house in the country and will commute to work every day. I love this place it suites me fine. My dogs have plenty of room to roam around in my fenced property which incidentally is about four times or more the size of my place in the city. Yesterday, I went into the city to cut the grass at my house which is still up for sale. It took me under an hour to cut the grass both front and back. Whereas here, it takes me a couple of days to get it all cut. I have decided to cut the grass in stages: front, side and back yard. I have nine pine trees in the back yard and a huge tree on the side of the house where deck one is located. A french doors open up to the second deck over looking the entire back yard. My birds share this room with me as it's also a reading and TV room. I will post some new pictures in a few days.

Since deciding against full timing I can easily travel from here for a few months of the year should I choose to. Traveling is an option that I will not close the door on entirely. I have travelled extensively and lived in a variety of places including Europe, United States and of course Canada.

It's a good idea to be flexible and ready for whatever may come your way. It is an understatement to say that when I retire I will do this or that ... instead we can consider the changes in our plans as adventures and see where they take us.

Well, I still have a few more pictures to hang and a few more things to put away, but all in all I am enjoying every minute!

Take care,

Jaime & Company

Update

I did it! I moved out of the city into the country. What can I say? I love it! It's quiet and slower paced. I moved in the beginning of July and am in the midst of settling in. My house in the city is up for sale and should be sold within short order. My dogs love their new yard and home. They have plenty of room to run around and bark if they wish without getting the neighbours upset.

I am off work until August 5, 2008 and then back to work for a few months before I hit the retirement trail for good. I better get back to unpacking the rest of my stuff. I never new I had so many things.

Till next time, Cheers

Jaime & Company

Sunny Days

There are sunny days ahead, at least that's my prediction. It is in fact very sunny outside right now and it was sunny yesterday. Tomorrow, well that's another story. It could be sunny ... if you look at it that way. You see, we can still picture the world outside sunny because of how we feel inside.

For example, when a person states they are feeling blue or have the blahs ... it could be either sunny or raining outside. Their feelings are not necessarily dependent upon the weather, but rather their feelings belong to them and how they interpret the world around them. If I think poorly about myself, I will act poorly in my environment. If I believe that everyone is out to get me ... they propbably are since I am interpreting everything by my thinking and feelings. When I wake up tomorrow and think to myself it's going to be one of thoses days then sure enough it is going to be just "one of those days" when nothing goes right.

Two people can be looking at the same thing and have totally different interpretations of what they are looking at ... our perceptions are influenced by our frame of reference. If my focus is on the hole and not the donut then I can conclude that life is just a big fat zero. If I focus on the possibilities of that donut, like a delicious treat that I can eat and enjoy. I will not necessarily notice the hole, but rather that eating it has met a need of satisfying my sweet tooth.

Till next time, Cheers!

Middle of the Night Adventures

It was one of those sleepless nights. Not a good thing especially since I am training this weekend! I found a video on dolphins ... on the National Geographic website. It's worth checking out. (Click on the title).

These creatures are beautiful and so graceful as they jump through the air! So when you can't sleep .. count dolphin's instead of sheep.

Till next time, Cheers!

Stonehenge Was Cemetery First and Foremost, Study Says

"Stonehenge stood as giant tombstones to the dead for centuries, new radiocarbon dating suggests. The site appears to have been intended as a cemetery from the very start, around 5,000 years ago—centuries before the giant sandstone blocks were erected—the new study says..." Read the entire article: (Click on the title, for a direct link to National Geographic website, which references this study).

Till next time, Cheers!

How Far Does Five Bucks Go .... in the USA?

Take a real close look at this bill. What do you see?

Remember the 'good old days', when 5 bucks would almost buy you a cart full of groceries. Well maybe not a full cart .... our money, Canadian dollars too, are shrinking more and more by the day. The cost of living rises but the dollar seems to be continuously shrinking. This gives a new meaning to making ends meet. As you know my goal is retirement. My goal for retirement is to be mortgage free. I remember back in 1999 when I lived in Texas, I could fill up my Ford Ranger for $12.00 (USA). Now, back in Canada I pay pretty close to $100.00 to fill a tank. I am fortunate that my truck is a standard and real good on gas.

Well I need to go for now ... I have to fill my truck up with gas!

Tell next time, Cheers!

The Day After ...

I am happy to report that my plant made it through the night! The dirt is still moist so I think I am okay in not watering it yet.

It's Monday morning and I am sitting here writing on my blog before I have had my first cup of java. I am going to have to remedy that situation by going into the kitchen to make some coffee. I need to start the day right. am drinking Folgers these days. I usually drinking Colombian or Breakfast Coffee. But since Folgers was on sale. It's Folgers for the next while. I enjoy Tom Horton's coffee too! I drink mine black, have for years, but I don't drink as many cups as I use to. But I digress, I will be right back. Don't go away. I am back and the coffee is brewing. Can you smell the fresh aroma wafting down the hall? I guess not. Seriously, I do enjoy a great cup of coffee.

I am currently reading Mary Higgins Clark's book, "I Heard That Song Before", (2007), it's about a sleepwalker who allegedly committed three murders while sleepwalking. It has a lot of twists and turns, a web of lies and deceit. Ms. Clark's eloquence has you hanging on every word until the very end when the culprit is finally revealed. Click on the title of this entry which will take you directly to Simon and Schuster, Ms. Clark's publisher's website. I was reading the book until the wee hours as I could not put it down. Finally, my eyes would no longer allow me to read another word. Hence, today is another day to spend reading the remainder of this thriller. Ms. Clark truly is the Queen of suspense!

Till next time, Enjoy!

Mother's Day ... Part II

The above are pictures of the hanging plant that I bought in memory of my Mom for Mother's Day... I will post pictures again mid-summer so you can see the growth.

A kind lady at the store answered numerous questions I had about the variety of flowers in the Wal-Mart Garden Centre. Behind the flowers are some of my budgies and lovebirds which I have taken out of the main cage.

Well I must close for now as my dogs are waiting for their supper.

p.s. I am unsure as to how to line up these pictures with the text. I have tried it several ways and it always seems to come out differently.

Mother's Day Part I

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers everywhere!

My mom loved flowers. She could make anything bloom. Her flower boxes were full of flowers each summer. Her lawn was always beautifully manicured and framed with, you guess it, flowers. My mom had a jar which she named: "flower fund." She saved her pennies, collected the change that fell between the cushions from over flowing pockets and of course I would contribute whatever change I usually had in my pockets whenever I came over to visit. When Spring rolled around she had quite a haul, hence the beautiful yard of flowers.

When I was growing up I remember my mother having flowers inside the house. They were all over and I must admit that I did not inherit the skill of making everything grow. My attempts at having flowers is very feeble indeed. I can plant them in the dirt alright, but usually forget to water them. I will make another attempt this year. Maybe.

On February 6, 2006, my mother passed away suddenly. She was only seventy-five, and would have been seventy-six year on October 20, 2006. I lost my best friend. A few days after she died. I had a dream. I saw a white room and at one end of it was a gurney. My mom was laying on it. I walked over and looked down on her. Suddenly she was standing beside me with her hand on my shoulder. She said, " I am alright now." I responded by saying, "How did you do that?" She was alive and standing beside me. I have had a number of dreams about her and we are usually talking about things like we use to do.

In another dream, my mom came and swooped me up and we were traveling into outer space. I could see the world getting smaller. It was a great feeling. This dream came a few months after her death at a particularly difficult time in my life. In the dream, I told her about everything that was happening and she was listening as she did so many times throughout my life. She was a great listener. When the dream was just about over my mom told me that I had to go back. I told her that I didn't want to go back I wanted to stay with her. She told me I had to go back for now.

I awoke from this dream and knew that I had just visited with my mom. I do believe that people that have passed on can and often do visit us in dreams. I recall an incident that occurred in July 2007 when I was having a garage sale. Only I was not asleep at the time, I was coming out of the house and I "heard" my mother's voice calling me by my middle name, in German. I turned and there was absolutely no one insight at that precise moment.

I told my friend who was visiting from Texas and helping me with the garage sale, about what had just happened. I told her that I would never forget it. I have to tell you about something else concerning my mother. I have had the urge to buy a hanging basket of flowers which my brother and I would buy for my mother for Mother's Day. I have never felt the urge to do this before now, as I mentioned, flowers aren't my thing since I have a difficult time looking after them.

But as soon as the stores open today. I will go to Wal-mart and pick out a nice hanging basket in memory of my mom and keep it on the dining room table until the weather is warmer. Then I will hang it outside in the very place where she hung so many of the hanging baskets we gave her over the years.

I decide to check out a website which features a number of recipes that seem to be easy enough to make for your mom. The site is called Mother's Day Muffins. Enjoy!

Till next time, Cheers!

Middle of the Night Ramblings

I am wide awake since the dogs got me up. They heard the birds fluttering around in their cage. When I checked on them one of the little budgies was at the bottom of the cage trying to fly back up on to his perch. I turned on the light and told him that he could do it. He inched along the side of the cage and climbed up until he could fly back up to reach his perch. His little buddies cheered him on too. Teamwork!

I know that I have a picture of a cat in this entry ... what do you expect for the middle of the night? I have a cat free zone since I have birds. I do know that cats can get use to birds and not bother them, but why risk it? Haida, my Shepherd, likes to sit outside watching the birds fly all around her. She just sits and watches them. I sometimes wonder what she may be thinking as they swoop down in front of her. Lunch? I know, I know, give me a break it is the middle of the night!

Well, I am going back to bed and hope to fall back asleep as morning is just around the corner. Thank goodness I don't have to go to work until the afternoon!

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

TGIF

Need I say more? This week seemed to drag by so much so it felt like it was going backwards. I am working this weekend so it will seem like an even longer week for me. Not that I am complaining, not in the least. I am finding working irregular hours is taking it's toll. I can't believe that I deferred my retirement for another year.

I am in the process of house hunting again. I want to buy a house that is smaller and less maintenance. I am not sure there is such a thing, but nonetheless, I am going to try to find it!

I will write more later, as I have to feed the dogs and make supper.

Till next time, Cheers!