tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22507888580915988952024-03-13T09:26:46.499-07:00Aud the Bird LadyBirdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-32471154724241688462012-07-06T00:08:00.000-07:002012-07-06T00:18:17.213-07:00"Eat To Live"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promised when I posted about the new diet plan I was on that I would keep you updated with my progress. Well, I'm happy to report that I've lost twelve pounds! It's been no effort at all (except a little more time in the kitchen, but it's fun!), and I will venture to say that I feel somewhat more energetic. I'm learning new things about foods and it's fun making smoothies every day and testing them on the kids.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OTvy3gYupw/T_aMBb_hInI/AAAAAAAAASk/Zub81ClMkTM/s200/butter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture TWELVE of these! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's how much weight I've lost so far!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to think of weight loss by visualizing pounds of butter. I can't believe that I've lost twelve of those!!! As I said when I initially posted, I'm not trying really hard, nor am I being REALLY strict about keeping on the diet. To me, it's a lifestyle change, not a diet. Of course, when DH brings home TWO dozen Krispy Kreme donuts one day last week, what is a person to do? ;-) I DID partake, and I DIDN'T have just ONE, either - LOL! I'm noticing the weight loss so far around my "spare tire" area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm absolutely LOVING my new Vitamix blender! They are selling them at Costco (Langley) for 11 days right now (July 4-15), and my sister and I went to see the demo today. It was awesome! The fellow made soup in it and it was SO delicious, I couldn't believe it! I had seen the demos on YouTube, but it's different when you are actually there. The amazing things you can do to eat healthier - absolutely incredible. My sister bought one, too - way to go, sis!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my previous post about the diet, I mentioned the book I am following. It's called </span><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/weightloss/about.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Eat To Live</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I am so glad that I found it! What could be better than to have good health? I can tell you first-hand, that if you don't have your health, you have NOTHING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if you have a bit of spare time, check out your local library or the web for Eat To Live (now a NY Times best-seller!!). You'll be glad you did! And no, I'm in no way affiliated with Dr. Fuhrman or Eat To Live - I'm just a <em>believer!</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xN4mg8irmdE/T_aHhWYd16I/AAAAAAAAASY/lUkOAmu1q5s/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xN4mg8irmdE/T_aHhWYd16I/AAAAAAAAASY/lUkOAmu1q5s/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-26136942647178398022012-06-29T22:18:00.000-07:002012-06-29T22:34:08.922-07:00We Thought Of You Today<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is starting to settle back into a new "normal" after losing Dad on June 9, 2012. After going through all the things that are necessary when losing a family member, the emotions seem to catch up when life carries on. I find myself checking to see if Dad's lights are on when I get up through the night, only to realize that he's gone.... It seems like such a hard blow when I realize it, but I was there when he left us, so I know it's true. Why do our minds play such awful tricks? I guess all this is normal, but I just can't seem to REALLY believe he's gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye, Dad - I miss you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><u>We Thought Of You Today</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">We thought of you today,<br />But that is nothing new.<br />We
thought of you yesterday<br />And will tomorrow, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We think of you
in silence<br />And make no outward show.<br />For what it meant to lose you<br />Only
those who love you know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remembering you is easy,<br />We do it everyday.<br />It's the heartache of
losing you<br />That will never go away</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">In Loving
Memory Of John Ronald (Ron) Tapp</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">June 18, 1930 - June 9, 2012</span></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-18277819511647046992012-06-19T00:58:00.000-07:002012-06-19T00:58:32.389-07:00It's here, it's here!!!!!!!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6RENZixbxw/T-Auph75dFI/AAAAAAAAARs/2O-Me7Gj-7M/s1600/Out+Of+The+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6RENZixbxw/T-Auph75dFI/AAAAAAAAARs/2O-Me7Gj-7M/s320/Out+Of+The+Box.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just out of the box - my NEW Vitamix!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After what seems like forever, it's finally here - my </span><a href="http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx?view=2&app=detail&params=item^K30741,RecTypeInd^IOFFER,navlist^K30741*K31073*K36614*,cp^detail,tmp^related,cpprod^K36187,cm_scid^dtlr&walk=&cmtags=&cookie=set" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>VitaMix</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!!! I haven't unpacked it yet, but I can't wait to begin making smoothies and dressings and many more exciting things to help me on my way with the </span><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/ETLBook.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Eat To Live</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> diet by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I will keep track of my progress here. I am going to be starting S-L-O-W-L-Y, but hope to be fully on track soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight I had a smoothie for supper along with a nice salad with romaine, papaya, tomatoes, green onion, celery, orange peppers, snap peas, mandarin orange segments and a few other things I can't remember. Anyways, I hope that I can get healthy and my new Vitamix is going to help me!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of Dr. Fuhrman's recipes includes an "Anti-Cancer Soup". Can't wait to try that one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today marks what would have been my Dad's 82nd birthday. He missed making it by NINE days! Happy Birthday, Dad! We miss you a lot! :-(</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0-6cwmEQzM/T-AwpCB2vfI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6IbI88ifVQ0/s1600/Maybell_Day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0-6cwmEQzM/T-AwpCB2vfI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6IbI88ifVQ0/s320/Maybell_Day1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">On a little happier note, we have a new furry member of the family.....her name is Maybell. Isn't she CUTE???! Maybell needed a new home, so...... Not sure that hubby is too impressed, but..... LOL! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg1Hc8WmIuE/T9_Xue53z5I/AAAAAAAAARg/kc46EXKo0H4/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg1Hc8WmIuE/T9_Xue53z5I/AAAAAAAAARg/kc46EXKo0H4/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-23229653926180906132012-06-14T01:07:00.001-07:002012-06-14T01:07:14.858-07:00Bye, Dad<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, June 9, 2012 is the day my father took his last breath here on earth. It was nice that his three daughters were able to be by his side. Luckily, my sister, Janet, was able to make it and arrived at 11 p.m. Friday night. Dad passed away the next morning at 10:55 a.m. Two of us were with him from when he was admitted to hospital on the Wednesday morning. Dad would have been 82 on June 18. It all still seems a bit surreal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Father's Day will be a tough one. We will take DH's father out for lunch or dinner to celebrate him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Enjoy your fathers this weekend, everyone.</span><br />
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<br />Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-79217198966075441572012-04-20T07:18:00.000-07:002012-04-20T07:18:46.181-07:00Abby's Special Egg<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, Abby (our resident feather plucker) has decided - along with every other bird in our household - that she is hormonal. What a FUN time of year! Instead of actually LAYING an egg, she has chosen a substitute - a small plastic mug for the birds - a foraging toy. This is Abby's "egg of choice"! Pretty cute to see her on it, but I can't help but wonder if it isn't uncomfortable! Here are a few pics of her last night. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3DXMjE9zAo/T5FtyAgW1NI/AAAAAAAAAP8/ik7Ssve3mkI/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3DXMjE9zAo/T5FtyAgW1NI/AAAAAAAAAP8/ik7Ssve3mkI/s320/AbbyStyleEgg1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsCgFcV8M6M/T5Ft4pMSauI/AAAAAAAAAQE/CZTjrKgzhqQ/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsCgFcV8M6M/T5Ft4pMSauI/AAAAAAAAAQE/CZTjrKgzhqQ/s320/AbbyStyleEgg2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"This is MY egg - even though it doesn't LOOK like an egg!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awF_lpiNIlQ/T5Ft8ZqtyFI/AAAAAAAAAQM/uIu-IbZmYVw/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awF_lpiNIlQ/T5Ft8ZqtyFI/AAAAAAAAAQM/uIu-IbZmYVw/s320/AbbyStyleEgg3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I DON'T appreciate the intrusion!!"</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwIvukLnYvg/T5FuBEVQrvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/aVyI0m8Wh4I/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwIvukLnYvg/T5FuBEVQrvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/aVyI0m8Wh4I/s320/AbbyStyleEgg4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMNJXHSeTW8/T5FuF4dQ_EI/AAAAAAAAAQc/it7cMJspu4c/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMNJXHSeTW8/T5FuF4dQ_EI/AAAAAAAAAQc/it7cMJspu4c/s320/AbbyStyleEgg5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GcGGUa2w_c/T5FuKoWnr6I/AAAAAAAAAQk/hlHK3pgtWOo/s1600/AbbyStyleEgg6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GcGGUa2w_c/T5FuKoWnr6I/AAAAAAAAAQk/hlHK3pgtWOo/s320/AbbyStyleEgg6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I LOVE my green egg!!!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's really fun trying to change her paper as she is so protective!! Cute, hey????</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ra1nILwp-pM/T5FwNnJ76KI/AAAAAAAAAQs/5hPPDuUVOj0/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ra1nILwp-pM/T5FwNnJ76KI/AAAAAAAAAQs/5hPPDuUVOj0/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-87081087612344594432012-03-13T20:13:00.000-07:002012-03-13T20:13:26.123-07:00Springtime Easter Bunny Giveaway!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Angi over at <a href="http://drakestoneprimitivescountrycabin.blogspot.com/2012/03/freebie-giveaway-time.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Drakestone Primitives Country Cabin</span></a> is having a generous giveaway! She is offering the sweetest little primitive Easter bunny holding his own Easter egg - he is just SO sweet! Go to Angi's </span><a href="http://drakestoneprimitivescountrycabin.blogspot.com/2012/03/freebie-giveaway-time.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and check it out! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tPZU_1_uRs/T2ALzkexStI/AAAAAAAAAP0/apAzsl4dDIA/s1600/PrimBunnyGiveaway" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tPZU_1_uRs/T2ALzkexStI/AAAAAAAAAP0/apAzsl4dDIA/s320/PrimBunnyGiveaway" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet Bunny giveaway at Drakestone Primitives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Country Cabin - SWEET or what????</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck to everyone who enters and thanks Angi!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pq7kZenK3Gc/T2AIj3YbW2I/AAAAAAAAAPs/aXNMTdMjlXw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pq7kZenK3Gc/T2AIj3YbW2I/AAAAAAAAAPs/aXNMTdMjlXw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-5849901837065219282012-03-11T21:33:00.002-07:002012-03-11T21:38:10.090-07:00A Sunday Morning SurpriseI love having Bantam hens around the farm. They are SO cute! We have a Bantam (meaning SMALLER) hen on the farm currently - her name is Molly! She's VERY cute! She came to live with us back in the fall. She found a friend in Reuben the rooster. He's a very handsome guy and easy to get along with.<br />
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The only BAD thing about Bantam hens is this.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWEUfXsaQTg/T117C3mvF0I/AAAAAAAAAPE/NyOHf7R2aSg/s1600/Molly_baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWEUfXsaQTg/T117C3mvF0I/AAAAAAAAAPE/NyOHf7R2aSg/s320/Molly_baby.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly the Banty hen and one of her brand new babies</td></tr>
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I looked out the laundry room window this morning to see Molly with EIGHT of these!!!!! It certainly WAS a Sunday morning surprise!!!!!<br />
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</div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-68289378773476339222012-03-10T21:38:00.008-08:002012-03-11T21:56:41.035-07:00Clear The RoadsDS got his "L" today. In British Columbia, we have a graduated driving license program. The "L" allows people to drive only with supervision for the first year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRgqQ_UTlV8/T12AHQEDTkI/AAAAAAAAAPU/ghIJSQ4t5Ak/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRgqQ_UTlV8/T12AHQEDTkI/AAAAAAAAAPU/ghIJSQ4t5Ak/s320/L.jpg" width="251" yda="true" /></a></div> <br />
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The "L" is a magnet that is issued by the Government and it MUST be displayed on the back of a vehicle that is being driven by an "L" (learner) driver.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, my friends, be forewarned! The roads will NEVER be the same!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbMGWTg7tJs/T12Ag8W3jzI/AAAAAAAAAPc/eT5SkJpSoko/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbMGWTg7tJs/T12Ag8W3jzI/AAAAAAAAAPc/eT5SkJpSoko/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-78829691173703261592012-02-06T10:02:00.000-08:002012-02-06T10:06:28.618-08:00The Seasons of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTGWCA4mN8k/TzAUG7WXeyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/raQUOKMoJSg/s1600/SpringDriveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTGWCA4mN8k/TzAUG7WXeyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/raQUOKMoJSg/s320/SpringDriveway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a pretty yucky flu before/during/after Christmas. With the cough that was one of the last "stages" of this flu, I was affected for almost 8 weeks. It was a doozy and many people I have spoken with have also been down for several weeks with this one. My 81-year-old father lives with us in a mobile home on our property. He is able to be independent and we each have our privacy, but are close enough if need be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, the nasty flu bug caught up with Dad. He went downhill pretty fast once he caught it. He also has prostate cancer, so is somewhat immune compromised with the meds he is on. Well, within 10 days, I ended up having to call an ambulance for Dad. He had pneumonia. It was a particularly snowy night and he had fallen and was not altogether coherent, so I called because I certainly was NOT comfortable taking him into the hospital by myself. He was in the hospital for six days and never left the emergency department of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital the entire time he was there. That is how BUSY our hospital is! After six days, he was released. My sister, Karen, brought him home in a very weakened state. I was out of town that weekend helping a friend move. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long story short, Dad is recovering, albeit slowly. It turns out that he has never been truly sick in his 81 years on this planet! Can you believe that? He was nauseous in the hospital for several days and had never experienced that sensation before - almost impossible to comprehend for the average person!!! He is NOT a happy sick person (of course, who is??). We have HomeCare coming in to assist him once a day with dressing and bathing. I am helping where I can with meals, meds, etc. and my wonderful sister, Karen is helping me when she can. She lives 45 minutes away, so it's difficult, but she is always there for me if/when I need her whether it be for physical or mental support!! Thanks, Karen!! <span style="color: red; font-family: Webdings; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, my life is not quite my own right now. DS turned 16 on Saturday the 4th. DD is 13 and they both are really becoming mature young adults. I guess that's why they call us the "sandwich" generation - finish with the kids and then help care for the parents. "Seasons of life". I'm certainly not complaining, but it's not easy!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My dear friend, <a href="http://www.treasuresevermore.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Connie</span></a>, lost her Grampie at the age of 91 years on Saturday. I will forever remember that date as that was DS's 16th birthday. I had the priviledge of meeting Connie's Grammie and Grampie in 2008 when she and I went back to visit with her family in Ontario. My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family, my dear. I know how much you loved your Grampie and how special he was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings to all! Have a great day!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FoLxxE-CSo/TzAUeuDyehI/AAAAAAAAAOw/xZGQx2auLsY/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FoLxxE-CSo/TzAUeuDyehI/AAAAAAAAAOw/xZGQx2auLsY/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-20214742756792771952012-01-05T17:42:00.000-08:002012-01-05T17:42:05.107-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn-yuvw5ziE/TwZQ3Bg0vZI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_7cRHObNmno/s1600/2012HappyNewYear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn-yuvw5ziE/TwZQ3Bg0vZI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_7cRHObNmno/s320/2012HappyNewYear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year to those in blogland. It seems like time goes so very quickly and other things take priority over blogging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2011 ended with a bit of a flop in that I had a pretty awful flu through Christmas and the holidays and wasn't feeling too good. Thankfully I'm on the mend now with just a residual cough. My 82-year-old Dad has the flu now, though, so hopefully he will be able to fend it off - I'll be keeping a close eye on him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did have a wonderful Christmas dinner on Christmas day at my sister, Karen and her hubby Allen's house. It was really wonderful to enjoy Christmas dinner with family even though I was feeling under the weather. A very special time, for sure. Karen, your house looked beautiful and the dinner was AWESOME! Thank you for having all of us and I'm sorry that it's so much work and stress for the hostess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's hoping that 2012 is kind to everyone. It's like a clean slate and a fresh start, isn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm off tonight to join one of my "other" daughters (</span><a href="http://www.treasuresevermore.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie's</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> daughter, Tianna) in picking out her wedding dress for an upcoming August 2012 wedding!! How exciting!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ma7KAaf13Wc/TwZNuPQGCBI/AAAAAAAAAOU/_J6GsI9K1lM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ma7KAaf13Wc/TwZNuPQGCBI/AAAAAAAAAOU/_J6GsI9K1lM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bird count: 2 Greys, 4 Quakers plus 2 foster Quakers plus visiting Lucy Quaker plus 2 Society Finches</span></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-58881255149202358222011-11-24T07:37:00.000-08:002011-11-24T07:37:12.937-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkdzU4U7dE8/Ts5kJLMKgeI/AAAAAAAAAN0/PJtVsWgsnR0/s1600/Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkdzU4U7dE8/Ts5kJLMKgeI/AAAAAAAAAN0/PJtVsWgsnR0/s320/Thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Thanksgiving to all our neighbours to the South. I hope you have a wonderful celebration and enjoy your friends and family and lots of turkey and trimmings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaoxdNPvJwU/Ts5kiVDvhrI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Bh1nz2ubFbw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaoxdNPvJwU/Ts5kiVDvhrI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Bh1nz2ubFbw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-31922187144492183442011-10-24T18:23:00.000-07:002011-10-24T18:25:27.332-07:00Update is Due...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwUvUN1AYOM/TqYP9btvfXI/AAAAAAAAANs/bhjwQ9xGcZU/s1600/Welcome_Autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwUvUN1AYOM/TqYP9btvfXI/AAAAAAAAANs/bhjwQ9xGcZU/s1600/Welcome_Autumn.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I'd say that an update is due. I've been very busy with life things and well, sometimes there just aren't enough hours in a day. When life is busy, blogging is what suffers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be back tomorrow with a few updates on life in the past couple of months. Thanks for your patience, bloggy friends!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTXBc869pmU/TqYPS-EbbMI/AAAAAAAAANk/4vW88qWvGNA/s1600/SIGNATURE_cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTXBc869pmU/TqYPS-EbbMI/AAAAAAAAANk/4vW88qWvGNA/s1600/SIGNATURE_cream.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-13004849693286376202011-09-07T18:13:00.000-07:002011-09-07T18:13:04.689-07:00A Bloggy Giveaway<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vco3dxZMSR0/TmgVlQTWNCI/AAAAAAAAANg/XrfknZmiRUw/s1600/Leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vco3dxZMSR0/TmgVlQTWNCI/AAAAAAAAANg/XrfknZmiRUw/s1600/Leaf.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda over at Sewfine Quilts is having a giveaway! You can get in on the fun, too - just visit her blog </span><a href="http://www.sewfinequilts.com/2011/09/my-birthday-giveaway.html?showComment=1315443208628#c7385224413547805127"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>HERE</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, leave a comment asking to be included, then do a post on your own blog about her giveaway! Pretty easy and she's got a lovely table topper and a couple of other neat things that you could win! Good luck everyone!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhQ1AEe5J5w/TmgUFDbdcZI/AAAAAAAAANc/Cofjt8elGWE/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhQ1AEe5J5w/TmgUFDbdcZI/AAAAAAAAANc/Cofjt8elGWE/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-82235646042090245342011-08-23T20:08:00.000-07:002011-08-24T08:08:01.622-07:00Rueben the Rooster<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've had Rueben the rooster for almost two years now. He was an SPCA seizure and I adopted him from them when I was in picking up some budgies for Greyhaven. He had been tied BY HIS FOOT (!!!!!) and seized in a cruelty investigation. They treated his foot and I adopted him when his foot was well again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, Rueben now has a thing called Bumblefoot. It's a relatively common occurence in chickens/roosters caused by staphylococcus bacteria. If the bird gets an open sore in the foot, the bacteria can enter and cause the infection which can include redness and swelling with pus and can be very painful for the animal. Rueben has been hiding up at the far end of the pen for a couple of days. He was fighting with Roscoe, one of the other roosters last week, and was knocked down in the pecking order. I suspect it was because his foot was sore.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTWJAp9cC9Y/TlRnq-UVY7I/AAAAAAAAANU/HaOHvOg-AbE/s1600/ReubenAKAKenny1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTWJAp9cC9Y/TlRnq-UVY7I/AAAAAAAAANU/HaOHvOg-AbE/s400/ReubenAKAKenny1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rueben the rooster</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have now isolated Rueben in a large cage in the barn away from the other chickens. I have treated his foot with some (believe it or not) Preparation H to reduce the swelling. Tomorrow I will head to Langley to get some antibiotics and proper treatment cream for him. I have done some research on this condition which, in 20+ years of poultry keeping I've never seen, although I HAVE heard of it in parrots. Poor Rueben. Hopefully he will be back in action soon. When we put his food and water in his cage tonight, he seemed very thirsty. Good thing we noticed him up at the far end (it's over 100 feet long and the weeds are very long right now). So, he has nice clean water and fresh food now, and a safe, clean place to sleep tonight. It's always a bit stressful treating the outside animals because we don't see them all the time like the inside animals. Rueben is used to being handled and fussed over, however, and he's a very good patient, thank goodness. When I picked him up at the SPCA, the girls there had grown very attached to him.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to be very careful in treating Bumblefoot. The staph or other bacteria that cause the abscess can infect humans. Best to wear gloves in case of any open sores or nicks on your hands. It also can be transmitted to the inside birds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully Rueben will be back to his old self in no time. I'll keep you updated!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_DrR3sjjS4/TlRq19bgwoI/AAAAAAAAANY/Uh4qsrbeexs/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_DrR3sjjS4/TlRq19bgwoI/AAAAAAAAANY/Uh4qsrbeexs/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-45099716327457858742011-08-21T10:14:00.000-07:002011-08-21T10:24:42.030-07:00I Won!!!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrI9LS74M3M/TlE_SkRlCpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dX_y4L7Tlug/s1600/Autumnleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrI9LS74M3M/TlE_SkRlCpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dX_y4L7Tlug/s1600/Autumnleaf.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won a bloggy giveaway this morning! Janet over at </span><a href="http://oldecrowprimitives-janet.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Olde Crow Primitives</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> had an Awesome Autumn Giveaway. Her DH drew the names this morning and I came in second place!! The autumn header that you see above was my prize!!!! I'm SO excited!!! Janet even put a parrot on it (I think that is my Maya) - how thoughtful!!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much, Janet - I just LOVE it!</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you have time, go on over to <a href="http://oldecrowprimitives-janet.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: orange;">Janet's blog</span></a> and have a look around. She has some fun stuff for sale, too!!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovCPPo0T9r4/TlE85W0l1PI/AAAAAAAAANM/mHnx3PS1ezo/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovCPPo0T9r4/TlE85W0l1PI/AAAAAAAAANM/mHnx3PS1ezo/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-21849456267346019532011-08-17T10:02:00.000-07:002011-08-23T23:22:13.567-07:00When Depression Wins<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday brought with it a sad story from the hockey world. One of the Canucks' (our home team) previous players was found dead in his apartment in Alberta - apparently from suicide. Rick Rypien was a gritty centre for the club for six years. He had signed with the Winnipeg Jets for this upcoming year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FmunwlhDH0/TkvxuTtaqTI/AAAAAAAAAMw/iSdwI29IeRU/s1600/Rypien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FmunwlhDH0/TkvxuTtaqTI/AAAAAAAAAMw/iSdwI29IeRU/s200/Rypien.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vancouver Canucks' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Former Centreman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rick Rypien</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1984-2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depression affects everyone. As a fellow sufferer, let me tell you that you CANNOT judge anyone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes. It's a horrible affliction (a chemical imbalance) - one that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. My heart goes out to Rick's family and former team mates and I really feel for what he may have been going through. Apparently he had suffered with depression for a decade or so. Perhaps he couldn't get it under control with medication, or the medication wasn't right for him, or didn't take his medication - no one will ever know now.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A seemingly bright light in the hockey world in the form of talent and the result of many years of hard work. What a shame that the light has been snuffed out. Depression has won again. He was only 27.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My thoughts and prayers are with those Rick left behind. Their questions will never be answered. Rest in Peace, Rick.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjsPxVaIhMM/Tkvz9qi0tqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/fXvc1lbwwUM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjsPxVaIhMM/Tkvz9qi0tqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/fXvc1lbwwUM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-36176234855916991662011-08-01T12:17:00.000-07:002011-08-01T12:20:20.342-07:00Awesome Autumn Giveaway at Olde Crow Primitives!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oI26lph7D2A/Tjb7h9YVVKI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YtBQql_SYOI/s1600/autumn_leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oI26lph7D2A/Tjb7h9YVVKI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YtBQql_SYOI/s1600/autumn_leaf.jpg" t$="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister, Janet, over at <a href="http://oldecrowprimitives-janet.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=41">Olde Crow Primitives</a> is having - well, just like the title says - an Awesome Autumn Giveaway!!! Go on over to her blog and check it out! It's a great giveaway with some great stuff!!! You must be a follower of her blog, but all the rules are posted oh her blog,so go </span><a href="http://oldecrowprimitives-janet.blogspot.com/2011/08/awesome-autumn-give-away.html?showComment=1312225683114#c5506914262413303430"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>check it out right away</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks, Janet!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-509WTwIfm5k/Tjb6o9zgp8I/AAAAAAAAAMo/y1g38aQX7Qc/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-509WTwIfm5k/Tjb6o9zgp8I/AAAAAAAAAMo/y1g38aQX7Qc/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-48778778604061965412011-07-28T14:04:00.000-07:002011-07-28T14:05:50.969-07:00Treasures from Craigslist<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love Craigslist!!!! I have found many treasures on Craigslist over the past several years. I have two foster birds that came to me through Craigslist. Our livestock guardian dog, Jake, was posted on Craigslist. Our two new rescue goats were posted on Craigslist. And so it goes....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day, I took Dad with me to North Vancouver, where we picked up my latest Craigslist treasure. It's so lovely and I have been looking for one like it for YEARS. I have a couple of places in mind for it, but can't decide quite yet. Here's a photo (courtesy of Moe, as you know my camera is MIA).</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgveCo6oj70/TjHNx5womcI/AAAAAAAAAMg/YkFD1l7i-x0/s1600/Pine_Cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgveCo6oj70/TjHNx5womcI/AAAAAAAAAMg/YkFD1l7i-x0/s320/Pine_Cabinet.jpg" t$="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My latest "Craigslist" treasure!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cabinet is taller than me! It's solid pine, and has SO much character. I got it for a great price, too! Thanks again, Moe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I LOVE Craigslist!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWwz8BDa748/TjHOsOJa3uI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ZO8LMhuWB_M/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWwz8BDa748/TjHOsOJa3uI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ZO8LMhuWB_M/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-69087681452413400192011-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:05:35.961-07:00Proud As Can Be - A Corby Starlet is Born!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a sister back in Ontario. Her name is Janet (you can visit her blog <strong><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://oldecrowprimitives-janet.blogspot.com/">HERE</a></span></strong>) and she's married to an amazing man named Stan. They live in a hundred-year-old farmhouse and they farm the land (can't remember right now how many acres they have). Stan also has an interest in aircraft - namely, homebuilt aircraft! I have visited a couple of times over the years and seen Stan's project in the big shop, but never dreamed of all the time it REALLY entailed to complete such a thing. We got an e-mail a couple of weeks back from Stan telling us that his project was complete and that it just needed some tweaking and fine tuning. Here is his e-mail dated June 27, 2011......</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><u>A Corby Starlet is Born</u></em></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Howdy Folks,</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Just thought I would send you some pics of the birthing of my brand new Corby Starlet that was 10 years in the making. Well actually some parts are ten years old and and others are every where in between. It was moved from the shop to the hanger today and I am starting to get used to the idea that this thing may actually fly! Kinda like a flying sports car and should be fun to fly once I stop my knees from knocking. Lots of testing to do yet and then will see if this thing can defy gravity.</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Cheers</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Stan (photos below)</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRoAvYOWy8Y/TjGDr9JhigI/AAAAAAAAAME/iZymVQ16rtw/s1600/CorbyStarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRoAvYOWy8Y/TjGDr9JhigI/AAAAAAAAAME/iZymVQ16rtw/s320/CorbyStarlet.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_ZN3MTuXtA/TjGDuNDChrI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Be31FjnOpNQ/s1600/CorbyStarlet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_ZN3MTuXtA/TjGDuNDChrI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Be31FjnOpNQ/s320/CorbyStarlet1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suYtMJG_bDA/TjGDwV-ny_I/AAAAAAAAAMM/vjj0PG-VoN4/s1600/CorbyStarlet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suYtMJG_bDA/TjGDwV-ny_I/AAAAAAAAAMM/vjj0PG-VoN4/s320/CorbyStarlet2.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBk9EZQWveM/TjGD4dfdM4I/AAAAAAAAAMU/DJXWkaBKyUo/s1600/CorbyStarlet4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBk9EZQWveM/TjGD4dfdM4I/AAAAAAAAAMU/DJXWkaBKyUo/s320/CorbyStarlet4.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fH4tI59vIx0/TjGD7oWUZbI/AAAAAAAAAMY/uhuoEqEPUyg/s1600/CorbyStarlet5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fH4tI59vIx0/TjGD7oWUZbI/AAAAAAAAAMY/uhuoEqEPUyg/s320/CorbyStarlet5.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am just so proud of Stan and Stan, I can't imagine how proud YOU must be - congratulations!!!! What an accomplishment!! Hard to fathom the magnitude of such a task. Can't believe it was TEN years in the making! What dedication and determination!!!!! We will be waiting for updates on that Corby Starlet. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRV3_CS4ILE/TjGFYUwJXxI/AAAAAAAAAMc/MoH-N79gulA/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRV3_CS4ILE/TjGFYUwJXxI/AAAAAAAAAMc/MoH-N79gulA/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-10233880163949722022011-07-27T19:04:00.000-07:002011-07-27T19:04:10.949-07:00Shower With a Friend?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I showered with two friends. Now, before you go thinking that I'm some weirdo, let me explain. Birds need showers. Humans need showers. I have two shower perches in my shower so that I can take one or two birds into the shower with me to get their showers. This helps to (ahem) "kill two birds with one stone" - if you'll pardon the pun! :-) It's pretty easy to just put each bird on a perch and go about having my shower. I don't have any RECENT shower photos (only the birds, only the birds, don't worry!!! LOL), but I have a couple of old ones that I'll post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last three days, I've showered with 6 birds - today it was two African Greys, yesterday it was two Quakers, and the day before that, it was three Quakers. Bella & Bobby share a perch. My cockatiel, Cheek, does NOT like to shower nor does Elmo, another Quaker. Elmo will sit on the top rail, though, and tell us all how it's done!! He looks so tough up there, but if I go to pick him up and put him in the water, he's bound and bent to get away - he's such a cutie-pie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the pics I promised. They are a few years old, but at least you can get a feel for showering birds.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-QaaExQYeQ/TjC-W9Bkb9I/AAAAAAAAALs/AcLPqKRwp4s/s1600/IMG_0126sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-QaaExQYeQ/TjC-W9Bkb9I/AAAAAAAAALs/AcLPqKRwp4s/s320/IMG_0126sm.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maya in the shower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJKYHVWN2aE/TjC-0ZwgU2I/AAAAAAAAAL0/0oTKJBvUzaY/s1600/IMG_0130sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJKYHVWN2aE/TjC-0ZwgU2I/AAAAAAAAAL0/0oTKJBvUzaY/s320/IMG_0130sm.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maya again</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svnaBxmlG50/TjC_CxTXevI/AAAAAAAAAL4/c-7dTinVVSk/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svnaBxmlG50/TjC_CxTXevI/AAAAAAAAAL4/c-7dTinVVSk/s320/IMG_5763.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bobby (middle) & Bella and Maya in behind BEFORE getting wet!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOqpxrrTraI/TjC_UTbLdwI/AAAAAAAAAL8/LT1RsTFIHsA/s1600/MayaTheo_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOqpxrrTraI/TjC_UTbLdwI/AAAAAAAAAL8/LT1RsTFIHsA/s320/MayaTheo_sm.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maya & Theodore</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the birds enjoy their showers. Maya actually squawks if you hog the water - LOL! She likes a nice, solid spray of water and turns back and forth. Theodore doesn't really care for his showers - he keeps his feathers tight to his body and the water rolls off so he looks like he hasn't had a shower when we're finished. Abby has no tummy feathers (she's a plucker), so she gets wet whether or not she wants to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, save water - shower with a friend today!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEGr3THUOyA/TjDDQzuBbII/AAAAAAAAAMA/dHDo7Wf8p7Q/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEGr3THUOyA/TjDDQzuBbII/AAAAAAAAAMA/dHDo7Wf8p7Q/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-63455757379139744322011-07-25T21:49:00.000-07:002011-07-28T09:46:07.915-07:00Catching Up!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it's been a very busy couple of months since I posted here. This is just a quick post while I have a little time. Will post more when I have more time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally got the house "water disaster" fixed up and the last tradesperson finished up last Monday. I had no hot water in the kitchen for six weeks and no dishwasher for two months. Wah!!! Amazing what we get used to. The good news is that we have a new bathroom, a newly-painted laundry room with new flooring, dd's bedroom has been re-painted and the carpeting replaced. I also got new countertops in my kitchen. It was a very stressful time, but it's done now. Many thanks to </span><a href="http://www.onside.ca/locations.php?cityName=Abbotsford"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OnSide Restoration</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, who saw us through it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bad news........the reno set us back about $16,000! With no insurance (we DO have insurance, but they don't cover water damage over TIME), and the black mould a possible health risk to everyone, we had no choice but to go ahead and get it done. With DH working a new job, it wasn't possible for him to do it, so we had to just bite the bullet and have it done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have pics of the renos, but my camera is missing in action right now, so will upload when I can find it. I'll try not to be such a poor correspondent. It's just been a whirlwind time of late.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpf_O1NhKRc/Ti5GUvXqkeI/AAAAAAAAALo/JuhfRftVOGA/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpf_O1NhKRc/Ti5GUvXqkeI/AAAAAAAAALo/JuhfRftVOGA/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-16170622220408564342011-06-05T10:03:00.000-07:002011-06-05T10:13:34.816-07:00Hot Water, Weather & Hockey....<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here it is June 5, 2011 and I still have no hot water in my kitchen from this unplanned demo. It's sure a lot of work schlepping hot water from the bathroom to fill the kitchen sink to do dishes by hand. AND still no washing machine either. I've been taking loads up to my Dad's place (he's in a modular home on our property) to wash and then drying them in my dryer. DH hooked the dryer up again, so that is nice and makes it a wee bit easier. The good news is that we will have a new hot water tank this week sometime. Things are being REconstructed now and the tearing apart part is over. Thank goodness! Will try to get some pics up when I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My washing machine and upright freezer are in the family room. The big wall shelving unit sits in our foyer. Boxes of cans from underneath the counter are sitting in the living room. Contents of the laundry room are in our bedroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My personal favourite (speaking of laundry room contents) is having the cat litter box in our ensuite bathroom. Amazing what we have suffer with during times of upheaval!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am not complaining, though. I know that this could have been MUCH worse and we could have lost everything to a fire or something similar, so this is nothing, really. I do still have hot water from our other tank that feeds the bathrooms. All this makes me realize how much we have and that we take for granted. Think of the old days when everything was done manually and water was heated on the stove. Those poor women with lots of children and all that laundry. Can't even imagine doing that all by hand. Mind you, they wore clothes a lot longer than we do nowadays. I am grateful for what we have. The final tally for cost is not in yet, but that, too, could have been much worse. Of course, it would have been nice if insurance covered all of this, but we can't have it all, can we???? LOL! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past couple of days. We haven't seen weather over 20 degrees (Celsius) since October 1st - heard that on the weather yesterday - can you believe it!???? October 1st, by the way, is my and my sister's birthday (no, we're not twins, but she was born 5 years before me), so I remember just how long ago it was. Hard to believe!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kymWTBt4pDs/Teu2gZLbjuI/AAAAAAAAALg/qUxyb3aa-fQ/s1600/CanucksLogo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kymWTBt4pDs/Teu2gZLbjuI/AAAAAAAAALg/qUxyb3aa-fQ/s1600/CanucksLogo.bmp" t8="true" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">On the hockey front, our home NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks, won the second game of the final series (against the Boston Bruins) for the Stanley cup last night. Woohoo!!! What a game! The score was 2-2 and Alex Burrows scored 11 seconds into the first O/T period. The Canucks have NEVER won the Stanley Cup in their 40-year history, so it would be nice. They are playing well this year and quite consistently. They've battled hard to get this far. Go, Canucks, go!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have a great week, everyone!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AlzzrbHoS8/Teu2vM4f8TI/AAAAAAAAALk/KJ67KnybkBY/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AlzzrbHoS8/Teu2vM4f8TI/AAAAAAAAALk/KJ67KnybkBY/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-25240393982991357662011-05-18T17:55:00.000-07:002011-05-18T17:55:11.269-07:00Still Demolishing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no end in sight to the water damage in our house. The demo crew (might as well give them a </span><a href="http://www.onside.ca/locations.php?cityName=Abbotsford"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plug</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) were here on Friday to start, then the Project Manager came back on Monday morning to have a look, and then the crew were back again today. They uncovered more floors and found more water (sopping WET floors). Obviously, we have to find where the water travelled to and everything to that point needs to be replaced. Can't remember if I said in my last post what it was - it was a very slow hot water tank leak - probably over about 10 years or so. We are on a concrete slab, so it's not just an easy fix with going into a basement and doing it from below.....there is no BELOW here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, because the hot water heater was sort of centrally located in the house, it has spread in almost EVERY direction! It's wet in my kitchen, in one of the kids' bedrooms and in the computer room and laundry room. Before we can start REconstruction, the DEconstruction has to take place, and it's VERY stressful. That's not even to mention the MOULD that has begun to grow - don't even want to go into that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had to leave today when they were tearing out my kitchen cupboards or I would have cried. So, I took Dad out for his daily Tim's, and a nice hot cup of coffee sure made me feel better AND I didn't cry. Not too good at dealing with stress since the cancer thing - something to do with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Did I mention that this is NOT covered by insurance? Nope. Nada. Not a bit of it. THAT is the part that really makes me want to cry. There is no end to the scope of work that needs to be done, so that means there is no end in sight yet to what it might cost. I know it could be worse, and I'm trying to keep that in my mind. I've been feeling sorry for myself, but I realize that it just needs to be DONE and I need to grin and bear it. Here are some photos of the computer room with all my appliances in it, and the hallway/bathroom areas.....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SP76L3uLkTQ/TdRnz3c3FqI/AAAAAAAAAK8/F9-u8sUacYk/s1600/Computer_Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SP76L3uLkTQ/TdRnz3c3FqI/AAAAAAAAAK8/F9-u8sUacYk/s320/Computer_Room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdAHSZ_rqgI/TdRn1D_tQbI/AAAAAAAAALA/iwO_bEjsd-o/s1600/Hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdAHSZ_rqgI/TdRn1D_tQbI/AAAAAAAAALA/iwO_bEjsd-o/s320/Hallway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siBOgLjatxk/TdRn2CXz5-I/AAAAAAAAALE/tfmDcxj0ZNs/s1600/Hallway_MainBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siBOgLjatxk/TdRn2CXz5-I/AAAAAAAAALE/tfmDcxj0ZNs/s320/Hallway_MainBath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVUVlx8Om9w/TdRn3l0NleI/AAAAAAAAALI/L_a5okdMQQ8/s1600/Hallway_MainBath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVUVlx8Om9w/TdRn3l0NleI/AAAAAAAAALI/L_a5okdMQQ8/s320/Hallway_MainBath1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wH7Kic4HMCo/TdRn-Mh4rQI/AAAAAAAAALU/BpC879suQ_I/s1600/Main_Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wH7Kic4HMCo/TdRn-Mh4rQI/AAAAAAAAALU/BpC879suQ_I/s320/Main_Bath.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my poor KITCHEN....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qa5TRck1aek/TdRpmMQDyZI/AAAAAAAAALc/jTNgq8BHank/s1600/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qa5TRck1aek/TdRpmMQDyZI/AAAAAAAAALc/jTNgq8BHank/s320/Kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hmmmm, I DID want the bathroom remodelled, but this was NOT what I had in mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Other than that, I had a quite uneventful day. LOL!!!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CY1faJAXJFA/TdRerA53vhI/AAAAAAAAAK4/rimQ6OriDAM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CY1faJAXJFA/TdRerA53vhI/AAAAAAAAAK4/rimQ6OriDAM/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-57563786405082661322011-05-16T06:40:00.000-07:002011-05-16T06:40:59.880-07:00Washing DishesWell, the guys came on Friday and tore out the entire bathroom - right down to the concrete. They left it all done up in plastic so the room was totally contained in a "negative airspace" with a fan blowing out the window. That left me with no hot water to my kitchen or laundry room. Luckily, we still have hot water in our master bathroom and the small bathroom near our front door. They have their own hot water source. So, I got to wash dishes by hand this weekend - woohoo! Haven't done that in awhile. Keeps you grateful for what you DO have, I guess. :-D<br />
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Luckily, we have two other bathrooms - not sure how that would have played out if that had been our only bathroom, as it was before we built the additions to the house. Oh, well, I guess I don't need to think about that.<br />
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The restoration company will be back again today. They still have not found how far the water damage goes. It will cost more than was thought since they couldn't finish in one day. Nice. At least they are available to do it - for that I'm very thankful as DH is far too busy to be able to do it himself. Too bad the house insurance doesn't cover it, though.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now as I have THREE extra birds in the house. Xena, the foster Quaker, Casey the foundling, and my Senegal, Cubby has come back after being placed in her new home last year. Really noticing it with washing dishes by hand and the extra noise. Quakers really seem to feed off other Quakers' noisiness, and bird dishes really add up.</div><br />
Had a good day yesterday. Cooked lots of food for the birds so I could freeze it. It just helps me to get going a bit quicker in the mornings. Spent a lot of time on my feet, which had my back hurting pretty good last night, but it could have been worse. Glad that I'm feeling better these days!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5IDMpdt19Vc/TdEoMWDqj3I/AAAAAAAAAK0/_eaV3LO3ZVw/s1600/BirthdayJersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5IDMpdt19Vc/TdEoMWDqj3I/AAAAAAAAAK0/_eaV3LO3ZVw/s200/BirthdayJersey.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>Watched the hockey game last night - game one of round three of the Stanley Cup final. Our Canucks won over the San Jose sharks. Hopefully they can get past this team to the final. Go, Canucks, go!!!<br />
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Have a great day, everyone. Another day of demolition here.<br />
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<img height="36" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtU_9oxVC0/TdEnhVi-TpI/AAAAAAAAAKw/fUTahSWZvck/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 224px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 333px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtU_9oxVC0/TdEnhVi-TpI/AAAAAAAAAKw/fUTahSWZvck/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtU_9oxVC0/TdEnhVi-TpI/AAAAAAAAAKw/fUTahSWZvck/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a></div>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2250788858091598895.post-81852772364634184682011-05-11T09:54:00.000-07:002011-05-11T09:54:28.949-07:00Water, Morning and Foster Feathers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49yycnOGDbc/Tcq95UAhp6I/AAAAAAAAAKs/UoJr_ebgIso/s1600/water+drop.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49yycnOGDbc/Tcq95UAhp6I/AAAAAAAAAKs/UoJr_ebgIso/s200/water+drop.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a water problem. Not just a little water problem, but a BIG water problem. We were going to renovate our bathroom. We knew there had been some leakage behind the tiles around the bathtub. We just didn't know how MUCH leakage or how MUCH damage has been caused because of it. Hubby pulled up the floor last week in front of the tub as the tile had broken and the wood underneath was rotting. I just had the restoration company in this morning and the water comes out into the hallway, the wall is WET up to three feet (according to the moisture meter) and who knows what's behind the tub as it's still in there..... and there's MOULD - LOTS OF MOULD - you can smell it - Yuck! The fellow said that there could be a very slow leak, which could have been going on for up to 10 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's a little bit stressful not knowing what's involved with fixing a problem of this scope. We will be getting a detailed estimate, of course, but the fellow said roughly $4,000-$5,000 JUST TO TAKE EVERYTHING APART and fix it. Then it will cost more to actually get a new tub/surround, fittings, flooring, etc. Hubby was going to do it himself, but because it's so much worse than what we thought, he just doesn't have the time. We are going to have to bite the bullet because the mould, now that it's exposed, is now a health issue. Insurance doesn't cover it either. They will only cover "sudden and accidental", not a slow, insidious leak over many years. :-(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the subject of morning, I am again becoming the morning person that I once was. Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December, 2008, it seems like it's been a struggle to get out of bed every single morning. Well, when I was diagnosed, I immediately stopped being able to sleep. The doctor prescribed a sleeping pill - the mildest one available. Let me back track a bit here.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chemo will send some women into premature menopause - this seems to have been the case with me. Good in some ways, others - not so much. Two of the not-so-nice things are the hot flashes and the insomnia. The sleeping pill helps most of the time with the insomnia. There is little that can be done with the hot flashes - suck it up and get on with it! The insomnia I've been experiencing can be caused by menopause - it's one of the side-effects. I am also on a drug called Tamoxifen, which lowers the recurrence of breast cancer by up to 76% over five years. This is a wonder drug of sorts, an old drug, but it's not without its own side effects. Hot flashes, bone pain and insomnia, to name a few. So, I'm fighting the insomnia on two possible different levels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, one little sleeping pill does help me to sleep. I've been wanting to wean myself off of the sleeping pills, so about 4 months ago, I started breaking them in half and only taking a half pill at bedtime. Still works for me pretty well. On Saturday night, I started cutting the half pill into another half, so now only take a quarter of a pill. Well, surprise - I started dreaming again. Apparently, sleep meds do not allow your brain to hit REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, so you DON'T dream. My dreams the past few nights have been very vivid and it's obvious I haven't dreamed in a very long time. I also am waking before my alarm at 5:45 a.m., which I did all my life until the cancer hit and then I was stressed by that and on the different medications since then. I was then dragging my butt out of bed, and having to lay down again once the kids left for the bus. Today I feel good. It's early still, and I feel good and not like I'm dragging my butt and wanting to go back and lie down. It's the sleep meds. There are so many side effects of drugs. It's so nice to be able to enjoy morning again. It felt horrible not to be able to enjoy the morning as I had before cancer came to visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On to foster feathers. I currently have two extra foster birds and one of my own birds that I re-homed last year is also returning. It's difficult some days as two extra cages (it will be THREE shortly) does make a difference. There's also the extra dishes to fill when making breakfast and supper, which involve cooking and chopping. Extra cages to clean, too. It all takes time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am blessed that I am a stay-home-mom and have the time to care for the birds, as the kids are now in middle and high school. I wasn't able to foster for a few years, but now I can again and it's nice to be able to help out. There is a season for everything in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am enjoying the busy-ness of life again. It reminds me that I am well again. Halleluia!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qlpe5cM8LE/Tcq8LCtFlwI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7Q6kYFWLnnw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qlpe5cM8LE/Tcq8LCtFlwI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7Q6kYFWLnnw/s1600/SIGNATURE.jpg" /></a>Birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05854874008636849236noreply@blogger.com1