Diary published weekly since 2001
Read a different version HERE
Hi Everyone: We finally have two more 4-legged ‘kids’ in this house again. We picked them up last WEDNESDAY - they are so beautiful. Someone asked me why we do not get puppies – simple, I make a good grandma but not so hot as a mother. These two – show dog MATILDA (8-years old), and her 4-year old DAUGHTER BRATILDA have never lived anywhere but as special part time housedogs at our breeder. Carol is a breeder of award winning show dogs and Dr. Mom and Grandma too. She sometimes keeps her special babies around until the right adoptive home comes along. She has had these two slated for us when our 18-year old Maddie died 2-years ago. BUT at that point Katie did not want a buddy so all our animals would have been very unhappy if they were split up – 3-dogs is too much for us. We did that about 10 years ago and don’t wish a repeat.
Mom Matilda (8-yrs old)
Her Kid Bratilda (4-yrs old)
Although we still miss Katie big time we now have two more to fill the hole. They are so good in the car – they are still travelling in their cage, but eventually they’ll be happy just in the backseat. These two are also very quiet and extra loveable – when they are picked up they mould themselves to us. We have not left them alone as yet – probably won’t do so often until it gets too hot in the car to take them with us. I really hope to post some Picassa pictures tomorrow.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OUR WEEK HAS BEEN VERY EVENTFUL
Last MONDAY while in London for my LA check-in and running errands we got a call mid morning from great Newfi friends, Dave and Val. They were in London for a week visiting family – thankfully us too. We had so much to share because this winter these two-toured Colonial Mexico & the Baja in great detail – they ventured to the tip of that fascinating country. Hearing their stories brought many pleasant memories of our 7-years flooding back to us. They had a ball and in many ways we still miss all the fantastic experiences we enjoyed during our early RV Travels south of the USA.
An extended lunch at London’s Family Circle was a great spot to catch-up. Thanks guys for including a visit before you continue to your home in NFLD to settle down for a few months. You’ve had a superior winter and that is what matters most - till next time.
TUESDAY Park excitement was a very small FIRE IN THE PARK MODEL across from us. Birds had built a nest in an outside porch light – the shade was damaged over the winter. When the light was accidentally left in the ‘on’ position, the nest caught fire. Many neighbours brought their small extinguishers over but NO ONE knew how to use them. John grabbed our big one and we both said a prayer that is would work.
We have had this one for a while and neglectfully we hadn’t checked it, nor reversed it to keep the solution from ‘packing’. John’s Navy training re-surfaced and he was able to douse the flames. Think of the damage that could have been caused if this small fire had got away from anyone is scary. LESSONS LEARNED – routinely check the gauges on your extinguisher(s). Maybe the fire department or an extinguisher store could periodically have a look at them. None of us know when they will be needed and to have one in your RV that doesn’t work is of no value. Maybe there is a refresher course nearby
WEDNESDAY we set out on a 2-hour (one-way) trip to pick up the kids – we have dealt with Braaehaus Kennel since 1980 – Carol has a right to be proud of her quality bloodlines. To break up the trip, we stopped for a short visit with Patty and Peter Hughes our first RV Dealer in Orangeville, ON. Hughes RV 1-866-344-8944 now features an extensively stocked RV store as well as they specialize in ‘Timely White Glove RV Service’ on any type of RV. They are also a very successful consignment dealer. FYI my books are now available in their store over the summer. We picked up our new kids at noon. After a short get-acquainted visit, acquiring a few supplies plus a loner Ex-, we headed home - they were perfect angels all the way. We have a large grassy field behind our LUXOR that they love to run in. Brattie is still not comfortable ‘walking’ on a leash, but she loves to chase her mom so she is getting a lot of valuable exercise. She is a bit on the chunky side so this outside activity several times a day is good for her–us too!
THURSDAY we stayed home to ‘bond’ plus I finally got the spreadsheet for our TAXES completed. It seemed to take me forever this year and I do not know why. At any rate our accountant has it in his office. I do not know how to do the taxes so they will call us when this stage is completed. Hopefully we will get a bit of a refund in a few weeks.
FRIDAY, all four of us departed for another 2-hour drive to deliver the tax info. Spring is so beautiful. We enjoyed a lunch picnic in the Hanover Park to watch the mighty Saugeen River flow by. There was considerable water sitting in the park grassland. We used to camp at this park in our early days while we were visiting John’s Aunt Rita.
In Hanover we stopped at CINDY’S FLOWERS & GIFTS 1-800-368-8075 to pick up the Floral Saddle for the extra large Ahren’s Family headstone at the town cemetery. One more time Cindy outdid herself refurbishing last years huge display and she does it for such a very low cost. Thanks again for caring Cindy.
By the way GAS/FUEL costs fluctuate in this country as well as south of the border. On our way to Hanover we bought some at 1.19 per litre x 3.7 = $4.40 Cdn x .97 US Exch = $4.27 per gal. Still high, but less than yesterday – when we went a bit further north it was only $1.14 per litre (imagine I say only) x 3.7 = $4.21 C$ for US gal x .97 Exch = $4.09. However today in Woodstock it was $1.24 per litre so go figure – guess we just have to grin and bear it. Diesel was $1.19 today in Woodstock but not sure what it was earlier.
SATURDAY I usually begin this post early, but this morning we headed to the WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET to get some mums to border our front porch – a donation by Tina and Adrian – owners of this great park. I do not maintain flowers easily but as long as we keep them watered hopefully they will keep growing. They at least look good for today.
Tonight Braemar Valley is hosting their “WELCOME BACK PARTY”. I really want to get this post out but we also want to know our neighbours and fellow park members a bit better. So forgive me for taking the time to play a bit. If this is late you will know why.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FINAL THOUGHTS
Our busy summer has started out on a very positive track. We are really enjoying being in this park. Woodstock is rapidly growing and London is only 50 km (25 miles) away. We go into that city twice a week so I can check into LA Weightloss. I am still loosing but I’m not enjoying a rapid decrease, that’s for sure. Have a great summer everyone and we sure hope all the bad weather has gone away for good – although they are calling for a cold 3-4 days this week in our neck of the woods. Even with the high gas/fuel prices “RV Living is the Freedom Lifestyle like no other”. Find a way to get out and enjoy, P&J
No comments:
Post a Comment