Monday, February 28, 2011

SMILING

My summer rainbow.
I woke up smiling, in a ‘powerful good mood’, as my sister used to say. There is no particular reason that I can think of. Maybe I had sweet dreams; I can’t recall any of them. Instead of stumbling out of bed immediately as I usually do, I lay snuggled in the warmth of the blankets, enjoying the soft breeze from the fan, feeling it gently blow over my face and through my hair.

Yes, I did remember that today is February 28th, the limit date to remit Summaries and T-4’s to the government; a hectic day in the best of times. A morning that, in past years, would have me hit the floor running. I can’t put my finger on why I am so calm, or why I am even taking the time to sit and write this post. One thing for sure, I’m certainly enjoying the feeling, and hoping it will last.

Could it have been the events of the weekend that brought it on? Saturday was mostly spent cooking up a feast for the visit of my Cuban friends. It’s an activity that I love, and the meal was tasty, the company fun, and I even managed to catch the HABS’ win in the midnight replay. On Sunday I cheerfully banged around in the kitchen, doing the mountain of dishes to the beat of AC/DC, while Grump watched on happily, certain that some of the leftovers would end up in his dish. Helen dropped in for her portion, and my grandson grinned as I carried a few downstairs and deposited them on his table. Life was good.

It’s has been snowing for a couple of hours already, and the prediction is for freezing rain later this afternoon. Not the best rush hour weather, but I know I need to be at the office, so I’ll jump in the shower and be on my way.

If any of you suddenly experience a warm, peaceful moment during the next few hours, it’s may be the result of my attempt to cyber-share my present feeling. If you look closely, you will see my SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

WINDOWS AND HOT-TUBS

I have a window beside my Jacuzzi, and often I’ll open it when I’m lazing in the warm water jets; it gives me the outdoor hot-tub experience without having to walk through the snow in bare feet. Last night, however, I completely forgot to close it when the bath was done. Later, snuggled comfortably under my warm blankets, I slept straight through, not waking up even once to put wood on the fire.

This morning saw me dancing hip-hop, trying to pull on my slippers and fluffy housecoat simultaneously, all the while grumbling at Grump-puppy because he hadn’t reminded me to close the darned window. He was lying flat out on the couch, but raised his head to throw a glance in my direction before totally ignoring his scatter-brained mistress, even when I threatened unreasonably that the extra cost of the next heating bill could be coming out of HIS food budget!

The fire is roaring again, my coffee is hot, and things are slowly warming up in here. My Cuban friends are coming for supper tonight, so when I can stop shivering enough to write, I’ll complete my grocery list and drive into town for my errands. There’s some housework to be done (when is there not??), but the central vacuum canister is just outside my grandson’s door downstairs, so I’ll wait until he’s awake before giving the floors a lick and a promise. Not even healthy, young lads, no matter how late they get to bed, can sleep through that kind of noise.

Chicken Parmesan and creamy fettuccini are on the menu for tonight. There are also frijoles (black bean soup), the usual dish when these friends come to visit, and my daughter’s delicious cauliflower/broccoli sunflower salad recipe; all ingredients that tend to cause certain ‘gases’ in the digestive system. That’s okay – I’ll be sending them home before ‘cause and effect’ starts to happen, LOL!

With that said, it’s time for me to get moving. Tonight I’ll be surrounded by good friends, good food, and lively Spanish music, so you can be sure I’ll be SMILING. I’m sending one out to you all – hope it adds to your weekend!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

CALLING GROUND-CONTROL


The hill doesn't look steep here, but it is! If the zoom on my camera was any good, you could see evidence of my crash-landing site at the bottom!!

Monday morning:

Last night I screwed up. I knew it was dangerously iced out there, and most people can’t even drive up my hill, but …there was my toboggan, there was the lovely, crisp, starry winter sky, and there was Grump encouraging me to come and play outdoors. I did. The result was an exhilarating scoot…ummm…a very RAPID scoot – a scoot only professional bobsled drivers should be attempting. The end was far from graceful. At least this time Grump was smart enough to step aside and let me crash-land by myself, so I’m the only one limping. I’m also sporting a huge bruise on my upper arm, the little finger on my right hand feels mashed and, although it is hidden by my hair, there is a good sized lump on my head. Fortunately the toboggan is okay. Losing my weight, it airily leapt the snow bank and kept on going. Traitor!

I won’t be doing that again anytime soon. The kids are right. My neighbors are not close enough to hear me yell if I get hurt, and none of the dogs are Lassie, or even the Littlest Hobo, who would run to get help. My absence would be noticed the next day only. I’m always dressed warmly, but I’m not into testing how the thermal clothing stands up to a full night lying in the snow. Lesson learned.

Tuesday morning:

I finally got a note from Kilroy. He’s at home, but has just started going downstairs where his computer is situated. I know he’ll be busy right now too, because he does income tax for several friends – looks like I’ll have to get by without reading his blog for awhile yet, sigh.

It’s a beautiful, sunny day here, but very cold. When I hear the fans running in my living room and garage, I run to carry up armloads of wood for the fireplace. There’s this picture in my head of $$$ floating right out the window. Unless I keep the fires going, this place costs a fortune to heat in frisky weather. My son was to come and put in insulation where needed, but he is so busy with his two jobs and three boys (which is WHY he needs two jobs, LOL). I’m considering taking a home renovation course – there would be lots of things I could do myself if I get the know-how. Besides, it would be interesting. Now, the eternal quest…to find the time!

I’ve been talking to Cricket (this for my Blog-it friends) and she gave me permission to post her site. Here it is: , and I have no idea if I transferred it the right way. She writes fantastic poetry, and my, but that lady is a born comedian. I was so happy when she contacted me on ‘Chat’ and was trying to respond to her when…. cyber disaster!! Actually, it was a hardware problem; my remote thingy for my keyboard and mouse died. Bang! Just like that! There are no batteries for the setup I had, and as I watched my screen, where Cricket was asking me if she’d lost me, there was total frustration that I could not answer her to explain what had happened!! Panic! Another indication of how attached we have become to this most popular method of communicating. It was late, the stores were closed, and that was it. But wait! I had my Blackkberry! It can’t take calls out here in the bush, but text messages get through. I sent the message to Cricket via text, and made plans to go shopping for new equipment the next morning. This was done (obviously), and I’m reconnected. Relief! Geez – how did we ever manage before Bill Gate’s invention, anyway?

I’m working from home today, so will get to it. The fire is crackling, Grump is snoozing by my feet, and I’m comfy and warm in my flannel p.j.’s. Ah – but life is good, and I’m SMILING. Sending it out to you all, folks; hoping it makes you SMILE too!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Friday, February 18, 2011

SOME SLIGHT VENTING

Summer flashback, for those who are not fans of Winter.
We are head over heels in T-4’s and income tax now. I still cannot fathom how I ever got caught up in this kind of job. There is no exhilaration there; it just puts bread and butter on the table. Maybe it stems from math being one of my ‘easy’ subjects in school…but so was English composition...so how did the one I like best become my hobby, and the one I like the least my life-long work? Probably because I liked the immediate bread and butter, LOL.

It’s not the accounting part. I still enjoy putting numbers on paper and the satisfaction of balancing the columns. What is distasteful, and becoming more and more so, is the having to deal with various government ‘Gestapo’ dudes. More often than not, the ‘fontionnaire’, or in English, government office clerks, are rude, and into using all sorts of bullying tactics. Whoever leads their ‘motivation for collection’ rally was probably an enforcer for the Mafia at one time. Because I have very little patience with arrogance, more than once I have requested to speak to another agent and…you guessed it…ended up talking to one just as bad, if not worse. Often I can’t even pronounce their names, and/or have difficulty understanding their accents, which is neither English nor French, by the way. Remembering that some of MY tax dollars are paying their salaries makes my blood boil. My stress sledge hammer sends that little disc straight up to ring the bell at the top. Grrrr!

On a more positive note, Kilroy should be arriving home from the hospital today. He tells me he is walking quite well with a cane at present, and should be able to leave it aside in a short time. I’m looking forward to reading his Blog again; his absence screwed up my morning routine, LOL!

I have learned that my ex-partner is in more doo-doo than suspected, the traffic into and out of the city has increased enormously, and the rain is washing away all my beautiful snow!!! TGIF! Although even that isn’t much solace, seeing we also work weekends during this period of the year. Bah! Humbug!

The truth be told, I rather enjoy rain. I would like it even better if I could stay at home and curl up beside the fire with a good book...and Grump-puppy, of course. That’s not going to happen today. It’s off to the city I go, and I’d better get a move on if I want to make it to the office at a decent hour. I’m popping a few vitamins (took your advice for Vitamin D), promising a woeful-looking Grump that I’ll be back soon (he doesn’t believe me anymore), then hitting the road.

Have a great day, folks! In spite of my venting, I’m SMILING, and encourage you to do the same. It’s the best thing to warm a wet day!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Monday, February 14, 2011

SHUT UP!!


Part of my driveway
I think I may have to move…or at least stay out of sight for a bit. I’ve been lamenting publically that there is not enough snow this year. My Demons paid attention. The past week has left us with many inches of that beautiful white stuff, and now even my children are warning me to ‘Shut the #*%& up!!’ LOL! It seems that there are very few people in my immediate area who share my appreciation of real Canadian winters.

It was a quiet, working weekend for me. I drove into the city early yesterday morning to meet a client, and then toiled at the office until about noon. There were some errands to run afterwards, but my truck was so grimy with muck and sand that it was a feat of athletic ability just to get in and out of it without transferring a good part of the dirt to my hands and clothes. I decided to swing by the local carwash on the chance that, with our temperatures being warmer than normal, it would be open. It was, so I paid my dues (thinking all the while of FSI), and no longer had to rely on contortion antics….plus I felt much better driving around in a clean vehicle.

My grandson was home for his days off, but the poor tyke’s old car died on him, and is now a part of the scrap yard. His pride and joy, a built-up Honda Civic, is stored for the season in my garage, and he had purchased a ‘beater’ with which to boot around. Fortunately there was a buddy following him on the lake road; it would have been quite a walk in the middle of a cold night. Being our easy-going Fred, he brushed off the event with a shrug and a grin, telling me there are ‘other used cars on the market’. In the meantime, he seems to have no trouble finding rides, although most of them can’t make it up my driveway hill. They park at the bottom and climb to the house, lugging hockey equipment and backpacks without complaint. The magic of youth!

I expect I’ll be doing the job from home today. It has been snowing since yesterday afternoon, and shows no sign of letting up. Because of The Weather Network’s predictions, I had stuffed my case full of papers before leaving the office – plus what I picked up from the client. There’s plenty to keep me busy…as long as the hydro holds out. And if it doesn’t?

Well...I have a warm, crackling fire, enough light to read, and a doggie to cuddle...and a toboggan waiting in the garage if that hill gets too tempting….so whaddya think?

Yep…I’m SMILING!! Sharing it with y’all!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

THE LOOK


It was late. I watched the hockey game (or should I call it a bad replay of The Fight Club?) between Boston and the HABS, and had already turned on the water and poured in the bath beads, preparing my Jacuzzi. Grump was right behind me, dogging every move I made. After nearly tripping over him for the umpteenth time, I told him to MOVE, get out of my way, and my tone was sharp. He obeyed; slumped over to the fireplace and flopped himself down on the mat. That’s when he gave me his version of The Look!

Now, it was always Bud who was a master of The Look. Anytime he felt the need to direct it towards me, it was a mixture of arrogance (How dare you talk to me that way!) and derision (You need the exercise more than I do, chump!).

Grump’s character puts a different spin on The Look. The accusation in his eyes speaks volumes (You left me here alone all day!)…then there’s the pleading (Aw, come on. You promised…you are not playing fair…Boring!!!). And, of course, the guilt always does me in.

Reluctantly deciding that I could add more hot water later, I left the bath sitting and pulled on my heavy winter clothes and boots. We were only halfway down the driveway when Louka joined us, and together the three of us meandered to the end of my property, and then turned left to climb the snow-covered dirt road. It goes up, and up and up, before taking a curve and running deep into the bush. It was a beautiful but cold night; the stars were numerous, with only wisps of clouds here and there in the dark sky. The recent snowfall did wonderful things to the fir trees surrounding us, and we inhaled that special, complete silence of a winter’s night in the country.

The dogs were practically invisible up ahead of me; only by focusing on shadowy movements as they sniffed from one snow bank to another could I tell that they were still there. I called out to warn them that I was starting homeward. We had been walking for twenty minutes or so and, in spite of enjoying it fully, I had an early morning ahead of me so wanted to get back. They came racing past me, Grump stopping just for a second to nose my hand on his way through. I laughed aloud, happy that I had fallen into his guilt-trap. I was even happier when we reached the top of the hill and saw what waited for me there.

The view was incredible! A clear, lemon-quarter moon hung in the black sky, its bright glow drawing silver linings on a set of fluffy clouds hovering just below. My house, situated high on the other hill in front of us, the outdoor lights along the gallery twinkling sporadically through the tree branches, had become a castle, floating right up there too. I stopped in my tracks, holding my breath, fearing that the mystical vision would vanish before I could get my fill. I was vaguely aware that the dogs had returned to sit quietly, one on each side of me, searching for whatever had made me so attentive. It was another magic moment.

Later, relaxing in the bubbling aroma of lilac scented water, I relived the awesome scene. If it hadn’t been for Grump giving me The Look, I’d have missed out. I glanced over to where he was curled up in front of the fire. He seemed to sense my gaze, and he lifted his head to stare back at me. Was his expression saying “I told you so”?

Maybe, but we both know that I’m not a sore loser. I toasted him with my wine glass, and we both SMILED.

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

S L O W L Y


Grump...not a happy doggie

Finally! The laptop is returned to its box and ‘for emergency only’ status, and there is a decent, new-used desk top computer flexing its muscles in my home office. The turbulent weather is screwing up the satellite, and keeping the machine from showing its full potential, but I have full confidence that we shall get along just fine! AND it has speakers now too – so let the music play!! And let this lady remember to do backups…just in case.

Today, at 5:00 PM, the bank deposited the money in my account. I will take the necessary steps tomorrow to transfer it to my Company, and it will be with great pleasure that I distribute delayed pay cheques to the employees…. myself included! A couple of my clients also showed up at the office and paid their invoices, so things are looking up!

More good news – Grump is beginning to eat again. I’ve been practically force feeding him since Bud’s passing; he was that depressed. The long walks at night help too, I’m sure….and the extra cuddles.

You see, Grump was more my friend’s dog than mine. He was already having some difficulty in accepting the disappearance of his master; he seemed to be still looking for him with every car that drove nearby. It’s no wonder that the second loss knocked him for a loop, poor thing. We’ve had to console each other now, and I think he has come to realize that I need him as much as he needs me. We have grown much closer in the past 2 weeks and, because Bud is not there to steal the show, I am beginning to discover qualities in this younger pit that I had never noticed…or maybe I was just not paying so much attention. Bud filled such a huge chunk of my heart, and Grump was forever the obedient follower. I have begun to appreciate his solid but unassuming character and his sense of play. As Pat_B commented, we are s l o w l y getting back to normal.

It looks like my Demons have returned – snow is falling and falling and I’m delighted! If we are going to have winter, let it be a real winter!! It was beautiful walking outside last night. I couldn’t resist pulling out my toboggan and going for a scoot down my driveway hill. Grump got a little excited in his chasing, and we ended up head-over-tea-kettle when we reached the bottom, LOL! I won’t dare mention it to my kids, but both of us were limping slightly as we gasped our way back up to the house. Nothing the Jacuzzi couldn’t fix for me, and Grump was no worse for wear within the hour, so all is well.

We are entering tax season, and hopefully it will be so busy that I’ll be complaining by the end of April. I intend to do my best to write at least a short post each day, no matter how many hours I work, but we all know how that can turn out! I do promise (and this especially for Karen) that I’ll do my best to come in and make a little noise, no matter what my mood. At least now that my windows are safe. My laptop came SOOO close to being hurled through them on more than one occasion!

Wishing you all sweet dreams, folks, and hoping the huge SMILE I am cyber-spacing out to you will help them along!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

Saturday, February 5, 2011

ON OUR WAY BACK.


I know I have survived weeks much harder than these past two, but they are way up there in sh*tty. The house seems so damned empty without Bud, and Grump is definitely depressed, and has to be coaxed to eat. I’m trying to wait it out, hoping he’ll perk up soon. Getting another dog to keep him company would help, but that would mean staying at home while the newbie could adapt to us. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise. I don’t have the time at the moment, nor the desire. It’s still too soon.

The bank finally came through, although we won’t touch the money until sometime next week. I push the thought of ‘too little, too late’ as far back in my thoughts as I can. How could I not? The employees are still there, working without complaint, after 5 weeks without salary. Incredible!

It does add to the pressure; I feel I need to make it work out just to prove that their confidence in me is justified. The bright note is that I usually do my best work under pressure. Time will tell.

One hard lesson learned is that we’ve been spoiling our clients too long. Instead of accepting promises of long overdue payment, they were warned this week that nothing will be done until their delinquent accounts are up to date....and I meant it this time. The desks are piled with files, all waiting on cheques to be delivered as agreed, which is to be Monday. No more excuses will be tolerated. It’s actually perfect timing; all the companies are obliged to remit the T-4’s for tax season before the end of this month. The only way to get them is through us, and that’s NOT going to happen unless we are paid. So there!! I imagine there are a few ‘delicate’ words being used to describe my attitude right now, LOL!

On the up side...we finally got snow! It is beautiful in the bush. Each night Grump and I take long walks down the laneway and through the heavy laden trees. It is the only time he becomes his perky self, racing away ahead, then back to me, sniffing for whatever in the high banks, staking his territory. Sometimes we are joined by the beautiful Louka, and Sally, the neighbour’s Rottweiler, who is Grump’s girlfriend. Those walks are the best therapy; we all thoroughly enjoy them.

The HABS are playing this afternoon, then later I will pick up my brother and we will share a supper with my Cuban friends. I won’t stay there too long; it’s hard enough on Grump to be alone while I’m working, so I try to stick around home much as possible on the week nights and during the weekend. Tomorrow I do have to go into the office for awhile, but want to get back for another HABS’ game, then the Superbowl. I no longer dance when a goal is scored. Grump lifts his ears when I yell my hurrahs; he’s probably waiting for me to stand up and do my little jig, but I’m not ready for that yet. I know it will come, but my heart isn’t into it right now. Bud was the better dance partner...

Kilroy is still in the hospital, and I’m missing his blogging, but I have much reading in Blogit to catch up on, and that’s always a rewarding experience. I have a couple of errands to run (with Grump riding shotgun!), then I’ll get back to enjoying the posts, and you can be sure I’ll be SMILING as I do so. Sending one your way, with wishes for great day!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.