LOOKING FOR CAESAR.

(This photo is courtesy of Photobucket. I still haven't found the adaptor for my own camera to show you the real Louka, but this doggie could be her twin)

I think my two dogs have made a pact with the neighbour’s two dogs. It used to be that Bud and Grump-puppy would only bark if someone was coming up the driveway and, believe me, they have lots of time to warn me before the intruder reaches the house. Ditto for the hounds across the road. Now, however, if anyone even turns into one yard or the other, the whole four of them raise voice. It has been happening since the beautiful Louka moved in. Not only does she run the show and initiate the squabbles, she also wanders around at night, or sits howling, and gets everybody going when the humans (her servants) are trying to sleep. She’s not into obeying orders; neither those of her master, nor those of the lady who gives her treats (me). A typical husky mix, she believes in doing pretty well what she wants whenever she wants. Ah, Caesar – where are you when we need you??

Speaking of the famous dog-whisperer, he held an event last week at the Bell Center in Montreal, the home of my Canadiens. I missed it (there was a hockey game going on elsewhere) but have heard attendees rave that it was spectacular. The man is not only an expert on canines; it seems he can also put on quite a show. I’m having regrets now. I really should have talked Louka’s master into dragging that gorgeous beast into Caesar’s presence, and maybe everyone around here would have an easier time of it. Don’t get me wrong. I admire a dog with character – just not when its character is stronger than mine! If Louka was human, I strongly suspect that she’d be in the Paris Hilton group, or maybe competition for Lindsay Lohan. Still, one can’t help but love her. She is such a cuddly doggie. A gentle wave of her bushy tail with the sincere, apologetic look from her expressive eyes and we're all convinced to overlook her shenanigans.

My first weekend in November was relatively quiet, especially compared to those of October, where my house was filled with family and friends. I mostly cleaned, just taking time out to meet my ex-associate for an hour, once more to discuss our situation. I regretted the move afterwards, even if it was a necessary evil. The enormous pressure he is under is wearing on him, and his trumped-up excuses cut deep into any respect I still feel for him. It ended with my realizing that he is scrambling, doing and saying anything and everything to avoid paying what he owes. After I walked away, I sat in my truck for at least 20 minutes, analysing what, if anything, was left of our relationship. I discovered that I felt only pity for what has become an extremely sorry excuse for a friend.

But.....

Mother Nature afforded us a sunny, pleasant temperature on the day we turned back our clocks. The Weather Network assures me that the whole week to follow will be similar. Sunshine AND an extra hour of sleep?? Now, how can that not make me SMILE?

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

BANKS AND CLICHÉS

My bank was waiting on me with ‘une brique et un fanal’. The expression translates into English as ‘a brick and a spot-light, or lantern’. It means that the bank was expecting me, and they were NOT happy, so I was NOT well received. This is the fourth time there has been a problem, they stated, so the privilege of direct deposit from my business account is discontinued. Not only does it affect the pays of my employees, but it was also a service offered to other clients, for which they paid, and which I can no longer sell at the moment…so money lost. The bank official was very sympathetic, but very firm. It doesn’t matter who or why – the account is in my company’s name, so my company is ultimately responsible. I can’t say I was surprised. I had warned my ex-associate that it could happen, that his deposits had to be on time. Once again, it was late, and short.

I realize that he is wrapped up in his own dilemma. I repeat again – I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. However, when I gave him the news, he didn’t even apologize. Not that it would fix anything, but it would at least let me know he is aware that his actions, although not completely in his control, are causing me havoc too. Instead, he continued talking about something else; maybe because, even knowing that his hands are tied, I stressed that it was HIS fault. I couldn’t stop myself from saying it; my feelings were running so high at the time. I’m sure he already felt bad, and didn’t need the extra little push from my side. I abhor kicking a man when he’s down, but damn it! I still think he should have said ‘I’m sorry’!!

Okay – enough said. More clichés can describe this fiasco: two wrongs don’t make a right, and it’s no use crying over spilled milk. One just has to be more careful in the future. Another lesson learned. It will take some time, but we shall build things back up and make my bank smile again. Quite fickle, are our banks. It doesn’t matter how the money is obtained – deposit it with them and they are happy, happy!

With a change of subject, my niece missed her flight this morning. We left for the airport quite early, but the rush hour was particularly dense. She managed to book another that was leaving 3 hours later, and is now back in NB. My whole family, especially my bro, is still glowing from her visit!

Speaking of my bro, his appointment at the hospital was faster. The doctor prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia, and Champex, a cease-smoking aid. He mentioned a meeting to be held with his colleagues where they’ll try to find a way of repairing the hole in my bro’s throat. The hole, caused by radiation treatments, allows food particles to go down into the lungs when he swallows, therefore the lungs are continually susceptible to infection. We’ll be advised further when we return for the lung scan in November.

Now, believe it or not, it is only 8:00 PM and I can feel Morpheus lurking around the corner. He has impeccable timing tonight. Is it the near-full moon, I wonder? I need to rise very early to complete the work on a project for the office, so will bid you sweet dreams, slip into my warm, bubbly Jacuzzi, and grab that Morpheus tight before he disappears. If he sticks around for awhile, you can be sure I’ll be SMILING!

Nite y’all!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

THE MEETING

It’s 5 AM. The elusive Morpheus didn’t stick around very long. Maybe he was carried away on those strong winds I hear blowing outside. The doggies decided they might as well go out, seeing that I was up anyway. When I opened the door I noted that the air is quite warm. It’s still too early for Indian summer, isn’t it? Doesn’t that usually happen in mid or late October? I don’t believe we’ve had the first killing frost…or maybe I just didn’t notice. It could have happened during one of the rare times I actually slept longer than 4 hours in a row.

Most of the day yesterday was spent on the telephone (for business purposes), which meant that I hardly made a dent in the huge boxes of files I had carried home. I did meet the client though, then stopped in at my daughter’s house just in time to join her for supper. She enjoyed her visit to Las Vegas, mostly because of the Cirque de Soleil show she attended, but said she wouldn’t bother returning there, the scare on the airplane aside. None of my family is very awed by ‘glitter and glamour’. Put us beside a lake or an ocean or at the hockey arena, or throw a huge family party, and we’re happy.

My associate arrived very late from his out-of-town meeting. I could tell he was tired, and offered to reschedule our appointment, but I think he was just as anxious to clear the air as I was. We have been friends for a long time, and neither of us wanted to lose that part. He understood what I was saying, and the reasoning behind it, and agreed that the changes were necessary. He even offered some good suggestions to make things easier. I did note that he had more information than I had bestowed, which tells me there is someone in my office who is not respecting confidentiality. From his slip, I knew immediately who it was. That ‘someone’ will be told later today to pack up and leave by the end of next week. There is no room in our new organisation for a blabbermouth (my grandma’s terminology), or someone who plays both sides of the fence in an attempt save his own butt at the expense of others.

I can hear Bud snoring on his cushion. The sound is so comfortable that I think I’ll try bed one more time. It would be great if I could get another hour or so of snoozing before leaving for the office. If that happens, I am SMILING! It doesn’t take much, does it? I hope your smiles come easy today too!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

THE IMPORTANT THINGS

I was getting worried. It was 9:30 PM and I still hadn’t heard from my daughter, who was supposed to arrive back from Las Vegas at 7 PM. I didn’t have the flight number, so couldn’t check on the internet for delays. When I tried to call her cellular phone, there was no answer, and her voice mail was full. I guessed I wasn’t the only one who was wondering what had happened.

There was nothing to be done but wait. Finally, around 10:30 PM, she called. Her plane had just landed. First, there was a late take-off from LA, then ‘turbulence, Mom – so bad that I was crying. I didn’t think we’d get out of it alive!!’ Like me, Shan is not crazy about flying. When one has that attitude even before boarding, any disturbance during the journey will bring the worst scenario to mind. One sort of hopes all will be well, but subconsciously expects the worst to happen. She told me she enjoyed Las Vegas, but I have the feeling it will be awhile before she decides to fly anywhere again.

I’m working from home today, but later this morning have to see a client not far from Shan’s home. I’ll make a point of stopping in to give her a huge hug. I absolutely refuse to think of the call I could have received…and once again say Thank You for my blessings. The most meaningful things in my life are still there; anything else is extra, and can be negotiated.

One of my associates got in touch with me very early this morning too. We are to meet later this afternoon. My decision for dissolving the companies we share has been made, and the necessary paperwork started. It has been discussed more than once, but he either was not listening, or refuses to entertain the fact that it is going to happen. Maybe the difference in my attitude these past few days is more convincing. Whatever. The meeting may not be pleasant, but is sure to be interesting.

Okay, back to the grind I go. Coffee break is over and, although the computer allows me to work in my p.j.’s, I don’t think the client I am to meet would be so accommodating, LOL! Unfortunately, I need to get dressed.

Hope your day is awesome, folks. SMILE as often as you can; it is something we can all do for no reason at all!! I’m wearing mine now as I send you my

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB

It was late enough when I got to bed last night. Bow & Yoshiko stopped in around 10:30 PM to pick up my “Diable” and straps, and I don’t even know what it’s called in English. It’s a steel contraption on 2 wheels used to move heavy articles. The kids purchased a BBQ – must be large enough – because they needed the “Diable” to unload it from the truck. It was a ‘come ‘n gone’ visit, taking all of 10 minutes, LOL. I read for an hour or so, then slipped into sleep, the fans running merrily. I woke at 1:00 AM to no hydro…therefore no fans, then nothing but tossing and turning in the heat, 15 minute snoozes here and there until everything came back on at 5 AM. When it was time to get up and at it. Hummm…one of those nights. It’s raining out there now. I can practically hear the grass growing; Kilroy won’t be the only one with a lawn to mow this weekend!

One of my associates came to the office yesterday. The girls had already started cleaning their desks, so it was rather quiet. He didn’t have anything good to say about the employees, which seems to be the way when in his position. (I can write that here – none of them even know I have a blog, let alone read it.) I listened, but understood why and where he was coming from, so just let him rant without me showing much reaction. Any comment would have just added fuel to the fire. He hasn’t been sleeping much either…and no darned wonder!!! My position is bad enough, but his is a lot worse. If we’re calling a spade a spade, it could be said that he put us all there, yet that’s beside the point. We can’t fault someone for trying, and he’s making every effort to get out of the mess. However, I intend to use the weekend to decide to what extent I’ll hang on for the ride. I won’t throw it over completely, of course. One doesn’t do that to a partner…or a friend, when trouble rears its head. I’ll help as much as is feasible, but I AM stepping back from some of his methods. I don’t need the headache that will surely follow. I can use my changing decades this weekend as an excuse – i.e. I’m too old for this, LOL!

Now that I’ve mentioned the ‘decade’ thing, the big birthday bash for my son & I is being held tomorrow at my daughter’s house. I love these parties – all the young couples bring their little children and we watch them jump in and out of the pool, run around yelling and playing; reminding us what fun it is to be alive! Shan is leaving the next morning for a week holiday in Republic Dom., so we’ll do our best to help her clean up at the end of it all…which usually turns out to be the next morning! If I’m not too tired (or hung-over, LOL), I’ll tell you all about it in Sunday’s blog.

Have a good one, people. Let your SMILE shine, sun or no sun. It will surely brighten someone’s day!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec