New arrival in the barn...

Our husky pup decided his collar was fair game, and slowly over a little bit of time, he bit through it, then tugged and played with it long enough, to shred it to bits, leaving the steel dog tags laying on the barn floor.

New harness in place, ready to have the evening walk

While out driving to an activity yesterday, I made the mistake (laugh) of visiting the pet supply store to purchase new (steel) collars for both pups, as well as harnesses to afford more comfort while out walking daily. That's what I browsed the store for, but with other children in tow, somehow a new vision came into their minds, and mom here was not only smitten, but gently coerced beyond the ability to deny the sense of the good and humble idea presented by them.

Of the children remaining in our home these days, three of them troddle out to the barn early each morning, afternoon and evening, to check their pets and tend to all their needs or chores in there. One of the children joins daily in the parade to the barn, though he has been disappointed about the territorial issues revolving around the animals, and that of not being given a fair chance to help out. Particularly he's mentioned several times, he doesn't have his own reason to venture out too, eager to greet the animals each new day, with the rest of the gang. His little hamster is fairly independant, sleeps all day long, and can't be walked or played with like a larger animal.

What can I say?

I smell something new in here...but I'm only a bird hunter

To the right side of the entry door of the pet supply store, a new litter of fluffy and oh so cute bunnies was on display. These were the mini lop bunnies, like the one we already have named "Floppy". They don't mind cold weather and only need protection from any cold wind, making them a perfect pet for the barn. Also, we've had a wonderful experience with our other gentle and cuddly bunny thus far, to the point where everyone marvels over just how sweet it is, even the original store owners when having its nails cut not long ago.

So, there they were, in their sweet baby bunny splendor, twinkly eyes mesmorizing the customers, certainly ready to have a new home await them all by whomever they could entice to have them. Everyone near the animal section stood over the large cage just oozing and gushing over them, mainly though a little black and white patch one had spellbound my children, such a sweet little thing of course. ("Mommy you just have to come and see this one!"), So sweet! I wasn't going to look. I knew what "could happen" if I did. But, I became weak, too weak. Pure mush!

Call it a truce I suppose. Our younger son could assist in its care, but had to be educated and must read up in the bunny manual, and for clarity purposes, it was going to be MINE, or the family's new animal if I agree, therefore no fighting over the "sweet" baby bunny dear. (sucker me)


Save me!

Another bunny?

"But mom! We already have everything we need for it, AND, we already do the work for one, so another is hardly an additional problem for us!"

Introducing our new arrival;

It's a Girl!

"Moppy bunny"

I came home with two new collars and two harnesses for the dogs. I also came home with a new bunny and cage. The cage had a ladder for the bunny to visit the upper flooring and a steel hay attachment for holding its timothy hay. Also on wheels, there we were, rolling out a new cage, a bunny in a box, and a bag of goodies for the dogs. Call me a sucker, but I couldn't think of one excuse NOT to say no this time around, mostly as the children really do all the work, the barn is large and suitable for another arrival to join the menagerie, AND, this does make educational science awareness. Not only are we pursuing earth sciences, but biology comes into play naturally as the evening clerk wasn't aware of what we just purchase, a female or male, leaving us to determine that once at home all snug in the barn later. No idea if we had a Bobby bunny or a Betsy bunny at that moment!

Checking out what we had - Boy or Girl?

Hubby was home when we arrived, and naturally as you might imagine, all the children so eloquently introduced him to the new addition (scurrying into the house to fetch him screaming at the top of their lungs), much to dad's surprise of course.

Someone else is so excited to meet this new baby

The mission of the moment was to create the new home for the wee bunny, tend to the chores of dinner for the animals, then walk the dogs. As the older children placed the new harnesses on and were preparing their pups for their evening walk, the husky was sensing something already, so while being led through the barn to the doorway, she noticed the new cage and spotted the bunny. She bolted in a different direction from where she was heading, and was immediately next to the new cage, excited with tail wagging in full speed, sniffing, placing her nose up against the cage with the bunny leaning against the cage steel wall, and try as our son wanted to, his dog not wanting to depart from it, almost scaring the bunny to bits. These bunnies are "dinner" for this kind of pup, though she's now used to "Floppy" and hardly sniffs or bothers him anymore. Perhaps it helps growing up together in the same surroundings, but the reaction of the new arrival sent her into orbit.

So sweet and fluffy

After an evening in her new home, Floppy was bounding crazy all over his cage wanting to meet this lovely gal. Today while out of his cage bouncing about on the barn floor play area, then out in the dog's pen when they were locked inside for a bit, both bunnies were getting familiar with one another on the floor, eyeball to eyeball. Did I say this was great biology? But, of course, when the younger daughter comes in announcing the boy really, really liked the girl because of a peculiar way he was reacting while around her. Apparently they danced the bunny dance, jumping over each other and happy as can be. Perhaps this was a mating thing....but then she said; "Mommy he just had to go to the bathroom is all.(??)"

Need I say more? No worries though, there won't be too many more moments together socializing, or we'll have a bunny population problem!

Floppy, please meet and be nice to baby Moppy

That's it!

As of today, all my shopping from this day forward will be done alone, or online! *snicker, snicker*

Spirit Bears In The City

Okay, maybe we’ve been out of the loop for plenty of months now, and admittedly we sure had great fun adventuring around areas of the city spotting "bears" all over (!) in various popular locations, people mingling around, likely as we were, wondering what the heck they were there for!

Once we were actually able to walk about and catch a glimpse at the information for their purpose on the plaques mounted in between their big burly feet, we began pointing them out, those “Spirit Bears in the city”, conversation fixtures all about town.

Of the 114 bears lovingly named, created and enhanced by local artists, these will all be placed up for a grand auction fundraiser (see below), with all proceeds deposited into the “Lion’s Children’s Charities”. This was exciting news to us, as we have a nephew and niece who have greatly benefited by the Easter Seal housings in both Vancouver and Edmonton!

This is hardly a paid endorsement, but as sightseeing people, it was most enjoyable seeing those bears we did, then we noted the online web address to view the rest.

All the information for the auction itself, the artists involved et al, is detailed and noted on this website HERE!

A photo index of all the bears are HERE!

In front of the hotel – Nazzy Bear!!!

We invite you to browse the site and perhaps get involved in this special cause for children. Here are more details below;

Spirit Bears in the City -

COME ONE, COME ALL TO THE GREATEST SPIRIT BEAR AUCTION OF ALL!

We are very excited to announce 'The Great Spirit Bear Auction & Gala'. Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 and get ready to come to the greatest party of the year and raise your 'paws' to bid on some amazing Kermode Spirit Bears. This will be your chance to own one of these majestic pieces of artwork so truly unique to the British Columbia's northern forests.

The Great Spirit Bear Auction & Gala will take place at The Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina. Approximately 30 'Spirit Bears' from the Greater Vancouver and Whistler areas will be auctioned live by Barry Scott of Maynards Auctioneer House. The remainder of the Bears will be auctioned at other gala events across the province and online. Proceeds raised from the Vancouver auction will benefit the BC Lions Society's Easter Seal Services and the Canucks For Kids Fund.

We're giving you lots of time to gather together your colleagues, friends, and sponsored artist(s) and book your table for what is sure to be a sold-out event. Tickets may be purchased for:

Individual Tickets @ $150 each
Table (10) people @ $1500/table

How can I tell thee ?

How is it possible to share our great week’s “working vacation” out west within this blog, without first making mention of the excitement churning deep in our bellies in the weeks prior to our arrival. Once “the eagle landed” though, other emotions began to surface, sometimes an absolute sinking feeling, as we fell into a deep emotional abyss within the core of our souls, while spending our limited time with family and friends. The range of emotions were seemingly endless, the memories though, always grand!

Our week began with a full day of travel, reaching our destination in time for the curtain of darkness falling gently over us three hours after we were used to our usual sunset timing. The sun shone the whole way while soaring high above the clouds, so what could be more terrific, than having three extra hours to be thankful for it?

Having planned the trip around some particulars booked on our calendars to get back west for, details, gatherings, activities, must do lists, all mounted up to the point of having to type it out as a ready-refernce each and every day while there.

Our first day of travel began at 5am Eastern time, with a release of speed for a major flight delay in the air, while circling south around a major thunder storm. We almost missed our connecting flight boarding immediately, then realized our time departing was ridiculous with 32 aircrafts ahead of us in line, and 22 behind us waiting like we were. Amazing traffic jam really!

After arriving to our final destination, our driving began, then the lousy luck of finding out someone’s luggage next to ours had something explode in it, filling its scent into one of our suitcases with such a toxic smell, everything was almost ruined and needed immediate attention after arriving at our resting point for the evening. Unanticipated timing for a much longer evening occurred to air everything out, place the nasty smelling suitcase on the outside porch overnight, then hoping all would dissipate by early the next morning. Crashing the night at one of the older daughter’s home, once settled our sleep came easy. What was it, 2:00am our time? Not bad huh? Up for 21 hours? Yikes!

Admittedly, the first two mornings after our arrival, our eyeball sockets were beginning to feel the discomfort never experienced before. Amazingly, we somehow made it through a Sunday sermon the day after arriving and though our eastern time however had us all awake at a rather early hour on Pacific time; it felt as though our noon hour had crept in surely somewhere around 7am, therefore we sneaked away for a glorious cup of coffee (or hot chocolate), with a relaxing newspaper reading perusal, at the local Starbucks, thoroughly enjoyed by all. The sun was shining; the air crisp, and already we’d circled past the old neighborhood. It was already proving to be the beginning of a great week! Contentment filled our hearts as we anticipated many reunions ahead.

The week’s scheduling roared by, fast and furious, visits were sometimes all too short and sweet with our limited timing, however they remain very memorable, and so very precious to us. Our family and special friends were able to remain at the top of our super insane long list, and we’re all so very pleased to have had our time with all of you. To those we missed seeing, we send our heartfelt apologies, but please let me assure you; there was just no way to add anything else in the schedule this time around. But we have plans for you; just you wait until Canada post comes around very soon. *wink*

Highlights of our trip were many!

How can I ever list them all here?

I’ll just go ahead and try…

• Seeing the old neighborhood and all the construction progress surrounding it

• Overdue family times together with the older three and their families

• Hugging with our adorable grandbabes when they finally warmed back up to us all again
  
• Dinners with both sets of our parents, two separate occasions, in two different cities.
  
• 
  • Meeting our daughter’s boyfriend and having a lovely breakfast with his family. Our daughter is the first girlfriend brought home, this was a new experience for his family, great people, such a fun time. Hubby even fit in having his “man to man” traditional talk with him too one evening, so surely this guy has had his initiation into our family now, from both father, and brothers...*wink*
  

• Birthday cake and singing for my father’s 75^th birthday, a milestone celebration we were happy to be there for.
  
  

• Shopping at Costco and filling cupboards up. Kids thrilled to have simple breakfast on the run, things like Cherrios before flying in ziplock bags, and occasionally before moving out quickly for our day's events and activities. Poor kids, mom hardly buys Cheerios at home, so this was a real treat. Not sure who loved them more, kids or dad?

• Snacking with my two best buddies, the two with whom I've shared many, many years of birthday celebrations with, our traditional "sister chicks" times together. We yearn for these occasions, simple but sometimes complex, whatever time we can steel away from our homes. It was a pleasure to be together, however short and sweet, the hugs were warm and always special. Thanks you two, love to you both!
  
  
• Dinner with the older ones alone, the younger ones babysitting to make this all possible. Sushi never looked so very wonderful!
  

• The grand “new tire” adventure, totally unexpected, but it had to fit in our scheduling
  

• The difficult task of finding tire information and the man rescuing the damsel in distress by saving the day...

• Shopping for shoes and getting the family discount from “M”

• Dinner with fun and fabulous out of town guests at one of our big kid’s place.
  

• Hanging around with “the boys”, the two dogs! Seeing another daughter finally able to remain near the silly pups.
  
  

• Watching the kids play soccer with buddies in the front yard at a friend’s house, rose bushes a bit harried with ball smashings though.
  
  
  

• Seeing two rolled up towels with our kid’s names noted on name tags sitting nicely on top

• Seeing familiar faces at church on Sunday

• Breakfast after mass where we were useless help and our eyeballs began to fall closed for a wee minute or five
  

• Attending a late night baseball game and whistling at the home runs

• 
• Meeting “R’s” mommy and freezing on the stands with her (laugh)

• Watching the younger ones cuddle with the grandbabes
  

• Watching little baby begin to walk and spin in her walker

• Taking pictures of kids at their work

• Tasting those sweet “Cinnabons” again! Yummy yum!

• Seeing our own “Winona Ryder’s” new haircut (snicker)

• Taking pictures and videos for future sharing
  

• Lunching with dear former neighbors, noting the old neighborhood, and missing the great people living there. Sorry we missed some of you on our visit!
  
  
• Meeting however briefly with dearest friends for a meal or a snack on the run

• Driving all over racking up miles and miles running kids around to babysit, visit or overnight with a relative or dear friend

• Squeezing in hugs whenever possible

• Sharing future plans together with family

• Waiting four patient hours for dental appointments to be completed

• Racing to many other assorted preplanned and important appointments, accomplishing much while doing so

• Watching young and old kids run around playing ball, football, dog pile and definite wrestling movements

• Watching the serious "Survivor Boathouse" DVD from last summer and watching our now famous son, host the episode to the grand finale winner - Larry!
  
  
• Experiencing life in an apartment and the noisy neighbors having a party, disciplining children in odd ways below us while trying to have a quick shut eye, listening to sirens blaring all night long, hearing bus after bus zoom by, remembering this is the sound of the city we left behind, then the older kids remarked on yearning for quiet at times. *laugh*
  

• Staying in various hotels in three different cities, one of them we'd never stay at again! *snicker*
  
  

• Sightseeing fast and furious in downtown Vancouver and on the harbor. Admiring Stanley Park, noting the construction on the future site of the large convention center, watching the busyness surrounding the cruise ships docked on the pier at the Pan Pacific Hotel/World Trade Center, and sucking back the fresh sea air. Hubby likes to feel the salt on his lips, and that he did.
  
  

• Experiencing that horrible traffic again, both to and from Vancouver and into the valley!

• Smiling while passing various locations during our travels where fond memories stood out

• Observing things people make at work when business is slow. How many elastics make up this ball?
• Having our ice cream cone ritual taken care of at our favorite dairy on a rainy day, the ONLY rainy day!

Then…

All too soon, the time out west was complete – and over

It was time to depart just six days after arrival, with another full day of travel ahead of us.

Whoosh! Our time flew by!

There are no goodbyes, simply “Until we meet again” lines only.

Love to all, thanks to all, until we meet again!