tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14267490399136314602024-03-13T09:15:57.029-06:00blogging is my only vicebecomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.comBlogger377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-31683426550531257882012-09-26T11:45:00.002-06:002012-09-26T11:58:47.744-06:00it was a good month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vX-RtknvfQQ/UGM4zbh5ZcI/AAAAAAAAA-c/m_woAMu0v_k/s1600/Bethany%2Bis%2Bthe%2BBomb%2B112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vX-RtknvfQQ/UGM4zbh5ZcI/AAAAAAAAA-c/m_woAMu0v_k/s400/Bethany%2Bis%2Bthe%2BBomb%2B112.jpg" /></a></div>
September is one of my favourite months. Em goes back to school, we get into a fall routine, I start making more soups and curries, and all the new boots hit the stores. Also, some of my favourite memories of Bill took place in September, during a three day stay at my house in the beginning of our long distance relationship.
You know, any time I get annoyed by those little things he does, I just have to remember how torturous it was to be apart! I appreciate every day that we have to love and laugh.
Beth has been here for a month now, and she's adjusting well, considering our families are as different as night and day. She says she's never lived in a house with so much laughter; she finds it fascinating to watch the family dynamic and she completely fits in.
Both kids got jobs, at the same mall and just down the hall from one another, and I know that Beth is both thrilled and really nervous, as this is her first time working and the first time she's ever counted on a city bus to get around!
The other big news is that Jamie met my birth mother - and I have to say, the day I got that call, I just sat down in the living room and started shaking. It seemed like I would never have that day - to see what she looked like, to see where I get some of my traits. Bill and I were cleaning the kitchen with The Irish Descendents blasting away "Catch the Wind" when I got the text.
Jamie: OMG. I just met Penny. She jumped out of her wheelchair and hugged me...
Me: OMG! Get a pic!
Jamie: I will
Jamie: The pictures won't really show it, but HOLY SHIT you look JUST like her. Same eyes, nose, lips. Face shape and skin colour
Me: holy shit
Jamie: If you had lived really hard, and chopped off your hair, you'd be TWINS. It's freaking me out...
I didn't speak to her, but from what Jamie says, she's clean and she's living in a halfway house in Vancouver. She's helping other women get off the street, but she is still not in contact with the rest of the family.
If Jamie hadn't have gone out to visit my birth sister, I probably still wouldn't know what she looks like. It was a surreal moment, but a good one.
One last thing - How can I separate the paragraphs in my posts? All the text is just jammed together!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-18866120196236449842012-08-24T17:01:00.000-06:002012-09-26T11:14:31.037-06:00checking in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soM4HzTKNQo/UDgEFWc6fPI/AAAAAAAAA-I/CKjgXs5c1SI/s1600/Bethany%2Bis%2Bthe%2BBomb%2B106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soM4HzTKNQo/UDgEFWc6fPI/AAAAAAAAA-I/CKjgXs5c1SI/s400/Bethany%2Bis%2Bthe%2BBomb%2B106.jpg" /></a></div>
Bill and I recently went camping in the Rocky Mountains and spent the day at Crescent Falls, near Abraham Lake. I love this area!
How was your summer?
It's been interesting here. In early July I was laid off due to shortage of work, but was grateful that I didn't have too much of an interruption of unemployment benefits! I've also been grateful for the time off so that we could help Jamie move (80 miles to the south) I could learn how to grow vegetables (corn, peas, peppers and onions) and I can get the house ready for Bethany.
Beth is Bill's oldest daughter, she's eighteen. He'd been estranged from her for fourteen years, but last fall she searched for & found him. Over the last few months we've been developing a relationship with her, and in a few days she'll be moving in!
The timing for this is great! Jamie's moving has opened up the basement, which has a large bedroom, laundry room, living space and bathroom. Emily (who is 15 now) will be moving downstairs and sharing a room with Beth.
Although Beth graduated from high school this past June, she'll be attending Em's high school to upgrade her classes before heading off to college. She may only live with us for six or seven months, but we think it'll be a good opportunity for us all to bond.
Bill should be home soon, so I'm off to see who is still blogging.
Happy Friday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-48904411911520704422012-04-13T17:13:00.002-06:002012-04-13T17:16:11.404-06:00Hey! It's almost Spring in AlbertaI think I could start posting again! And reading again - haven't done that for awhile...after being laid off last year, I just kind of went into hiding. <br />Thank goodness most of you are on my facebook account, or else I'd be in total withdrawal.<br />Have a good weekend!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-18963599900836734932011-09-23T13:14:00.002-06:002011-09-23T13:25:52.907-06:00pretty.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDHfzQhP4Jo/TnzbJ9sFCwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/b86aoxfyZ3o/s1600/2011flowers%2B004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655636196295248642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDHfzQhP4Jo/TnzbJ9sFCwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/b86aoxfyZ3o/s400/2011flowers%2B004.JPG" /></a><br />I have come to love Portulaca Grandiflora, or Moss Rose.<br /><br />It's planted all over the front yard but absolutely thrives in hot, dry, sunny locations! This patch is at the end of my walkway, amongst the sedum, allium and Black Velvet petunias. <br /><br />There's a small chance it'll survive our Zone 3 winter, but only if it gets sufficient cover.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-91129727861098285632011-09-23T12:40:00.004-06:002011-09-23T12:59:43.847-06:00reunion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNTGjeo4e3U/TnzS5sVULII/AAAAAAAAA84/xLcPMvfLysI/s1600/2011flowers%2B014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNTGjeo4e3U/TnzS5sVULII/AAAAAAAAA84/xLcPMvfLysI/s400/2011flowers%2B014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655627120665439362" /></a><br /><center>Hens & Chicks, planted in the front yard</center><br /><br />Years ago, while Bill was fighting Tina for custody of Emily, he experienced another loss. His ex-wife Susan was struggling with Tina's erratic behaviour. Susan had married Bill a few years earlier, when Bill's plans included a career with the RCMP, and together they'd had a daughter named Betheny. The death of Susan's father, her mother's quick rebound within weeks of his death, and Bill's resignation from the force broke apart the marriage.<br /><br />Three years later Bill found himself in a custody battle for Em, and Tina began calling Susan. Most of the calls involved accusations against Bill and made the other family very, very uncomfortable.<br /><br />"She won't leave us alone," Susan explained. "My fiance is in the RCMP and he's a good man. He wants to raise Betheny as his own. She doesn't have to grow up around that, Bill."<br /><br />When Betheny was four, Bill signed away his parental rights.<br /><br />Just a few weeks ago, they made contact. Susan has agreed to bring Betheny, 17, to a coffee house to see Bill. <br /><br />Thirteen years! Bill is so happy and excited to see how she's grown up. We knew this day would come...and we hope things go well when he meets her this month.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-4606500355598382072011-09-09T11:40:00.005-06:002011-09-09T12:16:39.892-06:00alberta reynolds museum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PVGMNUQ50/TmpQd15gPFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/mB_f-9HOkPQ/s1600/214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650417156104404050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PVGMNUQ50/TmpQd15gPFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/mB_f-9HOkPQ/s400/214.JPG" /></a>Jamie, Bill and I drove north to Wetaskiwin in June to see Sensei Marr, shop at Liquidation World, and visit the Reynolds Museum, which has both vintage cars and aircraft.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LovA5g5Sr_k/TmpQdjIuUAI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/-clPAD_7AfE/s1600/267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650417151067967490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LovA5g5Sr_k/TmpQdjIuUAI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/-clPAD_7AfE/s400/267.JPG" /></a>This was one of my favourite cars, because it takes such interesting photos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wgg-BnG5RA/TmpQdJqIUKI/AAAAAAAAA8I/YFfcCp3XO-A/s1600/265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650417144228761762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wgg-BnG5RA/TmpQdJqIUKI/AAAAAAAAA8I/YFfcCp3XO-A/s400/265.JPG" /></a>I'm so accustomed to plastic/vinyl sterring wheels that I found this one to be stunning! Also, some of the cars felt as though they still carried energy from their previous drivers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ftZ8k4KLo/TmpQcwfOUKI/AAAAAAAAA8A/TZyR58gPims/s1600/266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650417137472131234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ftZ8k4KLo/TmpQcwfOUKI/AAAAAAAAA8A/TZyR58gPims/s400/266.JPG" /></a><br />If you're ever near Wetaskiwin, it's worth the trip to see the hundreds of reconditioned cars, trucks and farm equipment.<br /><br />I've had a camera since last January but to be honest, I wasn't interested in using it. It's not just that I was busy with work, but has more to do with my husband. Bill is the most wonderful man I know, and over the last few years he's gotten better in every single department except one: he has a problem with certain boundaries.<br /><br />For example, when he gave me the camera, I really wanted it to be mine. I gathered up all the camera related stuff (the disc, the instruction manual, the cords) and put them in the desk where I'd be able to locate it when I had a moment to look it over and figure out how to use it. The next few weeks were busy with work and kids and snowstorms and before I knew it, the camera had been taken out. The manual was lost, as was the disc.<br /><br />Six months later, I was able to round it all up and start again. I do resent when Bill or the kids just automatically assume that what's mine is theirs - whether it's my laptop, my phone, my camera, or my other gifts. Last Christmas the kids gave me an indoor herb garden and within a few weeks Bill had taken it out, planted it and set it on the window sill. Is it petty that I never even looked at them? They died a few months later.<br /><br />Obviously, I'm going to have to bring this up again before Christmas, lol.<br /><br />Happy Friday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-22651514805126999122011-09-04T11:05:00.005-06:002011-09-04T11:17:37.366-06:00house leeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjq-vLDrn9k/TmOwNaog0tI/AAAAAAAAA74/tSRfnpg27OQ/s1600/2011flowers%2B003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648552102186767058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjq-vLDrn9k/TmOwNaog0tI/AAAAAAAAA74/tSRfnpg27OQ/s400/2011flowers%2B003.JPG" /></a>
<br />I really enjoy growing Hens & Chicks. There's something about the way they send out these little babies, easily removed and replanted somewhere else, that makes them so much fun. Three of the ones I removed last year sent up blooms.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jvwz7BdvNQ/TmOwNFz_UTI/AAAAAAAAA7w/k0lSFV5ZKk4/s1600/2011flowers%2B002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648552096597758258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jvwz7BdvNQ/TmOwNFz_UTI/AAAAAAAAA7w/k0lSFV5ZKk4/s400/2011flowers%2B002.JPG" /></a>
<br />Others, like the ones shown here, just cluster a littler tighter. I think I have twenty or so right now and it'll be interesting to see how they fair over the winter. We drop down to -35°C and it always surprises me to see what comes back and what doesn't.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-59793489160328104372011-08-28T16:39:00.003-06:002011-08-29T11:25:47.979-06:00the kids<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dywPZG9avB8/TlrD46AJsOI/AAAAAAAAA7o/v-pNqoQWxCw/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dywPZG9avB8/TlrD46AJsOI/AAAAAAAAA7o/v-pNqoQWxCw/s400/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646040465272320226" /></a>
<br />Yay! My old JS friend helped me figure out how to post using IE9. Here's a pic of my oldest daughter Jamie (L) another friend, and Emily, on the right, at a wedding a few weeks ago.
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<br />becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-14072332936398329312011-08-28T11:27:00.003-06:002011-08-28T16:26:16.677-06:00long time, no see<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cs4G0ihNQoI/Tlp6yEnNWKI/AAAAAAAAA7g/TtIrTQ_RHAU/s1600/068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645960083512580258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cs4G0ihNQoI/Tlp6yEnNWKI/AAAAAAAAA7g/TtIrTQ_RHAU/s400/068.JPG" /></a>
<br /><center>flowers by the front porch</center>
<br />The flowers in the pic are Malva, which I started from seed in May. To be honest, I had no idea how tall they'd be! I have tried keeping up with heights, widths, sun exposure needs and watering needs, but there is a LOT to remember!
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<br />These sprung from three or four seedlings that were about an inch tall when I planted them June 25th. Currently they stand about 27" or 28" and are covered with thousands of little pinkish blooms that draw bees by the dozens. Thankfuly no problems with the bees, lol.
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<br />becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-50276301812670276082011-08-04T14:14:00.006-06:002011-08-04T14:22:56.867-06:00test<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzbeCQ46rxY/Tjr-i3eEloI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/S0nFYtVaCyg/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637097758566684290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzbeCQ46rxY/Tjr-i3eEloI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/S0nFYtVaCyg/s400/IMG_3215.JPG" /></a><br />I couldn't post anything yesterday, so I thought I'd try with a pic today. The publish button just didn't work!<br />This is my hubby, Bill, in his work truck. I hate the sunglasses, but they're a necessary evil for a driver on Alberta roads.<br />Anyway, he's a handsome guy in his uniform. Next week, on August 9th, we celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary! Hard to believe how time flies.<br />Happy Thursday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-43242208901020691042011-08-02T11:11:00.003-06:002011-08-02T11:15:43.192-06:00burning bridges<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTECVYDXe0k/Tjb4qQzWU2I/AAAAAAAAA7A/PfBBEMN_8L8/s1600/spring-shrubs-457.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635965388649288546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTECVYDXe0k/Tjb4qQzWU2I/AAAAAAAAA7A/PfBBEMN_8L8/s400/spring-shrubs-457.jpg" /></a><br /><center>photographer unknown</center><br /><br />Generally, I don't like to do it, and it always blows me away when a company like Vitalaire does it. It's been two weeks since I lost my job, and while I'm okay for the most part, it's taken it's toll on my confidence.<br /><br />You see, the Regional Director had spent over thirty minutes going over the "upcoming meeting" with me, which was to include the CPAP specialist, Bill and the respiratory therapist and mostly deal with safety and how I was to spend the last three months of my contract so that they could re-organize the Red Deer office.<br /><br />The same day, the Regional told the others that there would NOT be a meeting. When Bill called him about it, he was told to stay away. The following Monday, the respiratory therapist was told to stay away, presumably to keep me from talking to her. I spent the day alone.<br /><br />On Tuesday Morning, I was trying to get some points together for the meeting and also trying to finish up some paperwork when TWO managers showed up from Edmonton. At this time, I STILL thought the whole branch could meet to discuss some of the problems - but they brought chairs into my office, left the others out front, and shut the doors behind them.<br /><br />All they really had to do was let my current contract expire, but I think they had to make an example of me. Anyway, what a shitty way to handle things.<br /><br />Today I have an interview with the competition, and I hope that I get it. Even if I don't get a company car, I'd be okay with that. I just hope that their hourly wage is close to what I was making before! Bill and I want to buy a decent car this year.<br /><br />Wish me luck! I really need it.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-85013962889983352242011-07-30T10:06:00.003-06:002011-07-30T10:26:40.455-06:00july 30<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIWCAwBGT0w/TjQtrjM7TYI/AAAAAAAAA64/Nrgeb_v_3XM/s1600/crystal%2Bgraham.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIWCAwBGT0w/TjQtrjM7TYI/AAAAAAAAA64/Nrgeb_v_3XM/s400/crystal%2Bgraham.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635179259954417026" /></a><br /><center>photo by Crystal Graham</center><br />We've had hail three times this week - my plants are shredded.<br /><br />I've spent the last week and a half doing housework, writing resumes, and watching a Six Feet Under marathon. The SFU is something that always pulls me out of whatever problems I'm having at the moment, thank god.<br /><br />I've applied at several places but can't call because the listing states "only those selected for the interview process will be contacted", although I did call the oxygen supply company. The manager was harried and barely wanted to speak to me.<br /><br />"Where'd you send it? The resume?"<br /><br />"HR."<br /><br />"They haven't communicated to me in a week."<br /><br />"Would you like me to send it on to you?" I asked. "Do you have a few moments now?"<br /><br />"No, I'm too busy. Send it to me though."<br /><br />I also applied at a farm dealer, as a warehouse manager. For that, I may need to take a forklift course, but I'm totally willing to do something like that. Sounds like fun.<br /><br />Today we're going out to see my mum, since I haven't had the chance since losing my job (and company car) and I have some new sheets for their beds. I want to wash the floors, too.<br /><br />Have a nice Saturday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-87725163724306562242011-07-19T14:18:00.003-06:002011-07-19T14:30:30.694-06:00vitalaire healthcare lost a good employee today<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zriUMM7Qkxw/TiXm-zckCPI/AAAAAAAAA6o/CT-05Rp4OYg/s1600/549313878_37f8525c49.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zriUMM7Qkxw/TiXm-zckCPI/AAAAAAAAA6o/CT-05Rp4OYg/s400/549313878_37f8525c49.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631160875732961522" /></a><br />Last week I lodged a complaint against the area manager for Vitalaire in Southern Alberta.<br /><br />The big kahuna came down from Edmonton today, to let me know that ALL my claims were unsubstantiated and he believes it comes down to a personality conflict. He gave me two weeks notice, which I declined. They'll pay me out.<br /><br />He had a cab waiting for me, as he was taking my company van and cellphone.<br /><br />I'm not sure how I feel - certainly, I'm disappointed that it came to this. I'm really going to miss my customers! But I will NOT miss Karim, the one I've been writing about under the pseudonym Omar.<br /><br />One of the very first things he ever said to me was "What is your status and why are you driving one of those new vans?"<br /><br />The next was to tell me that I was a "dominant woman" and had to back off.<br /><br />He yelled at me every time I called to let him know I was working overtime.<br /><br />I hope my next position is easier than the last few I've had. I know that I can have problems with bad managers but otherwise I am an awesome catch!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-46836275889743587992011-07-17T10:48:00.002-06:002011-07-17T11:39:00.438-06:00summer<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhYhqTm3kZE/TiMS1Kp4qeI/AAAAAAAAA6g/7hNAjm7edXw/s1600/Portulaca-Moss-Rose-Sundial.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630364663745653218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhYhqTm3kZE/TiMS1Kp4qeI/AAAAAAAAA6g/7hNAjm7edXw/s400/Portulaca-Moss-Rose-Sundial.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br />The last few weeks have been brutal at work.<br /><br />Omar was never friendly, warm or helpful toward me before, but once I kept having to work overtime, things deteriorated fast.<br /><br />It's a vicious cycle; Bill's truck suffers some kind of breakdown (lately it's been the lift at the back. Once that goes, just try getting anything in or out of the back. It's very dangerous as well and must be fixed immediately.) When that happens, he will dispatch me to deliver to the hospitals and depots on his route. Invariably, this adds two to three hours to my route, which means I work through my lunch and at four o'clock, I have to call Omar.<br /><br />"Hi Omar, Kate here. I'm into overtime."<br /><br />"Why are you working overtime?"<br /><br />"I'm delivering to the Prairie Depot."<br /><br />"Why?"<br /><br />"Bill delivers to them on Tuesday but that is the day his lift broke and he had to get a rental. He didn't arrive until after 6:00 pm and by then everything was locked up and he couldn't deliver."<br /><br />"I meant, why are YOU doing it?"<br /><br />"They called the answering service last night. They're out of oxygen and need it today."<br /><br />"You didn't answer me. Why are YOU doing it?"<br /><br />"No one else can do it."<br /><br />"Why isn't Bill doing it?"<br /><br />"He won't return from the east until 6:30 tonight. Prairie is another 90 minutes to the south, which would put him over the fourteen hour limit."<br /><br />"This is unacceptable. I will have to come up there to see where these inefficiencies are coming from."<br /><br />The thing is, <I>he knows.</I> Bill keeps him apprised and often leaves him messages breaking down all the details of the breakdowns and resulting changes to our routes. He's always friendly and helpful toward Bill, but openly hostile toward me. <br /><br />At the end of last week, things got even worse, and I had to refuse some unsafe work. I just hope that everything can start to settle down a bit after this! <br /><br />Some good news I have is that I recently gave up caffeine, as it's been causing reflux since I quit smoking four years ago. I've been trying to figure out what my pain was all these years, and one day Jamie saw the topic discussed on Dr. Oz.<br /><br />I looked into it, spoke to a pharmicist, and went decaf the next day. What a difference! I had a few days of withdrawal but I feel pretty good now.<br /><br />Our whole family was able to go camping last weekend - it was fun, even though it rained the first night. We rented a little cabin out by the lake near my parents farm. We had a fire and Jamie made S'mores (which I tried for the first time) and the next day, we all rented paddle boats and cooked ribs on the fire outside.<br /><br />As I write this, Bill is unloading the dishwasher and Jamie is still asleep. Em is staying with Bill's sister out on the farm, so it's a lot quieter, lol. I think I see some laundry in my immediate future, so happy Saturday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-160876547591775552011-06-26T12:56:00.002-06:002011-06-26T13:10:43.560-06:00newfoundlanders!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8da31z_af8A/TgeBWCa9MpI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/nOGCfkhfhbM/s1600/xmas%2Beve%2B2010%2B024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622604875402392210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8da31z_af8A/TgeBWCa9MpI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/nOGCfkhfhbM/s400/xmas%2Beve%2B2010%2B024.JPG" /></a><br />Here's a grainy pic of Emily, myself and Bill at Christmas this past year, which was held at Cathy's farm out near Rimbey. Christmas was kind of the start of integrating Bill's family into our lives.<br /><br />Not that we were avoiding them or anything...okay, maybe a little.<br /><br />With Bill just coming out of two years of isolation when we met (he'd had a helluva time getting custody of Em and trying to find a job that would work around having a six year old. Daycares don't usually accept kids at 4:30 am, which is what time Bill had to leave when he was welding) he decided to lay low.<br /><br />Lay low from his sister Cathy, who'd witnessed his struggle while she went through her own, working in Alberta while her kids stayed in Newfoundland. When she settled down here, it took another year before we got a call from their mum, Margie, to get together because Cathy's son was in the hospital with appendicitus.<br /><br />It didn't take long before Bill's mum & dad came out, and as of last week, his cousins out of Labrador. To be honest, the whole family is awesome. I've enjoyed meeting and talking with all of them, and just love the whole culture, from the food to their interesting dialects.<br /><br />I'm off to work for awhile. Happy Sunday!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-52844259374382821072011-06-19T13:35:00.003-06:002011-06-19T13:53:43.472-06:00peaceful<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBmxM9DM_eA/Tf5P2AHVe2I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/sKH97GHSUxQ/s1600/dales_ring.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBmxM9DM_eA/Tf5P2AHVe2I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/sKH97GHSUxQ/s400/dales_ring.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620017174167255906" /></a><br /><center>a pic of Dale's wedding band, taken before I had to sell it</center><br /><br />While it's true that life was never the same for my mum after Dale's death - well, for any of us, I have to admit that the quietness that came was healing.<br /><br />Life went on. My step-dad continued to farm the land and the look after the cows, even if he was down to half a dozen head. My mum toodled around the house, took up crossword puzzles and lottery scratch tickets, and started sending Jim to get the groceries while she sat on the deck checking out her Peonies. For awhile, us kids prodded her to quit smoking and give up beer, but after a few years we realized that you can't change anyone, least of all your mum.<br /><br />The last few days have helped me calm down too. <br /><br />Yesterday I called her to follow up on the shower chair I took last weekend. "Mum," I practically yelled. "You have to <I>try</I> the chair before I come on Sunday. <I>Sunday!</I> If it's too big or too wide, I'll bring it back and exchange it."<br /><br />"Do I have a shower chair?" she asked.<br /><br />*sigh* Things went better with the bed. "Also, can you throw the sheets in the washer Sunday morning? I'll put them on for you."<br /><br />This time, I could hear the smile in her voice. "Okay. I'll see you then!"<br /><br />Now that she's accepting our help, it makes it easier for me to offer. And I'm going to take out some petunias for the front yard, and hang the lanterns I got for Jim for Father's Day. I'm looking forward to going out, once Bill returns from the shop.<br /><br />Happy Father's Day!becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-77603331357724277612011-06-12T12:12:00.003-06:002011-06-12T12:43:34.023-06:00Sundays at the Farm<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK4dBXRPUtw/TfUCKweyrkI/AAAAAAAAA6I/TNv8vOXxn5E/s1600/sick_dale_sensei.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK4dBXRPUtw/TfUCKweyrkI/AAAAAAAAA6I/TNv8vOXxn5E/s400/sick_dale_sensei.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617398494050561602" /></a><br /><center>My late husband Dale with his Sensei in August, 2002</center><br /><br />Last week, after Cathy, Jamie, Bill and I finished cleaning, Cathy commented on how quiet my mum was.<br /><br />"She just sat there with these <I>big</I> eyes," she said. "Has she always been so quiet?"<br /><br />I explained that she'd been almost 73 when Dale got sick, and to be honest, Dale was the glue that held our family together. Sundays at the farm usually started around 11:00 when Debbie would show up with her kids, David and Mercy. Dale, Jamie and I would show up within the hour, and everyone sat around the kitchen visiting while the kids chased around the handful of cats and kittens.<br /><br />Sometimes we moved out to the deck, but most of the time we stayed inside because Mum would have a beef roast in the oven, and Daole would want to make Yorkshire Pudding. Debbie would start cooking some kind of desert, and I would put on a pot of veggies and stand by to make the gravy.<br /><br />Debbie's husband, Dean, would show up by 1:30 and by then, dinner would be ready and we'd all have this huge feast.<br /><br />In the last few years when he was chronically drinking, things slowed down a bit but didn't completely stop until he started going blind in April of 2002. This is when Mum started getting really quiet. She suffered through his illness and death almost as much as me.<br /><br />In the months and years that followed, I couldn't go out there because of the ghosts that lingered. The men stopped helping as much as they had before - well, Dale was the one that helped the most. Helped look after the cows, mend the fences, build the deck, fix the roof, AND keep the cats under control.<br /><br />In the almost nine years since Dale's death, the farm went to hell in a hand basket, and now it's up to me to suck it up and start helping on a more realistic basis. I began by going out yesterday and changing the sheets on their bed, doing some laundry, giving Mum a pedicure and cleaning their bathroom.<br /><br />I hope things start to brighten up again, before either of them pass away.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-16527014994278362592011-06-09T09:38:00.003-06:002011-06-09T09:49:48.391-06:00she's not heavy, she's my mother<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2CGnHHnUkU/TfDpqyNgfEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/JVQ6yYFAKug/s1600/4084198359_de198a95cb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2CGnHHnUkU/TfDpqyNgfEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/JVQ6yYFAKug/s400/4084198359_de198a95cb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616245656573213762" /></a><br /><center>photo by Linda Goodhue</center><br /><br />I've been thinking about my mum for days, as well as my sister, Deb. Since Mum didn't have sheets on her bed when I was down on Monday, I thought I'd better call again yesterday.<br /><br />"Mum, I know Debbie said she'd take care of your hair & feet, but I haven't heard from her in awhile."<br /><br />"I don't know what's going on with her," my mum replied.<br /><br />"Me either. I'm just going to come out and do it - I don't want to confront her or anything, I'm just going to do it. How many sets of sheets do you have for the new bed?"<br /><br />"Just one, I think."<br /><br />"Were they in the wash then? When I was there the other day?<br /><br />"I don't know."<br /><br />Mum is 84 and very frail.<br /><br />"I was at the Sally Ann today and got some beautiful soft sheets for you. Yes! I got them for your bed. <I>NO, YOUR BED.</I>" (She's hard of hearing, lol)<br /><br />I'll be going out on Saturday to do a pedicure and put on the new sheets. Bill will be pressure washing the deck and checking the filter in the furnace. <br /><br />I'm still mad at my sister, and to be honest, I think I will be for awhile.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-41525729463516005422011-06-06T08:19:00.002-06:002011-06-06T08:46:04.722-06:00awful realization<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y191RfQ_0k/Tezkt-7q9_I/AAAAAAAAA54/QHwGyUI6kB0/s1600/img_886.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y191RfQ_0k/Tezkt-7q9_I/AAAAAAAAA54/QHwGyUI6kB0/s400/img_886.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615114314062690290" /></a><br />I did some reading on Saturday and now realize that my brother and my parents are cat hoarders. They fit the entire profile - the good intentions, the way they tried to feed and administer medical care but lost control.<br /><br />We knew there was a problem, my sister and I. In some ways, we're responsible! I feel terrible and I've been terribly anxious these past few weeks. It disturbed me this morning to realize that I'm scared of my brother, Steve.<br /><br />At any rate, we're going out there today to clean - let's hope he doesn't come home while we're there.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-44282314377279571522011-06-05T09:58:00.003-06:002011-06-05T10:36:39.030-06:00update on Em<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmC_YimaKfk/TeuqFjEPHFI/AAAAAAAAA5s/WGPbissbtEQ/s1600/036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmC_YimaKfk/TeuqFjEPHFI/AAAAAAAAA5s/WGPbissbtEQ/s400/036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614768372736531538" /></a><br /><center>Emily's Para-Troopers: On a Mission to Overtake the Kitty House</center><br /><br />Em has been doing very well since Tina's death last year. We passed the one year mark in March and while she often thinks about her mom, she knows that Tina is at peace now. For several years prior, Em had heard us speak of Dale and how we were working on forgiveness and living in peace - each day we strive for it and now Em does too.<br /><br />When she moved here in 2006, she was eight years old and had trouble fitting in with the group of kids at her school. Today she is fourteen and <I>still</I> has the same class of kids. In the last year she has drifted apart from them; many of them are experimenting with sex (oral or digital) relationships (Em's BFF is on her fourth boyfriend, Em isn't permitted to have a boyfriend) smoking or drugs.<br /><br />Jamie approached us in October to plead Em's case for a transfer from the Catholic School Division to the Public School Division. There's an International Baccalaureate program as well as all kinds of options for music and languages. We met with the school last month and it looks like a go-ahead. All her classmates are jealous, lol.<br /><br />Today we're headed out to Cathy's farm, first to visit a greenhouse and later for supper. Tomorrow we're doing the big clean out at my parents' farm. Jamie, Bill and Cathy will be joining us; Em is glad to have school :)becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-82554489374357766832011-06-04T11:39:00.002-06:002011-06-04T12:09:48.816-06:00*sigh*<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOJtzoAkoog/TepuKZ9shQI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gDeoQXXbrBg/s1600/win07_lettuce_seedlings.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614421010518148354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOJtzoAkoog/TepuKZ9shQI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gDeoQXXbrBg/s400/win07_lettuce_seedlings.jpg" /></a> Apparently it snowed early this morning - I'm so glad that it didn't stay!<br /><br />Man, what a week. Just dealing with Mum and Jim and Steven wasn't enough. On Thursday, the owner of one of our competitors came into the office to confront us about a bunch of rumours he's been hearing. Most of the stff he threw at us I'd never even heard, but still, he wouldn't let it go. I asked him to leave, he wouldn't. I told him he was trespassing and he took a step toward me. I called the R.C.M.P. <br /><br />OMG what drama! After calling the police, I had to speak to my boss three times, my boss's boss three times, I had to write out an incident report and a statement for the police (which btw, was "the best incident report" Constable Anderson had ever read. "Wow!," he exclaimed. "are you a writer?!")<br /><br />Yesterday I got a text from my sister saying that she wasn't able to pick Mum up on Monday. I'd been hoping that Deb would take her up to her house while we do all the cleaning at the farmhouse, and maybe cut Mum's hair because she's been wanting it cut for over six weeks now. "Mum won't go anyway," it read.<br /><br />I called Mum and asked her outright "did Deb ask you about getting a trim on Monday?"<br /><br />"No. But someone's got to do it, it's too long."<br /><br />"I'll do it. I can do it when we come out Monday."<br /><br />My sister has been neglecting our mother for over a year now, ever since she started to reno the new (to her) house. The other day I called her to ask if she'd keep Steve's cat overnight but she refused, saying that her husband wouldn't allow it, in case the animal "contaminated" the ground at their acreage. Yesterday she was in the mall with her 16 year old daughter and almost walked into Jamie's store but when they saw her they stopped and went the other way. It hurt Jamie's feelings and when Jamie told me, it hurt my feelings.<br /><br />I feel like she's mad because I "stirred things up." I think she'd rather forget Mum because Mum doesn't fit into the "class" she lives in now. My parents are poor but they're not stupid. I know Deb can't stand Jim - hell, sometimes I can't stand Jim, but he's my step-father and my Mum made that choice in 1974. Now Mum is 84 and <i>needs</i> us.<br /><br />Shame on her. Shame on Mercy. I don't know how Dave got to be such a good kid, but thank god he was around to help us.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-10644648344194524292011-06-03T07:44:00.002-06:002011-06-03T08:08:53.097-06:00update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MB-cOeaiLW8/TejnHzIRN7I/AAAAAAAAA5c/FovxCEFo_Oo/s1600/247816_10150202406002327_507512326_7695897_1801202_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613991056687314866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MB-cOeaiLW8/TejnHzIRN7I/AAAAAAAAA5c/FovxCEFo_Oo/s400/247816_10150202406002327_507512326_7695897_1801202_n.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's a picture of Rogue, the kitten we rescued from the farm six months ago. Although she still suffers from an upper respiratory issue and requires a shot of penicillan every month, she's got it pretty good with us.<br /><br />Update on the kitties at the farm: My nephew called me Wednesday morning. We'd been waiting for my brother to come home and go back before beginning the clean-up but when Dave got out to the farm with his buddy they decided to go ahead.<br /><br />They were able to euthanize over 80% of the feral animals, but it came at an emotional cost. Dave is the same age as Jamie and the two kids grew up together; weekends were often spent at the farm and cats have always been one of the draws for the kids. Once the cats got out of control Dave couldn't face going into the house anymore. This past week was so tough on him - not just the act of shooting the cats or burying them, but having to face what had happened to his grandparents and their home.<br /><br />"I'm a little messed up now," he told me. "There are a few left, but I can't go back."<br /><br />"I'm so sorry Dave! What you did for Grandma must have taken heroic strength. You saved them, and you saved those kitties from suffering."<br /><br />"I know. Half the damn things couldn't breathe anymore. Still, what a fucking thing to have to do."<br /><br />"I'm so sorry. We can't thank you enough. Don't worry about anything else - Bill will look for females on Monday. We're taking a cleaning crew out there."<br /><br />Yesterday I stopped at Cathy's (she lives on my delivery route) and she's ready to come out with us and clean walls and floors. Today my step-dad and his brother are ripping out carpets and putting in laminate.<br /><br />Somehow, I have to figure out how to seal the dirt basement. Anyway, things are happening quickly now. My parents sound happy on the phone, and that's a good thing.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-50985626052064454652011-05-31T08:45:00.003-06:002011-05-31T11:27:25.340-06:00the bright side<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoCQHo6fTSg/TeT_QheGGMI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/tg_CjMNk3gw/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612891694938069186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoCQHo6fTSg/TeT_QheGGMI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/tg_CjMNk3gw/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>It's true that the week ahead holds a lot of horror for Bill and I.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>It's not fair that it's going to fall to us and to my sister's boy and his friend to euthanize those animals, but I've discovered that life isn't fair anyway. The upside to everything is that I'll be able to go in there afterwards and <i>clean</i>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>It's been traumatizing just going out there to visit and realizing that the air quality in my parents' home not acceptable. Knowing that dander and feces may be coming up out of the heat vents from the basement. Knowing that the house that my step-dad has lived in his entire life could be condemned - it's even scarier than having to euthanize all those animals. We're looking forward to being able to help them in many more ways than this.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>*sigh*</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In other news, I wasn't able to get a new netbook. The dividend cheque was only $130 due to a terrible fiscal year, but I have another plan. There's a place that sells refurbished netbooks for $230 and they'll take it in two payments, so that's what I'll do. Bill got his guitar this year and Em got her netbook this year, so I'll not feel guilty at all. Much. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I just need something to look forward to.</div>becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-80293662242613365192011-05-30T21:27:00.002-06:002011-05-30T21:56:37.758-06:00thanks for nothing<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWtX0S7McVQ/TeRgRoqRowI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ILd2DhBKloA/s1600/d_908.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612716891699258114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWtX0S7McVQ/TeRgRoqRowI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ILd2DhBKloA/s400/d_908.jpg" /></a><br />The call from the SPCA Peace Officer didn't go well.<br /><br />"Let me guess," she began. "Your family has let a cat problem get out of control and now you want us to come out, clean up after you, foot the bill and look the other way on charges -"<br /><br />"I made the call because my parents have lost the ability to take control. And yes, I'm looking for help. I don't know who else to call and we need help."<br /><br />"Who's paying the vet?"<br /><br />"That's why we called. If I had the resources; if <i>they</i> had the resources, I wouldn't be talking to you."<br /><br />"This is going to take several officers, several vans, a couple vets...thousands of dollars! There's only one of me - I'd have to bring in people from Edmonton and Calgary. I think you're going to have to take care of it yourself. Honestly, the most humane way to go about it is to get the help of a marksman."<br /><br />In my mind, I'm thinking to myself <i>Seriously?! Seriously??!!</i><br /><br />So in the next week, my husband Bill and I, and my nephew and his friend will be making trips to the farm each night to systematically triage, treat, OR euthanize over 110 feral cats suffering from various illnesses. We're creating a new pet cemetery and Bill will be on hand to say several prayers after the burial.<br /><br />It's agonizing to even think of it. I know that perhaps I was naive thinking that there'd be help, but I didn't really expect what we got when we called - nothing. No help, but threat of criminal charges if we don't comply. I think I know why it took us so long to act! In any event, our concerns lie with my parents and those animals.<br /><br />Wish us luck.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1426749039913631460.post-25578962084653922582011-05-28T09:04:00.002-06:002011-05-28T09:56:55.902-06:00scary<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lnpbX30mgs/TeEPNWbmEbI/AAAAAAAAA5A/HO3cHB6YPRA/s1600/custom1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lnpbX30mgs/TeEPNWbmEbI/AAAAAAAAA5A/HO3cHB6YPRA/s400/custom1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611783332714385842" /></a><br /><center>random garden pic</center><br /><br />I made the call to Animal Services yesterday.<br /><br />I began by saying that I was sure it was <I>not</I> animal hoarding, even though my brother Steve has been trying to feed and care for them all. It began years ago, when my folks were still in their seventies. One neighbour dropped off an un-neutered Siamese, which got several females pregnant. Many of those animals stayed in the outbuildings and those kittens got pregnant. And so on.<br /><br />We started talking about getting help last year. This year, it became unmanageable.<br /><br />At any rate, after the first few minutes, the officer explained that since Steve is the one that tries looking after them, he'd be the one facing charges. At that point I got very upset and pointed out that Steve is a caregiver for our aging parents - he cleans the kitchen and floors and bathroom and also helps with yardwork and snow removal. He drives 100 miles round trip every week <I>just</I> to help Mum with the dishes and to change her bedding.<br /><br />It's taken us years to act on this for this very reason alone, but now it is more important to improve quality of life for my parents. <br /><br />Animal Control asked about adoption - did I think if they got several agencies involved, could they be rounded up, treated and adopted out? <br /><br />"Maybe a small percentage," I replied. "But most are infested with mites, fleas, worms and disease. Personally, I think over 90% of them need to be euthanized."<br /><br />They asked for a legal land description and I couldn't give it - yet.<br /><br />"I need time to talk to my parents and my sister. They have one dog and three cats that are fixed and need to be removed before anyone shows up."<br /><br />"We wouldn't seize that first day," she said.<br /><br />"I need the weekend. Here is my on-call cell number and my husband's. If you don't hear from by Monday at noon, feel free to contact me."<br /><br />I have to say that making that call was scary. I didn't cry on the phone with the officer, but did cry talking to my sister. Later, when Bill's sister Cathy offered to help clean the farm afterward, I cried again. "It's so bad, Cathy - I don't know if I could bear taking you out there." <br /><br />I called Jim (step-father) to let him know that things were going to be proceeding quickly once the address was given. "I want for you and mum to be able to stay in that house. Also, if we had left it and someone else reported it, you would face charges because you're the landowner."<br /><br />"I don't want the house condemned."<br /><br />"I know. Don't tell Steven."<br /><br />"He'll be here Monday night to clean but will leave again Tuesday morning - "<br /><br />"I'll let them know. Debbie will take Buddy (Steve's cat) and Cathy is taking Lucy. We'll take the other two cats that are fixed -"<br /><br />"They can stay here, in another room."<br /><br />"I don't think so - they recommended we have those animals completely removed so as not to hinder the seizure."<br /><br />"Okay."<br /><br />The next week is going to be long and hard. You know, if you had told me this would happen when I was eighteen, I would laughed in your face. Back then, Jim made sure the cat population was under control! It's scary seeing what can happen, once you get old! I hope my kids are around to help us out.becomingkatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01233315426856228689noreply@blogger.com7