It seems I have my best rambles at night...generally at bed time, or afterward.  This is one of those nights.  I should be signing off, yet my brain is saying "No.  Not yet".  So, here I am, sitting in front of my computer.

I am in the process of starting another business.  I already have a mowing business, and I must admit, it does quite well, but it is only about 5- 6 months.  I also am Dog Constable here on the Island.  No, not Dog Catcher, that gives people the idea that I am supposed to go out and catch any and all dogs that are loose.  That isn't my job.  I do catch them sometimes, but I don't HAVE to.  All I have to do is identify the dog and deal with the owners.  Sometimes it is easier to catch the dog and wait for the owner to come to me; especially when I am not sure who the dog belongs to.  And then their is my newest venture--Commissionaire.  A fancy word for "babysitter".  lol.  Yep, I get to guard (sounds a bit better than babysit) people who have been put in a cell.  This keeps the RCMP officer free to do their jobs, rather than have to sit in the detachment, doing the guarding themselves.  So, amidst all of these other jobs, I decided that opening a dog kennel would be a good idea.

I am almost 50 years old and have dreamed about opening a kennel for--well, I really don't know how long.  But since a friend of mine already had a kennel, I didn't want to cut into her business.  When she decided to sell, I had decided I no longer wanted to try it.  People started asking "Are you going to buy the kennels?" and I answered that I wasn't interested.  As time went on, more people asked.  I guess they know me better than I know me because eventually I talked about it with Joseph.  We decided to look into the numbers.  How many dogs were kenneled in the run of a year?  I already knew the costs since my dogs go to the kennels about twice a month, sometimes more.  Then on to the other numbers.  How much to move the building?  Over and above the cost of the building.  And land...we needed to clear some land as we live in the woods and have cleared as little as possible.  I LIKE being surrounded by trees.  After it is cleared, stump removal, building up the land, then cement work, adding drains in each individual kennel and, (most important in my opinion) in floor heating.  I don't want MY dogs to be cold, so I am sure most others don't want their dogs to be cold, either.  We have very cold winters and lots of dogs just don't have enough fur to stay warm.  So, add cement work, drain pipes, the materials for the heating, a hot water tank and wiring to the cost.  And there you have it.  A scary number.

Off to the bank.  A talk with a financial manager who decides we can do this due to good credit and good information on how much this is going to cost.  I am so glad we did the footwork so we could show we knew what we were doing.  Shortly afterward, the money is lined up and we just have to wait for the snow to melt...after the worst snowfall in memory. (even the old timers hadn't seen as much snow as we got this winter)

Now the now is gone enough that the land is cleared and we are just waiting for the heavy machinery to move in and start fixing things up.  Once they come, it will be more real.  And shortly after that, I am hoping the cement will be done.  Then paint on the floors, linoleum in the kennels (easily sanitized and won't soak up water.) a few shelves, a desk, the wiring. SPCA inspection...and away we go.  I will be the owner of a boarding kennel for dogs.  Ready or not.  Off on my next great adventure!  

Weddings, sunshine and other thoughts

The sun is shining today.  The heat from it feels wonderful and the snow is melting.  Finally.  Granted, it wasn't really that long since the snow began...sometime near the end of January.  It is now only the last day of March.  Two months of snow isn't bad...it is just the amount we go in such a hurry that makes it seem like a long time since we have seen anything other than snowbanks.  But warm days are coming.  I have seen a few flies and bare patches are popping up here and there where the snow has disappeared.  

It probably won't be long now before our cat, Poptart decides it is time to leave again.  Maybe not for quite as long this time.  Before January, the last time she had come home was over 6 years ago.  Instinct must have told her that this snow was coming; otherwise, she never would have come home again.  She is now almost 17 years old.  Too old, in my opinion, to be on her own, but I can't force her to stay home.  She really is still a very feral cat.  Move to quickly around her and she will have no problem swatting you with claws out.  If she goes out again, I hope she doesn't go far and will come home often.

Sam and Dan are getting married on Saturday.  Wow...time sure flew by!  I really like Dan.  Sure he has issues...so does Sam.  They can work on their issues together and both are great parents to Isaac.  With his club foot, he has been a challenge.  Cranky days where the cast hurts him or is too hot or too uncomfortable...and Sam and Dan work together to give each other breaks from the crying.  The way it should be.  Since they are getting married in Dans home town of Wirral, (and no one knows where that is.)  I haven't been able to help as much as I wanted.  Dan's parents have been wonderful, though.  They are helping and it makes me very thankful to know that they want Sam as part of their family.  I couldn't ask for better in-laws for her.  

Isaac is growing way too fast and I don't get to see him often enough.  He smiles now and will make baby noises.  "Telling stories".  So very cute.  Sam holds the phone up for him to listen to me talking sometimes and he looks around to see where the voice comes from.  He might not recognize his Grammas voice just yet, but it interests him.  Of course, I think he is the most handsome, smartest little guy on the face of the earth.  Isn't that what all Grammas think?  But my grandson really is the BEST. 

Valentines day

Just a little rant..

Every year when Feb. 14th gets closer, there are people who start saying they hate Valentines day;  complain that it is just a money grab, over commercialized and is stupid because it involves one day where a guy treats a girl like a princess when he SHOULD be doing it every day.  Yes, maybe it is a money grab.  Maybe it is over commercialized.  And yes, guys should treat their girls like princesses, while the "princess" treats her guy like a prince.  It works both ways.  They should appreciate each other every day, 365 days a year, not just 1 day from a year.  BUT, no matter what some people say, Valentines day is special.  

I KNOW my husband loves me.  He shows me in many different ways.  Helping with meals, seeing to the dogs or the chickens, filling the furnace with wood so I don't have to...and many other things, but ONE day a year, he buys a very sweet card for me with hearts and flowers.  It states how he feels and it is special to me, because he took the time to look through cards and find one that says what he sometimes can't seem to say in words.  He isn't a poet, and doesn't do well with flowery words.  But the card says what he isn't able to.  I certainly don't expect to receive a special card every day; it would no longer be special if he did that, so those who dislike the day can continue to do so, but don't try to drag everyone else down by complaining about it and calling it stupid or garbage or whatever other label you want to put on it.  I, for one, think it is a special day.  

Single people complain because it is a day for couples.  Maybe so.  But why not make it a day to treat yourself to something special.  You can buy some flowers for yourself to make a drab February day (actually several days as they will last awhile) brighter.  Or buy a box of expensive chocolates for yourself, just because you can...or even a piece of jewelry you like.  You don't NEED to have someone else buy it for you.  Choose what you WANT and be good to yourself.  Why not?  Buying a card for yourself might not work, but there are many other things you can do.  Buy a book you have considered reading...or a special perfume...whatever works.  But just stop complaining about ONE day a year dedicated to love and romance.  Every one of us has had times when we were alone for Valentines.  Some of us have had times when we WISHED we were alone...which is worse than actually being alone!  So if you are unhappy with your circumstances, find something to distract yourself...or something special to do...don't just try to make those who DO enjoy the day feel bad for doing so.  

On Snow

Snow has been on my mind a lot lately.  With 3 or 4 storms in just a couple of weeks, that is no wonder.  

In November, people start thinking about the winter to come.  Kids think of snow days with excitement.  Adults--not so much.  No matter what, that first snowfall is pure magic.  Especially when waking up in the morning to a pure white world where sound is muted; the falling snow sparkling in the light of the new day.  The air smells fresh; a new day--a new start.  Sleds come out of the basement or garage and even a few adults are brave enough to swoosh down the sledding hills, reliving the times they had as children.  Tomorrow they will probably feel the pull of seldom used muscles, but for the day, they get to be kids again.  Tongues flick out to catch big fluffy flakes that really should taste like cotton candy, yet even though they have no taste at all, they somehow taste of winter and childhood and Christmas.

After that first snow, school kids thoughts turn to snow days where school is cancelled and the day spreads out before them with nothing to do but build snow forts and snowmen, slide and throw snowballs.  Even some teachers look forward to a snow day every now and then so they can just stay home to catch up with lesson plans, marking the latest bunch of tests and eat a hearty stew, soup, chili or some other food that tastes best on a snowy day.

As snow banks grow, old-timers are heard discussing how long it has been since the last snows like this.  After some discussion their minds go further back to their own childhoods.  These newfangled sleds have nothing on the sleds of their memories; ones that sported wooden or even iron runners, that flew faster down larger hills than today's kids could ever imagine.  "In my day..." should be considered the same as "Pay attention..."  because as sure as those words are said, a story is about to unwind; worth listening to as it is a part of our history that may not be around for many more snows.

An afternoon of shoveling walks, steps and decks often has adults dreaming of warmer days and sunshine.  Yet the snow is also a good excuse to grab a good book, a cup of hot tea or coffee and curl up for a few hours; secure in the knowledge that the storm will keep visitors at bay.  Once in awhile the rumble of a plow truck may pull ones attention from their book but they will quickly immerse themselves back into the book; until the kids come in dragging piles of snow to be mopped up.  Snowsuits, soggy mittens and frozen boots are hung up to thaw and dry.  After warming up and having supper, it isn't long before the children are yawning after their exertion outside.  Time to head to bed and wake up to see what delights may be brought on in the snow tomorrow.