THE RETIREMENT HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!

This is the Desk Top Photo at some of my the ambulance stations this week - The paramedics have all wished me the best in my retirement following 22 years of service, the last 9 of those years being their "Paramedic Manager". This photo was taken at a recent retirement party held for one of our Medics who retired after 28 years .

Today is a very special day for me:

• 2 days until a Staff Christmas Party
• 3 days until my 6 Grandchildren are here for our "Annual Christmas Party" - sounds like it is going to include a sleep over!
• 4 more work days before retirement, and I'm ready! I am looking forward to living the life of a "kept woman"after 33 years of full time work.

Sunday past 2 of the Grandchildren came by and decorated the Christmas Tree and several rooms in the house after church. Man, I have decorations in places I never had decorations before and lots of ornaments at the bottom of the tree. The kids were happy, they had lots of fun being in charge of decorating. Our visitors over the Christmas Season will be family and close firends who will share in our joy and celebration of the Christmas Season. Many will be envious of our status of "Grandparents" and look forward to the day when they can have their decorating done by "The Hands Of Angels"

Monday this week was the start of training my temporary replacement; John is a full time paramedic with our serive who has recently accepted the newly formed position of "Service Area Lead" for one of my 2 service areas. He later took the temporary position of "Acting Field Manager" until a permanent replacement is found which they hope to be in place by mid January. John is doing a great job - he is taking lots of notes and asking lots of questions. I am convinced he will adequately fill the position in the interim he also has great medics and administration staff to rely on for advise and support when needed.

This week is flying by quickly so 'till next time..Bye for now,

Anne

"BOO" The Hallowe'en Cat

This is what "Boo" looked like when we first met her on October 31st, Hallowe'en Night 2007

Two of my Grandchildren were out for trick or treat (accompanied by their parents), when they came across this beautiful stray kitten. A child had seen a man let 2 kittens out of his car earlier in the evening, one was soon picked up and taken away by another child, - this one found a residence close by and every time the door opened to another trick or treator she ran inside only to be put back out when that trick or treator left. Our Grandchildren felt sorry for this little creature and asked if they could take her home, their parents agreed that she would be a great addition to their already 2 cat family. Little did they all know how she would weave herself into their hearts.

When they got Boo home (what other name would you choose for a cat found and rescued on Hallowe'en Night?)they realized there was something wrong with her ears, an appointment was soon made with a veterinarian in a neighbouring community who told them her ears had been frozen. How could that be? The weather hasn't been more that -1, maybe -2! The Vet informed them that the kitten was so malnourished and dehydrated she could not keep her whole body warm during the colder temperatures. When the temperature dropped her existing blood and body fluids went to her body's core keeping vital organs alive - therefore not leaving enough in her outer body to keep her ears warm - thus causing them to freeze.

Six weeks have passed and BOO's frozen ear tips have finally fallen off. The process was very painful for her, she wanted to play with the kids and be a kitten - do the things a normal kitten does but her ears hurt too much. She would lay on her blanket in the garage away from everyone so no one or anything would accidently touch her sore ears.

This is a picture taken of "Boo" December 9th, she is so much happier now. She chases a ball around the house and plays as any normal kitten does. The kids love her - what Boo wants Boo gets.

This is a story of mixed emotions but one with a happy ending thus far, Boo has settled in and gets along well with the other 2 cats - Misty and Minew - one big happy family! The kids have learned about cruelty to animals and how important it is to love and properly care for them.

Christmas Comedy

Sunday December 2, 2007

This is one of my most favourite spots along Highway 6, for years I have thought the fire tower hill was higher - an optical illusion no doubt. Yesterday was one of our nicer days in the week, we have had lots of snow squalls which have been isolated with some areas getting more that others.

The snow machiners are out and about, hopefully we have snow throughout the winter this year and not loose it after Christmas like we have in most recent years.

Allan had a birthday yesterday, we met with the kids and Grandkids for lunch and had pizza! Everyone's favourite - most kids like pepperoni pizza ,and all of our grandkids do except for one - the 3 1/2 year old, she loved the Kitchen Sink Pizza as much as the adults do. We had a good time together, it was only a short time but in today's busy world we are like everyone else - it is quality time and not quantity time.

This year for the first ever I have all of my Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped! I was able to complete the task yesterday and what a nice feeling. Gawd, don't ya love Canadian Tire! Their Christmas motto of "Shop Like Santa; Save Like Scrooge" is true. The next job will be getting the house decorations up, I think I will call in some Grandkids to help with the tree, then I have to plan games and food for the annual Christmas Party with all of the Grandkids.

I have added a short video which I know you will enjoy, it will put a smile on your faces for the Christmas Season.

'Til next week, bye for now,

Anne

November 27, 2007

Here we are standing on the threshold of another Christmas Season, Saturday was spent shopping for gifts and Sunday we put up the outdoor lights. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of the Advent, I don't usually get into the swing of the Christmas Season until then but this year I am a little bit ahead of the rush.

December 1 is Allan's birthday, the Fire Dept Christmas dinner/party and more shopping! The indoor decorating comes next with the planning of my annual Christmas Party with the Grandkids which will be held on the 15th. We all have a great time with games, prizes, crafts, laughter, and lots of food. The craft project is making a Christmas gift for their Great Grandma.


This motivator is my gift to you today:

Joy of being you

To get where you wish to go, you must take an active role in the journey. Though many good and valuable things are constantly flowing into your life, it is up to you to make something meaningful out of them.

No one else can live your life for you. That is your biggest responsibility and your greatest opportunity.

Your dreams and desires, passions, opinions, preferences and interests are yours for a reason. The more sincerely and completely you give life to them, the more genuine fulfillment you will know.

Beauty is what you know it to be. Joy is what you experience it as being.

The meaning of life is the meaning you give to it. Deep down, you know what to do.

Dive into the pure joy of being you. For there is so very much you are able to be and to give.

-Ralph Marston

November 18, 2007

The dog is playing with his log as we load our trailer with slabs
The grandchildren are in on the action

This is our second load of slabs for the sugar shack

One month from today is my last day worked - RETIREMENT - December 18, 2007 Am I Ready??? There has been a great deal of thought put into this move, it feels good - and I am looking forward to it! Will the novelty disappear after the first few months? I know I will miss the travelling/driving - the scenery is just out of this world - the paramedics are my social life - will I ever be able to substitute this in a life of retirement? I guess that is yet to be known!

We have made plans for the first few months of our retirement:

I will be making a clown costume in January for a little girls' birthday party

We have made reservattions in Mexico and Texas for February

March we are wanting to make Maple Syrup

From April until Fall we are building a garage

This weekend we gathered slabs to use for firewood at the sugar shack in March. Our kids and Grandchildren have never experienced making Maple Syrup - so this is will be an adventure!

I am looking forward to having them all at camp for a week-end to finish the syrup, make oatmeal and blueberry pancakes, homemade ice cream and maple syrup toffee - Mmmmm sounds so good!

The most important of our plans is to live each day as it comes - if it feels good we will do it, so keep posted to see what transpires next!