Off the Clock

I think we've completely missed May and gone straight from April showers to July heatwave. It's been in the 90's all weekend (yes, I know I'm Canadian but I live on the U.S. border and still think in Fahrenheit; it's probably been just over 30 Celcius). I had scheduled the pool company to open the pool on Monday since I was tired of doing most of it myself every year (darn kids make sure they are never around on pool opening day) but it was so hot on Saturday that DS offered to open it himself. Knowing how much work was involved I was loathe to cancel the pool company, but figuring that some good hard labour would do him some good I told him to have at it. Never underestimate the ingenuity of an almost 16yo on a mission. First him and his buddy (whom I call second son; SS) called up a bunch of friends and invited them over for "a swim". Yes, cruel, I know. We threw the pump in the cover to start pumping out the water, usually a 36 or so hour process (...

To all the Mom's out there. Mine's at the symphony this afternoon and will then be coming over for dinner. DH is making dinner to celebrate for both of us. I'm very lucky to have an awesome Mom, but unfortunately she's going through a difficult time right now. Her dog has just been diagnosed with untreatable bladder cancer and we'll be dealing with that next Friday. This is the loving creature who was comfort and company for Mom as she dealt with my Dad's battle with cancer that he ultimately lost. It's going to be a tough day and then some, but I'll be there with her through it. My own offspring have been wonderful. DS has been most agreeable today (that's a gift in itself!) and will be taking me to the movies later. DD jumped major hurdles to get the pictured mug made for me. Does that girl rock or what?! A chip off the old block, I'm thinking. ;) And to top it off she wrote me a poem that made me sound like some kind of hero and mad...

Well not really but everyone will think so when they see us out! DH did a fundraiser last night to fight cancer. In memory of his brother John who lost his battle with cancer last summer, he decided to "take it all off" to raise funds for the Kelly Shire Project. This is a charity that assists women fighting breast cancer with financial aid to help cover some of the expenses that come up when undergoing treatment. So far he's raised almost $4,000 from very generous friends and co-workers with more still coming in. You rock Jeff! To see all that hair come off in all it's glory check out the photos and click on "view slideshow".

Or become one. I can't seem to put this camera down. Not even to pick up my knitting! Ok, that might have a little to do with the fact my rheumatoid arthritis is acting up BIG time, but still... I'm in London this week, but due to two "tenatious teens" and a kitty that needs meds twice a day I'm commuting, which means 4 hours on the road each day. So between car-ass, my rheumatoid arthritis kicking in and the fact that I think I'm starting menopause I'm not the best company this week. And no knitting to top it off. But here's some recent "stuff". First is some cute ducks just to show off how well this camera picks up details. (click on each pic for a better size) Then some other birds; a common grackel, a redwinged blackbird and a barn swallow. This zoom lens is too much fun! I'm even taking pictures of food for Pete's sake! Poor DH wants to die of embarassment when we go out to eat because I keep pulling out the camera. I ...