I am a grandma!

Well, I heard from the Trust this morning.  They have me sponsoring Dabassi now.   This is him with Mishak.  He is still a little "wild" right now, and rightfully so.  He is about 20 months old.  Needs a little fattening up.  He is coming around, though.  The other eles are helping him, and Mishak works wonders with them.   Booked my private visit today.  I will get to spend 30 minutes with the eles.  Might even get to feed them.  Can't wait.   All for now.  Have a great day, my friends. TTFN

A very sad day.  My smallest and youngest elephant has died.  This is Mumbushi with Abdi, the keeper who helped with the rescue.  Poor baby, only a couple of months old and he saw his mother killed, had his head slashed with a machete, other various cuts and stuff on him.  A day later and look how trusting he is of Abdi.   Can't even begin to describe how heartborken I am over the news. Definitely booking the private time at the Trust for October.  Although the evening visits will be nice, you can't really be near the babies except through the fence of their stable.  So I will pay the money and be able to touch and hug them.   Love you, Mumbushi.  So sorry, baby, for what humans did to you.  Rest in peace, angel.  You are with your mama again. This person , B, is really starting to bug me.  So shallow, it's irritating.  Have decided to hide their posts.   Otherwise I might say something I don't want to...

All I can say is WOW.  Winds up to 90 kph and heavy rain. And we only got the tail end of Irene.  I have never seen it like that here.  Pretty scary, can't begin to imagine what everyone in the U.S. had to deal with before it lost some strength.  My neighbor upstairs is nervous whenever there is a strong wind, so I had her here for almost 8 hours.   Finally took Kayla through the park.  I was ready to see devastation, instead I see the plants and flowers and trees withstood the storm quite well.  Mainly dead branches fell off the trees. Kayla is feeling so much better.  She has had 2 full days of medication, and I think it is already starting to work on her.  I know she needs to pee quite often to flush whatever it is out of her system.  Not easy today.  I opened the side door of the building and she looked outside and looked at me as if to say "are you crazy".  But she went out and did her pee.  Back to work tomo...

Jeez whiz.  Talking to my neighbor again.  Got to stop doing that.  Annoys the hell out of me.  I am trying to lose a few pounds before my trip.  We were talking about chips (crisps) being my downfall.  She couldn't understand.  She says she eats 3 to 5 chips then puts the bag away.  A bag lasts her a month.  Who in their right mind eats 3 or 5 chips only?  Her daughter inherited a house from her father (ex-husband) and all I hear is We have to get the gutters cleaned.  She has to cut the grass before it rains, she has to do this, blah blah.  She doesn't live with her daughter.  I keep telling her it's the daughters house, but it goes right over her head.  Who died and left you in charge of everyone? Sorry, my little rant for the week. We moved the equivalent of a small office this morning.  Of course, it had to be on the 4th floor.  Up and down 3 flights of stairs numerous times.  Then moving tables ...

OK, this sucks.  They have changed the schedule on TV.  Now they shows I watch are who knows where.  Hate when they do that. Getting cooler here, I actually had to pull the quilt over me last night.  You can smell autumn coming.  I love it.  The weather has been so up and down the last week.  30 on Saturday, 19 today.  Tomorrow is supposed to go up to 27 or 29.  Too bad, because Kayla has been doing so much better with the cooler weather.  Oh, well, it won't last much longer. Made y appointment with the ear doctor.  When I went to get my shot, I asked the doctor about what I could do about me ear problems.  I was told this type of problem caused a lot of trouble when flying.  My reply to that, back in March, was no worries.  I never fly.  Famous last words.  Anyhow, the doctor took a look at my ear and said I should see the specialist again.  So I will go see him and see what he says.  Had a ...

Not a lot happening this weekend.  Finally found an amazing pair of sandals at a really good price.  Never though I was that much of a shoe y hound, but it appears I am. Yesterday was too hot to do anything, and today was threatening rain, so not much to be able to do outside.  I did get to the travel store today.  I bought an adapter and a luggage weigher.  Don't want to go over the limit. Just watching Miss Congeniality.  Love Sandra Bullock.  Saw The Net yesterday.  Really love that movie. Anyhow, not much else going on.  So I will say goodnight.  Have a great week, my friends. TTFN

Just had a talk with my cousin.  She had such a horrible day and I felt bad that I had such a great day.  Her problems were all money related.  While I have times like that, they are few and far between.  She is the type of person that has to have the latest of everything.  I have seen her buy the latest laptop, then within a year she sold it to me and bought the latest model.  Plus I think she has the latest product of every make-up line there is.  It was just funny to realize that my great day was because I finally got a pair of sandals that won't fall apart within a month (and weren't too expensive) and I got my visa for Kenya.  Other than that, not a lot going on.  the weekend is here.  Julie, you guilted me, unintentionally, into starting my housework tonight.  I got rid of a whole pile of stuff.  Great. Have a great weekend, my friends. TTFN

Don't know what happened to me last night, it just got away from me.  Forgot to do a whole pile of things.  No problem.  They will still be there when I get home. :-) Kayla is doing so much better with the cooler weather.  I guess it was just age catching up with her (and me).  Repacked my Nursery suitcase again last night.  I got a bunch of pencils, sharpeners and erasers for the school kids.  A few notebooks too, though I will pick up more.  People from work have been so wonderful with blankets and sunscreen for the babies.  Can't wait, 61 days and 7 hours to go. My son is so sweet.  He called to wish me good luck with the shots.  He is also chipping in whatever my insurance doesn't cover.  Good thing I went, though.  I had someone check out my ear as I had a nasty ear infection that broke the eardrum last October.  The doctor told me this was the type of ear that could give me problems when flying.  I told...

I was thinking tonight, always a dangerous thing for me.  I remember driving home one night, it was about 11:30 and I was stopped at a particularly long red light about a block from my home.  In many places in Quebec, turning right on a red light is permitted as long as there is no traffic from the opposing sides, but not in Montreal, for good reasons.  Anyhow, I am sitting at this red light, no other traffic in sight, thinking I could just go through this and nobody would be the wiser.  Just as I am contemplating this, 5 police cars come from another direction.  Just my luck.  Good thing I didn't make a move.  Yet tonight, I am walking with Kayla and we are crossing, on a crosswalk with the sign for us, and a car stopped.  Just as we were out of the way it ran through the red light on the pedestrian crossing sign.  I guess the rules of the road don't apply to everyone. On another note, I was going through the park with Kayla and we came ac...

Feeling a little blah.  Nadya I am looking at the photo.  Don't know the reason.  Maybe because summer is over.  We get so little of it.  In a way I am happy that it is over and things will be back to normal.  I like the normalcy of routine.  Plus, with everything happening so fast over the next few weeks, my trip will be here in no time.  I am a contradiction, I like normalcy and routine, but hate the repetitiveness of it.  I like my coffee to be ready when I get up in the morning, but hate having to prepare it every night.  Not a lot happening otherwise.  Keep on trucking, my friends. TTFN

O.k.  I know I said I would try to write something every day, but this is making me realize just how boring my life is.  Maybe I will try for every couple of days, or a couple of times a week.  Too depressing.  Today was really quiet.  I got a lot of cleaning done.  Other than that, not much.  It was supposed to rain all day today, but it is 10:00 and still no rain.  Sat out back with a neighbor.  Her ex-husband died a little over a year ago and left his house to their daughter.  She started talking about how her daughter was supposed to be cutting the grass today.  Also on the Labor Day weekend, they would clean the windows on the house and do the garden and clean the gutters.  I reminded her that it was the daughters house and she would do what she wanted when she wanted.  Completely went over her head.  I have often wondered when God died and left her in charge, LOL :-). Other than that, nothing happening....

Not a great start to the day.  Lost my bank card (ATM).  At least I lost it after I got money out of the bank and got all my groceries done.  Will have to go to the bank on Monday and get a replacement.  Cancelled it in good time, too, so no worries about someone finding and using it. Got a little clearing out done today, still seems like a lot of junk to get rid of.  Amazing what you can accumulate.  Nothing much else is happening.  I took Kayla to the canal for a short walk.  She seemed more chipper with the cool weather this morning. Well, I am having a nice relaxing Saturday evening.  O.k. so I don't have a life.  No big deal.  I am content.  Trying to figure out how to save up the extra money I will need to have the private session at the Trust.  Sent them a little donation yesterday to help with the rescue.  Never thought about the cost of these rescues.  Wish I could give more.  Bought a group lot...

Busy day.  Groceries, cleaning, walking the dog.  Weather was weird, beautiful sunshine, then dark clouds and back to sunshine.  A little chilly this morning and not too hot this afternoon.  I like the temperature like that. Kayla seems to be doing much better with the arthritis.  Guess it is the cooler weather.  She was downright frisky this morning. I keep trying to downsize my apartment, get rid of the junk.  It seems the more I get rid of, the more accumulates.  Next week is back to work full time.  Things will start going fast now.  September is always crazy with the classes starting and the new students.  I am down to 66 days in my countdown, so being so busy will make that fly by. Going to do some more cleaning up tonight so I have the weekend free.  Might try to get to the canal tomorrow.  Have a great weekend, my friends. TTFN

I am feeling a little sentimental tonight.  No reason for it, just am.  Maybe it's all the violence going on in London.  Who knows.  But Nadya, I have to thank you.  Everytime I start feeling down, I look at your picture.  This is all it takes to make me feel good again.  Your title of Waitformeeeee is priceless.  I love it.  It lifts my spirits. Starting to get really busy again at the office.  This is good as it makes the days go faster.  I can`t wait to go to Nairobi.  It scares me as I have never traveled anywhere before, but the excitement is indescribable. Anyhow, nothing else much today.  Keep well, my friends.  Keep fighting the good fight. TTFN

I fell off my game last night and was so tired I didn't write anything.  What can I say, first day back after vacation. Work is hell.  Back to the idiots.  I hate having to deal with some new students.  Worse than that, are the students who didn't get into the program they wanted, so they enter through  our program.  Once they do that, they don't even bother to take courses in our program, but the minute they run into trouble, they expect me to take care of everything.  Wasting my time.  Just want to find a dark spot and tell them to fix it themselves. Gained a few pounds during my vacation, so I have decided that every night after dinner, Kayla and I will go for a long walk.  Not too long, about a mile or so.  Better than sitting around watching garbage on TV.  And while the weather stays nice, it is good for her and me. Nothing much else to write about.  Have a great rest of the week, my friends. TTFN

Back to work tomorrow.  Thank the goddess.   If I have a project, I don't mind being on vacation.  But I didn't have a project this time.  It gets boring not having something specific to do. Way too hot and humid today.  Very draining.  We finally got the rain but only later in the evening.  Hopefully it will cool it off for tomorrow.   I know, remind me I said this in January. Noticed that the Trust has not been updating as much as they used to.  I think a lot of it has to do with the Imax Born to be Wild and the Ivory burning.  These have taken top place and everything else seems to be getting pushed aside.  Since the Born to Be Wild was announced, not much other info has been coming through.  I miss all the little tidbits that used to get posted.  I understand that Dame Daphne has had to put in appearances and such, but I miss the background stuff that used to be the norm.  Never thought I would say t...

Not a lot happening today.  We did hit the canal and Kayla went swimming.  It has been really humid here today.  I have all kinds of fans going and they are not helping much.  Was talking to a friend this evening.   Telling her that I couldn't take the heat anymore.  What did she say?  Well, you know, nicotine thins the blood and blah blah blah.   Like what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?   You know, smoking does cause many health problems, but it is not the cause of every problem!  That theory fell through when I told her I hadn't used the patch in a couple of days.  See, You don't know everything. Sorry, just being bitchy.  She is always certain I am wrong no matter what I say.  Told her I saw a couple of widgeons in the pond and she told me it was impossible.  Then she ran into someone who is a birdwatcher and told her there were a couple of widgeons in the pond.  Hmmmmmm....

Some sad news today.  My (not so) little Chemi Chemi is going up to Ithumba in the morning.  While I know this is the best thing for him, I am sad that I won't be able to see him when I go in October.  A little selfish, I know, but he was my first little ele. Didn't do a lot today, this is my last day of vacation.  I still have the weekend but that doesn't really count.   At least I got a lot of little things done.  Going on 8 p.m. and I still haven't had dinner.  The fish is in the oven.  That and a nice pasta salad.  Perfect on a warm summer day.  Woke up with a headache behind one eye.  It pretty much stayed with me all day.  Hate when that happens.  Probably be gone when I wake up in the morning. Took Kayla to the Dairy Queen and got her a nice ice cream cone.  She loves that.  She is actually very dainty when she eats it.  Other than that, nothing going on.  Have a great weekend my fri...

An interesting meeting at City Hall tonight.  They are going to tear down the arena/pool right next door to me and build a whole new complex.  They wanted input from people who live in the area.  It was quite a good meeting, but heavy with people involved with the kids swim team.  But a lot of good ideas exchanged. I am going to have to stop using the patches.  they don't bother me when they are on, but when I take them off, I end up with itchy red welts in the shape of the patch.  Really bothering me.  Even the Benadryl cream is not helping. Three more days and back to work.  Thank goodness.  I couldn't take anymore time off....Actually a neighbor and I (with Kayla) sat out back today.  We had loads of fun.  They blocked off one direction of a major street behind our building, and trying to see people figure out how to navigate was a hoot.  They would do a detour, then end up having to backtrack a couple of blocks.  O...

Watching Kayla today, I have a real gut wrenching reaction.  Each time she gets up, she is hunched and hobbling.  I am hoping when the weather gets cooler, she feels better.  I am gauging her reactions on my feelings.  I am not taking anything for my arthritis so I can gauge how Kayla is feeling.  Sounds weird, I know, but whatever I can take is not good for her.  So I want to be able to figure out what she is feeling. Had a very quiet day.  Nothing much happening.  We did a long walk to the pet store to get Kayla's food.  Sat outside with a neighbor for a while, but other than that, not much.  I did call the fire department today as there are a couple of rooms near me that have me a bit concerned.  It seems these rooms are used as storage for 3 different buildings.  Just doesn't sit comfortably with me. Otherwise, not much happening.  Have a great week my friends. TTFN

It is 9:20 in the morning.  I went to bed around 1 a.m.  Took a bit of time to get to sleep.  Woke up around 3 a.m.  Have been up ever since.  I am so tired and it isn't even noon.  Have tried to sleep, no luck.  Will get a few things done and maybe try to nap this afternoon. Another, lighter, thunder storm this morning.  Today is probably going to be a write-off. In case I do fall asleep early, have a great rest of the week. TTFN

Second week of vacation starting.  Getting a little bored with being home.  Between Kayla and I, we can't do too much.  I'm just sitting here watching the sunrise on the cameras.  Hard to believe I can sit here at nearly midnight and watch a sunrise thousands of miles away.  So cool. We had 3 fantastic thunder storms late this afternoon.  The rain was so hard you couldn't see across the street.  There was small hail too.  Really neat.  My neighbor was down.  I was showing her the picture of Dika and all the orphans.  She said "all I see is a picture, I can't get into them".  She does like animals, but I don't think she would do much of anything to help one.  She is a bit strange. Anyhooo, it is just coming up on midnight, so I have to close down and get to bed.  Have a great week, my friends. TTFN