Final Steps

I wasn't sure if this blog posting should be in this site or the train station site. Seeing as we have sort of retired the other site I decided it better go here, even though it is one of the final steps in finishing up the train station's construction and "beautification". This past week our electrician came and installed the street lamp we got from BC this past winter. One step closer to "It is really done now!". A few more to go - but I'm not telling what they are so you won't hold us to it or ask when such and such is going to get done. This way you will never know! Now our half brick covering our conduit pipe on the front pad in the parking lot is gone!





Now just to bring the flower pots over! This morning, though, we were dissapointed to see our newly planted Lupines around the garbage area chomped off. We saw a HUGE jackrabbit the other day running down the road then duck into Popow's storage yard. I have a feeling there's our culprit! And I thought gophers were our only four-legged headache! The plant pots have to come over though - and if the flowers get eaten we can't do much about it. Maybe being closer to the building they will be left alone. Can always hope!

End of a Long Week

This morning we woke up to sunny skies. That is always a good beginning to the end of a week. No snow on the ground! That is always a good beginning to the end of winter. We had a very tasty lunch at Anna Marie's Coffee Bar in the Memorial Center. That is very much a good way to start a Friday afternoon. Sorry no picture of the inviting lunch spot we tried for the first time - no camera along and nothing online to show you what it it like inside. You will either have to believe us or next time you are visiting ask to go to Anna Marie's for lunch - or coffee. I see they have a coffee and pie special between 2 and 4 weekdays.

What better way to spend an "oh I am feeling so lazy" Friday afternoon but outside waiting for the 2816 to go through town. It wasn't well advertised they were going through. A couple thoughts shared in the group waiting to see was the plan to stop for a few minutes. They must have been behind schedule because they flew right on by. That was disappointing - but we did get a couple of pictures. AND they are supposed to travel back on Monday - not sure when - but we will see them again hopefully.



So if you live in Alberta you can probably find something online somewhere about this trip. Ray popped out for a few minutes before leaving for a meeting at 2:00 to explain a bit more about the purpose of the train running through from Calgary to Edmonton and back to Calgary again on Monday. MLA's were riding the train and somewhere in this trip and probably this weekend is talks about running a CO2 pipeline along the CP rail lines. Still a bit sketchy to me - but you might find out more information than we heard about so far. A good way to see the countryside the pipeline will potentially travel along. A good way to just see the countryside!

The Pitter Patter of Little Feet

We are happy to announce there is the pitter patter of little feet in our house these days! No this is not like the A & W commercial announcing with the "Grandpa Burger" that Peter has the joy of becoming a grandfather. Rather this is to just let you know we have the pitter patter of little feet in our house these days and it's not what you were thinking when you read the title for this blog. We have a visitor. And yes - his feet are little. And yes - they do pitter patter if you listen very carefully!

While Eric and Becky are away to the "sun and fresh fruit" of California we are taking care of their littlest guy - Pookie. Actually his name is Rusty and he seems to respond to that name much more so now. Some things do become unlearned in the absence of the instigator of those habits. And yet - some habits seem to come back quite quickly. He still likes a sip of water from the sink. Sorry Eric and Becky - I know you are trying to undo that one. And yes, a bit of roast does taste wonderful. Again - sorry E & B! Something about a tiny tidbit of roastbeef is much more appealing than the canned variety of meat. And watching the washing machine fill is still a wonderful way to pass time for him.

I must say after the first few days of adjusting he seems to be happy as a clam. Have you ever seen a clam smile? I think by the time a clam hits the plate there is NO smile left, if there ever was one to start with! Rusty has made himself quite at home. He has his favorite spot to sleep on the couch. He has a nice little vantage point to look out into the backyard. In fact, he has two of those. One by the dining room table and one on the laundry hamper in our bedroom. Nothing good comes of removing either of those. After taking the laundry downstairs one day and bringing the hamper back he was quite excited to see it in place again. So much so he jumped up onto it before Peter could put the lid back on. Imagine his surprise when down he went into the 3 foot deep hamper instead of lightly perching on top!

He doesn't look for his buddy (Keira) quite as often anymore. There are still moments though when he watches the back entrance in anticipation of her bounding in to say hello to him. Some things are still important to him that we just cannot provide. They'll be back together in due time, bugging and teasing one another and curling up to have a snooze side by side. In the meantime Eric and Becky can enjoy themselves knowing their pets are in good hands with the parents. And from the sounds of it, Keira is having fun too playing and tearing around the country yard of Becky's parents. Sounds like everyone is having a little holiday!

By the way, do you know how hard it is to get a cat to stand still long enough for a picture when he would rather climb on your lap and inspect the camera?