Last night was nice and balmy so for a pre-Mother’s Day treat, Laura tended to our first ever campfire with our new landscaping. It was nice sitting around the fire pit with the sounds of bubbling water and night creatures all around us.

Today we had Irene out to join us for a mid day luncheon feast of fresh fruits, home made breads, and a baked casserole. To top it all off Laura brought out her scratch Strawberry Angelfood Cake with whipped cream topping. Jaclyn tried repeatedly to call Martha and finally got her chance to wish her and Grandma a warm and happy Mother’s Day. See continue link for a few snapshots.
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On April 21st our little Pride died. He was 12 years old and he basicly died of old age as his organs just failed him. He began to get weaker and weaker and was not eating or drinking. The vet kept a very positive outlook on his illness but I could tell that he was in a downward spiral. We all knew that he was near the end and we were able to say goodbye and prepare for the final loss. He did not suffer and I held him on my lap that entire evening. He literally just fell asleep. Nick had taken the boys to an Icedogs game and he died while they were away.
I have included a picture of Pride sitting in the sun. I bathed and brushed him the day before he died. My intuition I guess. This was my way of saying goodbye. I discovered something the other day that I found to be very interesting. Pride died on the same day that we adopted him.

Sorry Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe next Year.
The Philadelphia Flyers eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 6 of a second-round NHL playoff series Tuesday night. “Boo Hoo!”

Nick took pictures at The Bay today for you. This is a very good set if you are interested and the price is very reasonable. check out the pictures that I have posted. I also ran outside tonight to take a snapeshot of my new birthday set of lawn furniture from Costco.

Brian started at Longo’s grocery store as a customer service “go-for”. He was so excited to start his first job. He will bag groceries, accompany the customer to their car and load the groceries into their cars for them. He can keep any tips. He helped someone load heavy concrete urns, bags of triple mix and a 50lb rock into her car and was rewarded with a toonie. He still has to perfect gathering the carts in the parking lot without smashing into people or cars. He got new black pants and black shoes and Longo golf shirts to do the job.

The Youth Council of Chatham Kent ran a photo contest this month with categories in pride, history, environment and people. I submitted three pictures that I took with the Nikon and today they called! I got two firsts and a third. The prizes consist of a coffee table book that they will be featured in plus $200. Yahoo!

Earth Day was a huge success. The weather cooperated nicely and the ground was not too wet. We were able to pick up 8 bags of trash from Mud Creek. The students saw a muskrat, a garter snake, a red winged blackbird, a robin’s nest with 3 blue eggs and identified the call of the cardinal. All around it was a teachable moment.

This afternoon and evening we are experiencing the thunderstorms, winds and RAIN that the GTO got on Sunday. It was so heavy you could not drive in it. Our pond is so full, one side had a slight spill over, (not that bad). At least this gives us an idea where to build up the slope. The satellite keeps re-adjusting its signal and the APC surge protector on the computer activates.
Hope everybody has plans to “Pitch In” tomorrow for Earth Day. I have all the Grade 3’s heading down to Mud Creek for a community clean up. Pray for clearer weather than today!
Remember Every Day Is Earth Day.

I have a sick dog and a sick boy!
Pride is on his last legs and is not doing well. He is comfortable, sleeping all day and barely able to stand. He has lost his appetite and struggles to drink water. We are hand feeding him and caring as best we can. His organs have high enzyme levels and everything is shutting down. The poor ol’guy.
Steve on the other hand has also been sick for over a month suffering from extreme sore throat, achey joints and spiking temperatures. Guess what? He was diagnosed with MONO yesterday. Picture Link to album.
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Today our landscaper arrived and they started to dig out the pond. The black receptacles are a skimmer and a pump pit. It’s supposed to end up being deep enough for fish survival during winter months. I’m not sure how far they’ll get today because it’s clouding up and forecasted to rain. I’ll post more pictures and info as they progress.
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