Rant

It frustrates me some of the 'first world" issues that money is spent on when so much of the world suffers. Tonight on the news there was a story whereby highly trained professionals are paid to study obesity in cats. For realz. The internet gets all aquiver over partially paralyzed dogs and now a little lamb walking due to specially designed carts for their back legs. There are physiotherapists for dogs. Psychics for animals. How about we spend more time, attention and dollars on the people on this planet living in deplorable conditions?  Lifetimes of suffering. How about we ensure everyone has enough to eat and everyone needing a wheelchair has one before we spend money on what is essentially overfeeding pets and ignoring of the Darwinian principle. Perhaps when we have all done all that we can do to better mankind we then ensure that every joint on our pets is in perfect working condition and we worry about their past lives.

Whew!  That was a bit of a rant wasn't it?

missing

Missing her adorable face, sweet smile, intoxicating aroma, infectious giggle

My Mutha

This is my mother.  At her request no funeral was held.  We decided that we still wanted to come together
which is what we did this past Saturday, four months after her passing. I had gathered the majority of the
photo albums and we spent the afternoon going through them reminding ourselves of her youth, our youth
 and learning new things about Mum.

It was a great afternoon and I would love it if we as a family would gather more.  It is hard.  Everyone leads
 very busy lives.  I have a million children, my sisters have huge responsibilities with their family owned
business and blah blah blah.  It would just be nicer if we weren't coming together because someone has died.

We have vowed to do better.

Gloria Allen

Obituary Guest Book "R.I.P. Grandma." - Danielle Wheatley View Sign Gloria Allen January 3, 1939 - April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 at eleven o'clock pm Gloria Joan Allen took her last breath soon after her loving husband Bill gave her final kiss goodnight. Gloria was also surrounded by four of her children, a step daughter and some of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her passing was sudden, unexpected and met with great sadness, longing and loss. Gloria was born in England and immigrated with her parents and two of her three siblings to Canada at the age of sixteen, became a young bride at seventeen to Tom Wheatley and began growing their family of five children at age eighteen. In 1969 Gloria and Tom divorced and as it was during those times Gloria raised the children primarily independently. There were difficulties, challenges and health scares but in the end Gloria prevailed. If raising five children was not enough Gloria became a foster parent preparing newborns to be received by their adoptive families usually about two to twelve weeks after she received them. It is to be sure that no baby was more cherished and set up with sweater sets so lovingly knit by Gloria herself. She also expanded her knitting talents to outfit the intensive care nurseries with hats and booties. In 1979 Gloria married her beloved Bill (Jack). Together they travelled back and forth to the states and to visit family in BC. They continued to foster babies for a few more years sometimes having two at a time. After they discontinued offering refuge to vulnerable children Gloria volunteered as a "cuddle mum", going into the hospital to hold and feed premature babies. Gloria also was employed with Post Partum Helpers where she supported new mothers as they adjusted to their new roles and babies. After moving on from babies Gloria then volunteered at the Beverley Care Center. Gloria was happiest when she was productive and helping others. She also enjoyed participating in her water aerobics with her friends. Gloria is missed and mourned by her husband Bill (Jack), children Linda (Jim), Pauline (Russ), Patricia, Tom (Lorraine), Darlene and stepdaughters Sharon (Doug) and Shelley (Todd), twenty-seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Gloria was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Lillian (Joan) Burnett, brother Barry and granddaughter Ailish. Surviving brothers are Michael (Zeta) and Joseph (Heather). Forever loved. Forever missed.

All kinds of sweetness

You know I had to get my adorableness from somewhere!

This is the house I was raised in, built the year I was born. When I look at this picture I can remember what each cupboard held and just where everything was situated.

unfortunately I got her adorableness as a child but not her adult beauty

My stepfather

AILISH AILISH AILISH AILISH AILISH

Spell check is forgetting Ailish's name so please indulge me as I remind it.

AILISH AILISH AILISH AILISH AILISH AILISH 

ailish ailish ailish ailish ailish ailish ailish

AilisH AilisH AilisH AilisH AilisH 

AILISH ANGELIA WHEATLEY!!!!!!!!

Remembered, missed and mourned every second of every day

You could totally eat off my floor. Not that you would want to but you could have yourself a four course meal with what's on it. Not proud. Just sayin

This is what makes owning a dog worthwhile....

adoration

Oh to be so adored

Beauty from abroad

One of the teens is in Mexico for a week with her friend and friend's parents.
This is what she sent me last night.
The beauty of her design and the perfection of the pink (Ailish's signature colour) tones glowing as the sun set is just too much.
It overwhelms me.

That picture was followed by this.  Perhaps she felt it necessary as an illustration that she does in fact love and even miss me just a tad.  Her comment yesterday was that she missed the cats and me....equally.   I guess I cannot complain too much as the depth of her love for the felines is infinite.

This is the child crying over how much she was going to miss her cats.  The other one obviously has issues with goodbyes as she was no where to be found thereby missing being scooshed farewell. (she was probably finding a place to poop other than her litter box but I digress...)

A show of family pride for which I am grateful

Cabos San Lucas sunset

Parade Day

Third time is the charm!  I have tried three times to post about our morning at the Children's hospital mini parade yesterday and each time it failed.

The beginning of July is a big one for the city and the folks at the hospital don't want the families to miss out on everything due to an admission or current state of health.  They have a special section set out for kids from the oncology department, families come from the palliative care home on the property as well as the Ronald McDonald House.  Of course those of us in the community lucky enough not to be inpatient are also welcome.

She couldn't really see who all she was waving at but she had her best royal wave going on

With everyone having their own schedules of day programs and day camps I just had three of the little darlings with me.  We had a great time with the fine entertainment and perfect weather.  I am always appreciative of the special events that are put on in an attempt to make things more accessible allowing for participation where perhaps otherwise it would be too difficult.

Cool!

PALS is a big part of the special events put on weekly in the hospital.

When I was growing up the street cleaners always got a big cheer from parade spectators due to the large number of horses that are included.  In the spirit of things they are now 'dressing' up too

Too polite to say but she is not a fan of character hugs this year!

He loves the characters and loves even more having his picture taken

WHAT?!  Anna and Elsa?! (oh and the other girl)  Could this day GET any better?!

I laughed when I took this picture with the look on the boy's face.  

Appears unimpressed being surrounded by princesses

Could he be more handsome?!

Yahoo!