Possibility, if only........

This company is for sale! Bryan found it in the paper nearly 3 weeks ago now (beginning of Sept). We contacted our realtor and went out to see the operation. It has a prime location as it is just off hwy#21, north of Wye Rd and south of the Anthony Henday.

It is a nice property of 20 acres. The 1600 sq ft house has been partially renovated 6 - 8 yrs ago and boasts a very large dining eat-in kitchen. The kennels are extremely clean and in, overall, good condition. The buildings are aching for an overhaul and if it is to be brought up to the standards of the newer operations that sit within similar distances around Edmonton, one can expect to spend a min of $50,000.00.

The next issue is that the listing claims the operation has a license for 100 dogs and 60 RV storage units. A quick visit to the county proved slightly alarming as I was informed that Bero Kennels has a license for only 50 dogs, NOT 100 and the license for RV storage is for only 30 units, NOT 60! Also, the license is strictly for RVs, not boat, cars, trailers (which they have stored there now). A call was promptly made to my realtor. One would think that a person listing such a property would be honest about the licenses. What? Do they think that an interested party is just going to believe them? If they did, I can guarantee you the purchaser would win a suit against them in a court of law for fraudulent representation! And they have the gall to ask 1.1million?! At least be up front and honest. The word on the market is that it is not worth more than $800,000.00. This is, of course, much too rich for our blood.

I think the problem the owners are having is that they have poured their entire lives into this business but they are well into their late 70s and the gentleman has been in a wheelchair for the past 6 yrs leaving the lion's share of the work to the woman. She is tired, understandably. He is having much difficulty coming to terms with the parting of his business while she is eager to extract herself from the exhaustion she is trapped within. Can't say that I blame her. They are also refusing to produce financials on the company. Hmmmm. Curiouser and curiouser. If you don't have the financials to support your asking price of $1.1million, you may find yourself forced to lower your asking price. No one in their right mind is going to fork over that much money without proof of earnings. We suspect that, due to their age and poor health, it has been several years since the business has been operating at full tilt and the financials would not be favorable to the asking price.

Our realtor made a call to the listing agent to discuss the discrepancies. The listing agent was none too happy to learn that his clients had not been forthcoming with him. Apparently, they were confronted and the threat to take the property off the market was made. The wife insisted it remain listed and says she will consider any 'reasonable' offer. I ask you, how does a person decide what is 'reasonable' if they cannot see the financials? Old world thinking. What's a purchaser to do? Whatever....like I said, too rich for our blood. But,...a girl can dream, no? Maybe we'll just put an offer in to see what happens. We truly have nothing to loose.

I couldn't help but remember the passing of Michael Landon when it was announce that Patrick Swayze died. They were both stricken with the same cancer and the sad wasting away of their appearance was equally similar and devastating. Patrick was a stand up guy and I admire his dedication to his wife. Many do not know that during the time he appeared to have dropped out of movie industry, he was working with his wife performing ballets and showing top quality horses. That's right, he

was a ballet dancer and a horseman. I can recall a well used picture of him in full ballet attire holding his wife above his head in a classic ballet lift. The strength is obvious. Then, to see him dwindle to a mere remnant of what he was, physically,... such a shame.

I believe, in the end, it was a relief. He kept his spirits high throughout his courageous battle and I think many hold on for family, knowing it will be hard on them when the end comes. So they fight, even when they, perhaps, would like to say 'good bye'. Regardless, in the midst of the sadness, it is a comfort to know he is no longer in pain. He will be missed.

New Ventures

Ok, so I was thinking how life comes in stages. The metephore that occurred to me was that of an actor. Have you ever watched a movie or tv show and had that odd feeling when you see an actor? You know you've seen them in something else but can't quite put your finger on it? Your wheels start to spin and the movie or tv show is progressing on the screen but you can't focus because you're now fixated on 'placing' the face. Or...you know exactly where you've seen the actor before and you have a difficult time believing the new character because the actor's past role is so deeply ingrained in your mind (type casting). That happened to me, for the first time, with Michael Landon. I was familiar with Little House On The Prairie's "Pa" before I ever saw a rerun of Bonanza.

It was weird to see "Pa" as the hot-headed youngest son of a ranch mogul. It took me a while to adjust, especially when on Wednesday nights, Little Joe Cartwright was all grown up with a family of his own about 100 years in the future.

Back to the metaphore - I can review each of the life stages I have experienced and describe, with clarity, the role I played. I've heard interviews with actor's that recall the 'good ole days' on the set of such-and-such a show. They speak fondly of the co-stars with whom they worked, the challenges, the highs and lows of the series/movie shoot. You can sense that far away quality in their memories. Sometimes, that is how I feel about my life. Each stage represents a clear role I played and while I was most definately "me", I feel estranged to the person I was during that time. It is the estrangement caused by time, growth and distance from others who accompanied you during that particular stage.

With this in mind, I pick my way through a slightly overgrown path to a new adventure that will offer me a more self satisfying end. I seek that which will allow me to make a new difference in this world and give me great satisfaction in the process. I aim to open a dog psychology and fitness center. I know... it's a dream, but I will do what I can to pursue it to my utmost. With kids nearly all gone (no rush, Sharayah!), I turn my attentions to a new adventure that, although not as critically important as raising productive self-reliant children, will fulfill me in the next stage of my life. Working with animals may seem frivolous to some, but it is a passion and knowing I can help a dog and the humans committed to caring for it gives me an outlet for that passion. Tonight, I instructed a man in training his dog to the 'down' command. To see them click. Get "it". Work together in harmony. Understand each other without words... I had to smile. It was the only option.

In regards to the role I will play after this one?.... Perhaps I could participate in a spin-off entitled, "Grumpy Old Women"? Or...(if Bryan titled it), "Edna's Day In The City"

Canmore...Again!

Canmore was in my sights again during the last weekend of August. Going away to write. Good friends got to know each other a little bit better and 'self' was waiting to be discovered in yet a new and interesting way. Good meals (Karen bakes a mean chicken breast!), gorgeous nature walks, excellent restaurant, warm vibe, most amazing scenery. Now that I've experienced Karen's unique brand of 'tour guide-ism', I feel I know the town far better than I could have ever hoped. Thanks so much for your generosity, Karen. Your kindness was well appreciated and did much to bolster this tired mom/writer.

Joey Update

It occurred to me as I was scanning my past entries, that those of you who were following Joey's progress may be wondering how he is doing. I did take him in for another blood panel and everything was fine. Dr. Anwar said that, due to the results, there was no need for further concern or blood tests. What a relief! Big sigh. Dr. Sheinbein asked me to contact him as soon as my dad's visit was over so we could schedule a meeting to discuss my Pack Rules business and training. That would be a very good lead for me. Anyway, I just grateful that no permanent harm was done to my little guy, Joey. Thank God for answered prayers.

Dad & Olivia

While Dad was out, Olivia took a real shine to him. The feeling grew to be mutual (Dad is cautious when it comes to dogs as he has been attacked on more than one occasion.) They enjoyed many a good game of fetch and tug of war. Olivia pined for him the day he left. She kept carrying her toy around, whimpering and putting the toy up on the dining room chair he sat in all the time. Eventually, she jumped up on the chair, laid down and rest her chin on the toy. Poor thing.

Welcome to Canada, Dad!

Wow! I cannot believe it has been nearly two months since last I blogged! Eeeek! So much has happened since Aug. I will try to catch up. My dad came out for a two week visit mid August. It was so nice to see him. We did a lot of catching up. He read 9 books (No, I'm not boring, according to him, he's just a super fast reader!). We took him on an overnight to Canmore and Banff Springs Hotel. I love going there. It's like stepping back in time when you walk through the castle. That's right, I said castle. Could you imagine actually calling a structure like that "home"? Sigh----- Anyway, Dad couldn't stay forever and had to go back to hot Wichita, Kansas where, for over a month, it has been over 100 degrees F and never under 90 percent relative humidity. Ugh! That's muggy Wichita for you. Dad enjoyed the cool evenings and balmy days (we were cooking at 24 degrees C - but he felt 'comfortable'. Go figure!) Love you Dad. Miss you. Wish you were here!

Dinner on the last day of Dad's visit (Sharayah and Theo had a previous engagement.) Many stories, jokes and laughs were exchanged. A wonderful way to end a fabulous visit.

We had a delicious meal at Earl's in Banf before heading home. I hadn't been to Earl's in over a year, so it was a real treat...not to mention it was a cheat on my diet. Sorry Dr. Bernie!

On the rapids path at Banff National Park (across from the hotel). Gorgeous!

Aren't we an attractive bunch :)

This amazing critter was napping in a cozy alcove of the castle walls.

The wonder of God's creation - Banff

Look, Sharayah! I took this to try to impress you. Did it work? huh? huh?

Most importantly, we would never have been able to take Dad anywhere if it weren't for Sharayah and Theo. They took good care of all my babies. (left to right- Tucker, Sadie, William, Olivia. The Chis were sleeping at the time of this picture: Joey, Graci, Pixie Wiggles and Molly.) Thank you guys, I hardly worried at all, honest... well, ok...maybe just a bit. Love you.