De-Nesting Diaries: Saturday, March 9th

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues. -Rene Descartes, philosopher and mathematician (1596-1650) 

View from my pillow...how could you not just leap out of bed and get happy?

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  Ayn P Lol my bedroom is like a tree house ...way up high because my loft is on the third and fourth flr of the building.

   Ayn P So my neighbor thinks I am obsessed with laundry and normally I would not think twice about it...I do love my fresh linens....but at the time he stopped me I was secretly wishing for a tiny purse sized washer and dryer for travel that would pass TSA...#Tideanonymous "Hi, my name is Ayn and it's been 30 minutes since I folded something"
  
  

  Ayn P

  Joining my parents in London and Paris this summer! ! So excited #tripbooked

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    Patrick James Dunn You're excited already? Can hardly wait as well since you always stay at such wonderfully expensive hotels on your fancy, smancy expense account that your parents only dream about. Oy Vey! Room Service, Champagne and caviar already!!!
    
    A Jewish  grandmother is giving directions to her  grown
       grandson who is  coming to visit with his  wife.
    
        "You come to the  front door of the apartment. I am  in
       apartment 301.  There is a big panel at the front  door.
       With your elbow,  push button 301. I will buzz you  in.
       Come inside, the  elevator is on the right. Get in,  and
       with your elbow  push 3. When you get out, I'm  on
       the left. With  your elbow, hit my  doorbell."
    
        "Grandma, that  sounds easy, but, why am I hitting  all
       these buttons  with my elbow?
    
        "What . . .  You coming empty  handed?"
    
    

    • 

      Ayn P Sorry Poppa. ..spent all my money on my ticket to London so you'll have to sponsor me via your trust fund
    • 

      Patrick James Dunn Ask your sister where all the trust fund went! After Maggie's vet bills and loft expenses you'll be vacuuming and doing laundry at The Ritz. Guess you won't mind either!
      

      • 

        Ayn P We dream about vacuuming and folding our way across Europe! !! Where do I sign???
      • 

        Patrick James Dunn I've already registered you: CloudsofDustBillowing@Fine.com

  
  

  

  P,

  
  

  Impressive riding stats in the ill winds of West Vancouver. My ride was a paltry 40 kms around UPSY. 

  
  

  Spiegelman was an obsession of Cobby' in his mid teens. We have been meaning to get to the show. 

  
  

  Kerry's aunt in Kelowna is dying and we had planned to visit her today or tomorrow. We got word last night that her condition has declined precipitously. We are told that her family have gathered at her side and we are not likely to see her. Our trip is in question at this time. 

  
  

  May ride today or tomorrow. W
  
  Hi Kerry!
  
  I just learned about the very sad situation regarding your aunt in Kelowna. I do hope things go as well as can reasonably be expected, under the difficult situation facing you and other family members.
  
  On a more positive note, I have been meaning to thank you, (Visitors and loft, [not riding, of course], have kept me busy of late.), for the compliment regarding the snap of Tia Maria and Cora Lee. Glad it turned out. As well, pleased Tia likes the bracelets. In fact we often think of her when away from home, particularly when looking for cards/postcards. We always compare her "works of art" to any of the hand-crafted ones we come across and they need to be pretty damn good, let me stress, compared to Tia's, to warrant purchase!
  
  Again, our thoughts are with you, Kerry. Fondestos, Corinne and Patrick. 
  
  

  

  Hi Giggage!

  
  Sorry to hear about Kerry's aunt. Difficult situation, of course.
  
  Glad you were able to get out for a ride. I trust your knee is not bothering you.
  
  If you do not go to Kelowna, I'm hoping for a ride tomorrow. However, forecast is for showers in the morning and early afternoon, whatever that means! As things stand, with respect to the loft, we will be going over again tomorrow morning but I'm hoping we'll be back by around 1:00pm at the latest, in time for a decent ride, weather permitting. If you see the opportunity to go earlier and your schedule dictates such, do so as I can always go for a swim if not a ride. However, let me know what you think, if you are still in town.
  
  Cora Lee, Chloë, Dusty and I were a the loft this morning/afternoon as I intimated above. While Dusty worked away at finishing off the flooring upstairs, I took my life in my hands and cleaned the large, exposed heating ducts, fan and hanging lamps. All were covered in a thick layer of greasy dust so it took some work to remove the accumulated grime. Tall A-frame ladder, (available to owners/tenants), is a bit rickety so I knew I would need The Sisterhood to stabilize it while I was flailing around near the top rungs, spraying Windex and using a modified Swifter duster to get to parts of the ducting that I couldn't reach with rags and paper towelling. Of course, neither  of The Goils wished to climb the dizzying heights but Cora Lee, in particular, never stopped complaining about the dust and Windex which she claimed cascaded upon her. After first drizzle of grime and cleaning fluid mist Chloë put a paper towel over her Mom's head. While this makeshift "hat" did the trick, (Chloë used her sweatshirt hood.), the sight of it nearly did me in. She looked like The Flying Nun in her habit!!! Too, too funny but not all that amusing when one is ten feet above a concrete floor on a wobbly perch and almost convulsed with laughter!
  
  
  

  

  Still, we managed to accomplish all the "high-steel" work without accident or injury so am more than pleased that this particular chore has been successfully discharged. Dusty estimates that about an hour or so of work is left on the flooring at the top of the stairs. Once this is in we can give the place a thorough vacuuming. The ducting and piping in the upstairs area are easy to reach with just a small step-stool so cleaning them will not be difficult.  Cork flooring in bathroom and new vanity top will be installed early this coming week and a number of spots require touch-up painting as well. New baseboards and some trim need to be painted and installed. Chloë wants to replace a number of the light fixtures so we will probably take them down tomorrow so that the surfaces can be painted before the new fixtures are hooked up.
  
  First thing we did today was remove the large set of curtains hanging on a rod above the large picture windows, facing the North Shore, (Snow-capped mountains looked simply stunning and I'd have loved to have been riding to Seymour Demo Forest rather than finding myself swinging from side to side at the top of the ladder that The Sisterhood kept walking away from to have a sip of latte of Chai tea!), so that they can be either washed or dry-cleaned before we put them back. If all goes well this coming week, we should be able to actually start moving clothing and small bits of furniture by the weekend. However, one final, reasonably time-consuming task involves sanding a few spots on the staircase and then giving it a number of protective coats of Varathane. This might well delay the move by a day or so, depending on when we can treat the wood. Won't be able to use the staircase until finish dries, of course. Plan to give it at least three coats while we have this chance.
  
  
  Back home just in time to see the 9th end of the Howard/Stoughton match. Glenn stole one to go ahead by two going into the tenth. I left as I assumed this would be too much of a lead for Jeff to overcome. Was in the kitchen brewing some java when Clarisse came over to tell me that Manitoba had won! A couple of mistakes, one by Howard's Third, Middaugh, and one by Howard himself, and Jeff was able to draw for three on his last stone! Fortunately for Glenn, he still has another chance to get into the Final. Jeff, however, moves directly to tomorrow's Final. Will go next door, at 5:30pm to watch play-off to see who meets Howard. Cora Lee is out with The Sisterhood so am looking forward to a quiet evening with Catherine the Great!
  
  Talk, one way or tother, in next little while. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste!!!
  
  Hi Kimbo!
  
  Thought I'd try out your new email address, especially since your parents never respond to messages!!!Trust all goes well in Kenton. Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste Extraordinaire!!!
  
  
  Pics: Thursday night: The Sisterhood and The Brotherhood! Mom and Dad, take your pick, of photo, that is!!!!
  
  Greetings!
  
  Are you around and free next Friday evening?
  
  We are coming down from Whistler, and would likely stay over at the Granville Island Hotel Friday night.
  
  Maybe get together and get caught up if it works. Cheers, Gregg
  
  

  

  
  Hi Lurch and Grogg!

  
  Friday is fine. Plan on coming for dinner. Anytime after 6:00pm. Not sure what we will be up to that day, with respect to the loft, so give us a call ahead of time. Am hoping we will be home, (if we even go over), mid-afternoon and if so, perhaps we could play a bit of bridge. Trust all goes well. Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste Extraordinaire!!!
  
  Pic: Redding, on way home.
  
  Hello Former Magazine Roomates!
  
  Trust you are both well! Not even sure which hemisphere Jugos Dom Pedro is inhabiting at the moment!!! At any rate, I do apologize for not responding to the last message about Shelter Point. Did quite enjoy the video and would be greatt to try to attend one of the future tastings if schedule allows. As it is and has been, ever since returning, we seem to be busier than ever. Primarily has to do with working on the loft so that we can finally de-nest Chloë!
  
  First week back Dusty worked on new in-house vacuum and Cora Lee and I tore out carpeting in upstairs bedroom loft area, readying it for new flooring.  Day or so later cousins from Kenton, near Brandon, arrived for three nights after skiing in Fernie. Great visit but coming as it did we hardly had time to unpack before next set of visitors, Tina/Trevor, from Adelaide, skiing at Sun Peaks, arrived last Tuesday. They left yesterday. We had seen Tina in LA on way home as she wanted to see Ayn and Los Horridos again. She had visited them last year as well.
  
  
  

  

  Looks like it will continue to be a hectic week, picking up hardware of various sorts, light fixtures, etc., and then Friday The Millionaires are coming for dinner. They will be staying at the GIH on their way back from Whistler. Hope to play a bit of bridge with Grogg, Clara and Dusty. Flamin' will be up but Sarge is in London, Ont., at the World Figure Skating Championships, in charge of security, until next Sunday.
  
  Trust, as I mentioned earlier, that all goes well in The Naramata. Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio!
  
  Hello Kathleen and Stefano!
   
  Trust you are both well! At any rate, I do apologize for not sending along a message sooner. Thank you ever so much for the Jack Irish DVD. Unfortunately, as it is and has been, ever since returning, we seem to be busier than ever and have simply not had a moment to watch it. Primarily has to do with working on the loft so that we can finally de-nest Chloë! Had a phone message from Zoe and Matt while away so do hope to make contact soon.
  
  Trust, as I mentioned earlier, that all goes well in The Land Down Under. Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste Extraordinaire!!!
  
  Pics: Redding, California, outside our favourite steak house, on way home.
  
  

  

   Hi Rose and Joe!
  
  Trust you are both well! We still seem busier than ever and primarily has to do with working on the loft so that we can finally de-nest Chloë!  Trust, as I mentioned earlier, that all goes well in Penticton. Fondestos from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!
  
  Hi Patrick
  
  Just to let you know our friend Erich passed peacefully yesterday at 3:00 p.m..  According to his stepson Matthew he was vigourous to the end and just slipped away without a murmur.
  
  I had talked to him Thursday and inspite of his ordeal, was quite 'up' looking forward to my visit on Sunday.  He had taken a fall in the bathroom a few days before but only hurt his dignity
  
  I am thankful it is over and glad he didn't have to resort to the phenobarbital potion he was approved to take.  Assisted suicide is legal here and had gone through the process to avail himself of this if he so desired.
  
  Even though Erich didn't want a service or obituary, Matthew has decided to have a gathering of friends in a couple of weeks so that in the time being Nola can adjust.  These past weeks have been pretty difficult for her.
  
  Hope all is well with you and yours.  For me, life plods along and glad that spring is just around the corner. Peace and love Thomas 
  
  

  

   Hello Thomas:
  
  Thank you for informing me of Erich's death. Please accept our sincere condolences and would appreciate it if you could pass them along to Nola. Know that we grieve for her and with her. Sad though it is I am glad to know that died peacefully.
  
  Trust you are well, otherwise.! As it is and has been, ever since returning, (February 17th), we seem to be busier than ever and have simply not had a moment to catch up. Primarily has to do with working on the loft we own and have rented lately so that we can finally de-nest Chloë!
  
  Trust that all goes well for gathering Matthew has planned. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste Extraordinaire!!! 
  
  

  Hi Pat,

  
  

  Arrived home without any untoward drama at 10:00am today (Sunday); flight was quite good really – neither of us slept a wink but the time slipped by quite well!

  
  

  Many thanks again to you and Corinne for your wonderful hospitality; the same goes for Michelle and Wayne and Clara and Dusty – can you please pass on our thanks and best wishes to them from us?

  
  

  Will be in touch when we catch up on some much needed sleep! Ooroo for now Tina and Trevor
  
  

  

   Hello Adelaide!
  
  Terrific that you are home safely! We certainly enjoyed your stay. Too too bad it came in middle of move, etc., but at least we had a good visit. Will pass along thanks to one and all. Haven't seen Flamin' since you left so trust you enjoyed Steveston. Trust you settle back into life at home without much difficulty. Fondestos from Cora Lee and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio, High Wire Artiste Extraordinaire!!!