Fawn Twins

Twin Fawns in my backyard this morning. They were very precious.

A female deer attempted to coax them over the fence.

They were too afraid to jump the fence and follow their herd. Their little voices, sounding little squeaky toys, kept calling their mom and she kept calling back to them.

The herd was well over the fence and moving on. These two little deers doubted their ability to jump the fence ( I knew they could do it--I'd seen them hop/run). They became spooked by hikers and ran from the back to the front yard and down the street. I left them to find their own way back to their mom. Deer have been living up on this mountain top with humans for at least 15 years now--I'm sure they have their ways of reuniting.

It is official, the fall activity guide for Kelowna is out and I am teaching ZumbAtomics, M and F Sept-Dec. I have my line up completed and know all my songs. I finally purchased some dancing trainers and what a gift! They are so comfortable and make dancing so much easier on my knees/hips. I wish I'd bought them sooner. They are the only footwear suitable for Zumba. Might teach an adult class in Jan because 2/week is enough for now considering I'll also be working full time as a painter/student.

Enjoying our new vehicle. The kids voted we name her Picasso--so Picasso it is. It is so much fun driving as she turns on a dime.

Found the most precious Bugg puppy to adopt. A little girl. I decided the Bugg is a perfect companion for Fernando--looks just like him and athletic too so we can all run together. A Bugg is a Boston Terrier/Pug cross. Peter is adamantly against another dog. I am adamantly for one. I have work to do...

Spent last night at Bertram's Beach for a picnic/swim. It was awesome--hardly anyone else on the beach and so relaxing in the evening sunshine. Mist wanted a traditional picnic so I made the most delicious potato salad and coleslaw and we picked up a bucket of KFC. Once a year KFC hits the spot, anymore than that spells trouble!

So onward this weekend to Kamloops to visit my parents and drop off my little ones for some Gran and Granddad time. Might go down to Idaho next weekend to Silverwood and then on to Spokan Washington for a night. Silverwood is a theme park with lots of fun rides and waterpark--went a few years ago and the kids loved it. It's not tacky like most theme parks, it's actually elegant if that is possible. 

Camp Poverty

Mistaya and Sara after 24h living outside on 1$ a day and having to walk 2 km for their water supply. Including a few hours of breaking rocks as "child labour."

Day one of living outside on 1$ a day. It rained the entire weekend on the girls. They were cold and wet. Peter and I were frantic, trying to persuade them to let us dry out their equipment for them. They ate almost nothing: dried ichiban noodles, raw cranberries and water. They camped in our backyard under the overhang to keep dry. Luckily it only got down to 7 oC at night. Still, such a worry. Considering it is swine flu season. I did not want them getting cold and weak from lack of nutrition. So...after 30 h I decided I wanted to pull the plug on their poverty expedition. It was too wet out side, too cold and they did not have enough to eat as their cranberries molded. I came home from a supper party up at M and J's ready to fight them into the house for a meal and warm bed. To my surprise they were huddled in the kitchen, white as ghosts. Apparently, they were lying outside in their sleeping bags in the dark, trying to pass the long cold evening, when suddenly the sound of thundering hooves startled them. A giant buck (horse size) with 14 pt. antlers thundered by, just missing trampling their heads. It was running from the street, through our back yard, into the park behind our home. The shock of a giant animal trampling through their camp frightened those little POPs beyond all.  I bribed them to call an end to their Camp Poverty with promise of Taco Time burritos and ice cream for dessert. They agreed out of post buck-shock.
I can say though, they are two dedicated girls who have suffered cold, hunger, boredom and unexpected wilderness threats. They'll have many stories to tell their Grandchildren. They also filmed their experience--they're using it for their presentation they plan on taking around to all the elementary schools to raise awareness of how many children live in poverty.
My hat goes off to Mistaya and Sara--two amazing little girls with big girl ambitions, courage and compassion.
Such a difficult weekend. Relationship stress. I am a soggy wet old dishcloth. I want to cry--to relieve the stress, but man, I just don't cry very easily at all. And oh, how a good boohoo used to feel so good. Now I get emotional asthma. Yuck. Crying was so much easier than wheezing lungs.
BTW, Tabs and Pip were little darling poopsies all weekend too.