Changes...

Yes, you are hearing the sound of crickets. This blog has been very neglected for the past several months for the obvious reason...we have moved out of Canada. Work has sent us back to the USA and after what seemed like a very long time, we have settled into a new house back in the Chicago area just days before Christmas. Moving back to the USA has come with a sense of reverse transition like we went through four years ago upon moving to Quebec. So much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same.

We've returned with great memories from our time in Canada. A few not-so-great memories, but most of those include petty details and the usual government obstacles we would face just about anywhere. We learned a lot in Quebec, Danielle earned a kick-ass high school education and Louis is a Special Olympics ski champion. Paul experienced working in a new culture (and got to ski a lot) and I left with many dear girlfriends I know I'll have throughout my lifetime. I also left with a new appreciation of speed limits in the USA as they really are more reasonable than Quebec.

Adding to the irony of so many things is moving into the new house right before Christmas and thankfully with decent Chicago weather. As the movers were unloading the truck and bringing in boxes I would have to check off the box number and take note of the box contents to tell them where to place the box -- or what I said most often -- "in the basement." After dozens of boxes were labeled "ornaments"I was confused because it seemed like I must have more ornaments than the White House. It was then that I realized "ornaments" to the French-speaking packers must mean "knick knacks" or what I have come to call "crap."

For the record, we found THE ornaments a couple of days before Christmas and the stockings the day after Christmas.

We are happy to be settled in our new home and Duke is trying to figure out "his" place in the new surroundings.  For those who have moved in the past, you know the packers pack anything, including garbage. While looking through yet another "ornament" box to find THE ornaments, I was unwrapping and unwrapping thinking I would find something really fragile, like an ornament, only to unwrap this...

Two of Duke's tennis balls. We are finding balls in every other box. Duke is enjoying the unpacking process even though we put these balls in some random drawer or cabinet which will likely be packed up in a future move. Or they might stay for a while, since we're hoping to stay for a while.

As for this blog. I'm not certain. While the transition has been interesting and our family is by no means boring, I'm going to evaluate after the first of the year and it may take on a new look or a new theme.

Until then, or as my Quebec friends know I love to say....à la prochaine.

This dog....

This dog has been through a lot in the last several days. Long story short...some rapidly growing  lumps on his front paw have been aspirated for testing and a subsequent surgery was initiated this past Thursday to remove as many of the tumors as possible -- there are five in such a small space.

This dog is not a good patient. His discharge papers on Friday said "no running, jumping, chasing balls or stairs for FOUR WEEKS." He broke each of those rules within being home for 24 hours.

This dog is enjoying some dog narcotics at the moment, however they have only slowed him down slightly.

This dog has rocked our household a bit with decisions, anxiety and worry.

This dog enjoyed a trip to McDonalds and a yummy ice cream the day before his surgery -- technically it was his last meal.

You can see the growth on his paw in this photo

This dog has incredible gas thanks to all the spoiling, ice cream and treats he's had  -- and bag of bones our dear friend Cathy LaPorta brought him when he arrived home from the dog hospital. We don't mind the smell one bit.

This dog is receiving excellent vet care in Canada. While some may complain about the human health care system in Quebec, we are pleased with the genuine care he (and we) are receiving by his vet surgeon and clinic. Our bank account, not so much -- we also pay sales tax on all vet care. Ouch!

This dog dog returns to the doctor on Tuesday when the doctors believe it will be confirmed that he has cancer. Fortunately, not the type of cancer that is inclined to invade his system. Unfortunately,  it's likely a cancer that will affect his leg...which is part of his character....a big part of this dog.

This dog, this loyal, floor cleaning, happy, entertaining, sometimes annoying, active, loving, determined animal is part of the family.

This dog is forcing us to make decisions we are not prepared for.

This dog reminds us to enjoy the simple things in life.

The never-ending annoying healthcare issue

I can't even believe to describe how frustrating it is to read the news in the U.S. and discussion about the morality of Medicare, socialized medicine or whatever you want to call it. The part that pisses disturbs me the most is that the politicians and blowhards like Beck, Limpballs, Coulter, Palin and the other clowns are all sitting pretty with plenty of money in the bank and premium coverage for themselves.  As if they know what they are talking about, they love to bash the Canadian system.

I've written about it several times before, but we have no issues with heath care in Canada, thus far after almost three years. None. It's been so much easier to navigate than what we dealt with in Illinois with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Each and every time I spoke with them I was certain I should drive myself to the doctor for a stress test. Here? My real stress test was fully covered by medicare and our private insurance at the old age of 45. And my mammogram? I whipped out my credit card at the last appointment and guess what? Covered by medicare. The receptionist looked at me like I was crazy and I walked out of there feeling like I was shoplifting.

I just read a great posting on Bob Cesca's blog and he sums it up perfectly. Yes, I know he can be left-leaning. But he's right 99.8 percent of the time and he tells it like it is.

From Bob's posting....

Okay...I'm not very good at math, but this pie chart pretty much sums it up.

Is the system perfect? No. Do some people have complaints? Of course. But, the complete article in the link below is a nice summary. I have to say, when we move back to the U.S. some day, I'm not at all looking forward to re-entering the U.S. health care quagmire.

http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/in-defense-of-canada/

Here we go again

Oh Canada crap, here we go again. As mentioned in an earlier post, being in Canada right now can be compared to being a Green Bay Packers fan walking into Soldier field on game day. Is this what Archie Manning feels like when he has to watch his sons play each other?

One Canadian response to the loss to the USA last week

It's no doubt going to be a big game and a perfect ending to these Olympics. 

Here's another commercial we've been watching on Canadian TV. It's funny, but oh so true. In our case though, we get searched coming back to Canada. We're just Americans trying to smuggle  pay realistic prices in the States and avoid 14% sales tax for dog food, laundry detergent, printer ink and Patron.