Paperwork, Dogs and Pests

 Finally, Tanya's applications for Permanent Residency, extended open work permit and extended visitor's visa are complete and sent in. What a nightmare of forms and nonesense. some of the forms for each of them are similar in what is asked for but in a different order so each has to be filled out separately. How many chickens did your great grandmother have in 1932? 

Sometimes there is a place for an explanatory letter, others not. All say if we need more information we will contact you. Yeah, right. The paperwork got me so by the end of the day, I did not want to read anything, write anything, just lay there and wish the world went away. I need a SAD lamp, Seasonal Affected Disorder caused by lack of sunlight. But April is not far away.

At least it gave me something to do when the weather was so cold. It started warming up two days ago. I took Lucky for walks for the first time in a long time. First trip, we walked five blocks north to the railway tracks between us and the dog park. He stopped. I said (in Russian, his first language) Park or Home? He turned around and headed home. A 30 minute walk. 

Yesterday, even though it was slightly colder, he knew where he wanted to go and we went. Tight leash and as fast as I could walk. Never slowed down. Up over the tracks, across the kids' park to the dog park. We were gone about an hour and 15 minutes or so. Soon after we got home, he came down with a temperature. He must have been more chilled than he was ready to admit. All night long, his nose was warm and dry. Came out of it by noon today and was his old self. Just to be safe we didn't walk today. Tomorrow. And in a few more days temps will be in the +2C to +4C range in day time. 

And to top it all off we have been battling cockroaches for the past couple months. At least it wasn't bed bugs. They had to come from the house next door, which needs burning down. We bought powder and sticky traps but were losing, so called in the professionals. Now I know how. A green gel strategically placed brings them out of hiding to eat it and carry it back to their nest to feed offspring. Sticky traps with an attractant monitors numbers. When I would turn the light on at night, the counter would just be crawling with them. They love my Keurig coffee maker as it is warm and wet.  The sticky traps filled up fast. Hardly any left now and another treatment in a few days will finish the job. 

This isn't our first go-round with the little pests. When we lived on Gray Street, the entire apartment block of 12 suites was infested from two suites in the basement. It was like moving twice. Everything had to be removed from all cuboards, storage areas, closets, piled and covered with sheets. Pulled all furniture out from the walls. 24 hours later You cleaned everything and put everything back, then two weeks later repeated the entire process. Our little house was simpler. 

Tomorrow is another day. Onward and upward.