triumphgal

February 28, 2021

I committed to 21 of 28 days sans alcohol this month. I raised 165.14 for the Cancer Society. I made it all the way on my schedule and then had a beverage tonight…. I learned or confirmed that I am not an alcoholic. I like to check in on that every once in a while. I also learned that alcohol is not what is causing the inflammation in my throat. I did learn to enjoy tea and my soda stream.

I slept in, lazed about and then took my recycling to the bin on the way to the office. I wanted to get a jump on tomorrow and do my own billing and recording of income so I can do my own taxes. I fear I will have a big tax bill so I need to get it done and do some proper planning for this year. I found some Dairy Queen coupons in my car that expired today so I decided to have a chicken burger meal for lunch and then swung back on my way home for BOGO .99 deal on Ice Cream Sandwiches which are my fave treat. I appreciate they are trying to cover all their market needs but it’s right there in the name!

I have a client who works for the railroad and she asked me what my name was back when I worked there. It was Perreault. I found and sent her the only picture of me that I know exists from my time with Canadian Pacific Railroad as the first female Trainman/Yardman out of the Cranbrook Station. It was a zillion years ago and at the time I didn’t even realize it was such a big deal, I just needed a job!

February 28, 2021

The day started amazingly with Emmy crawling into bed with me as she was freezing because Sawyer had stolen all the blankets. She cuddled up and we fell asleep again. Not long later Sawyer wandered in and crawled in on the on the other side. I didn’t comfortably fall asleep again but I was a happy Nana. We all got up just before 7 and had breakfast, played video games and watched a movie. At 10 it was time for my monthly ABC Zoom meeting and the kids were delightful as they introduced themselves and Emmy explained the no rule pull my foot game. While we reminisced about our winery tour that a picture had been shared of, I completed my puzzle. I do love these peeps and look forward to seeing them again some day.

All that excitement was followed by leftover pizza for lunch and then Danika came to pick up Emmy. They were really so great together. I got us ready and Rae-Anne picked us up to go out for a day on the frozen Moyie Lake. The ice is still 12 inches thick so snowmobiling and fun was in order. It was good to be able to be out with the whole family and get fresh air and exercise.

I came home and made some delicious scallops and started a new puzzle when I got a terrible news call. My dear friend and Emmy’s Daycare ‘Auntie’ lost her beloved son to an overdose. So heartbreaking. She is truly one of the kindest, most loving and generous people on the planet. I hurt for her tonight. It is so unimaginable and yet this is the third close friend I know who has lost a child to drugs or alcohol. Honestly I am grateful to have been the do as I say not as I do parent. I am grateful none of my children have had to deal with those demons. I am hoping to find a way to support my friend at this time as I know that no platitudes will do the trick. I just want to hug Diana.

February 26, 2021

It was a weird day of walking down memory lane. I spent hours entering data for a company on Salt Spring Island where I lived for 15 years. There were so many recognizable names and my mind would wander off thinking of a good story as I auto piloted through the work. I miss the dear friends from my time in that paradise but I know I would not miss how the island has become. The things I read and reports of homelessness and addiction.. it’s so sad.

After work I picked up Sawyer my 6 year old grandson and my vacuum from the repair shop and came home. Rae had sent along Hawaiian pizzas it is his favourite. Just as it was near to done, Emelia my nearly 4 year old granddaughter arrived. We had a grand time, they played tag and hide and seek and laughed as they entertained GG (great granny Barb) on FaceTime and then Auntie Rosie. It was nice to have some energy around the house but I think poor Missy was starving by the time they fell asleep and she finally came out from under my bed. Promises have been made to have the fun cereal in the morning and play Little Big Planet. I’d best get some rest!!

February 25, 2021

I wonder if I will ever grow out of the dread I feel instantly in certain moments. I received a text from the President of one of the boards I am on asking if I had time for him to come talk to me. Of course I said ‘yes’. then I spent all time up to that arrival running every negative scenario in my head. I hear about imposter syndrome and I wonder if I suffer from that more than I thought. I think a lot of my stress is because I fear that I will forget something, miss a deadline, or disappoint someone. I don’t know why they put so much faith in me. I do appreciate it though and I will always try to uphold all promise. It turns out he just wanted to discuss the spending of the 177000.00 grant w are going to receive for renovation of the theatre and tech booth. So much excitement. When he arrived I had also just finished getting us approved for rebates of GST for 5575.00 from past years. That was money left on the table which we dearly need. A slam dunk kind of day!

I arranged for the Culligan installer who was here the day I had to go to the hospital in December to come and walk me through the maintenance and care of my whole house water softener system. The water pressure had lessened and the filter needed changing so he showed me how. Great service!

The problem with my day was that i did not eat properly and after he left I found myself ready to pass out. I was overheating, and shaky and nearly fainted. I made some food and sat to work on my puzzle. A little while later Diane R messaged to see if I would like to play Scrabble. It is out last opportunity for a while as her son and Sean’s son are good friends. Sean’s son has just been to Calgary and her son wants to get to get her with him tomorrow. We will wait a week or two before we get together again. We are both tired of other people’s actions changing our worlds. But we shall be kind and patient and play again soon as we ended the game with her winning by only two points. It was so good to play, I can’t remember the last time! we drank nummy tea, ate popcorn and danced to my phone tracks. Kitchen dance party!

February 24, 2021

Today I pulled my Ice Jersey off the wall and wore it for the day to bring awareness to Anti-bullying. I realized I looked like I was related to the Hanson Brothers from the movie Slap Shot. Sean has their picture on his office wall so I snuck a pic when I was able.

I worked all day and made exactly 12.50 for me but over $5000 in GST rebates for the charity I do the books for. That, my friends, made it a very good day. At one point Diane C stopped in to see Sean and I was thrilled she stayed for a short visit. I hope she gets well soon and finds her dream job. Keri and I had food fromFamily Thai that I love very much but for the second time my system didn’t. I am not sure what it is in Pad See Ew that my guts hate. It’s so delicious I am sure I will have it again. I got a call my vacuum is fixed so I will have to pick it up. The power head had stopped working and I bought a half price deal through the radio for a full service. That was opportune timing. The other coupon I bought was for spa service. I had an appointment at the end of my day for an hour long rejuvenation massage at New Wellness Spa. It did not disappoint! Alison did a great job in a very relaxing atmosphere. Even the mask didn’t ruin it.

Before I went in I saw the gorgeous skyline and thought of my friend Julie who lives near the coast and her love for the mountains. I took a picture and popped it off in a text. when I came out of my treatment she had replied that my shadow looked like Darth Vader. I can’t decide if I look more Jedi or Sith.

Came home to a relaxing evening with my silly cat and a lovely cup or two of tea as I did a new crazy puzzle. I am making a plan to have my two youngest Grandchildren for a sleepover this weekend. Danika says yes, Rae says yes but needs to talk to Roger. That’s fair. I am ok either way but it would be nice.