What an incredible day to have to head up around Kootenay Lake for work. I do Mystery Shopper gigs and was recruited to do 2 places in Creston, and 1 each in Kaslo, Nakusp, Trail and Salmo. Today I manage to do one in Creston and the one in Kaslo. I found the fruit trees in Creston interesting this time of year as they seem to be shaped for picking.As it happens my car is too economical and I didn’t have room to put the amount of gas required in. the weather was lovely and the tunes were great. I stopped for a quick picture and came to realize I was stuck following a semi with a load of building supplies. It is a lovely windy road along the lake but not so great when you can’t pass. I made it to Crawford Bay at 2:15 to find the ferry had left at 2 and the next as not until 3:40. It was beautiful though and I went and sat by the water for a while. If it weren’t for the fatc there was no smell of salt air I would think I was looking at the ocean. I took the time call the optometrist and let them know my glasses did not come with tinting as they were supposed to . They are ordering a new pair. I am curious what they will do with my current ones.
It really did feel like old times from my vantage point. I made it up to Kaslo and did the shop there before heading to my friend’s home where he’d prepped for a feast of home made pizza. It was so great to have good food, good laughs, a great evening of games and most of all hugs, endless hugs, just what a body needed. The pie was a hit, phew!
I did enjoy the ice cubes!!
All in all it was a lovely day and I was thrilled to have time to listen to my tunes, a massive collection of randomness.
I think my wee suitcase may be happy to be on a journey finally as well
One year ago today the Province of BC via Dr Bonnie Henry announced that the World Health Organization had declared a Pandemic. Today I watched Dr Bonnie choke up and be unable to continue for the moment during her press conference. She must be exhausted. She and Adrian Dix have been the face of all of this for BC for a year now. 11 days later I decided I was unable to trust in the system of my employers and moved home to work. The bonus today was the relaxing of restrictions to allow gatherings of 10 outside. Emmys birthday is Easter Monday so I suggested to Rae that we have a Sunday Easter hunt and birthday party. It will be 12 with Ashlée and I but 7 are in Rae’s family so I feel we will still meet the criteria.
I have become a judgy cow. I am aware as I speak or think unkind things. I need to put my filters back in place, think before I speak, or rather stop thinking about other people’s business. I called a co-worker tonight to apologize and own my stuff. Of course she was kind and let me off easy.
Today was a lot of volunteer stuff again. But I got enough done to be ok with going away for the next three days. I am prepped for my jobs to do, have even contacted a client in Fruitvale to stop at his house on Sunday and drop paperwork as well as pick up the next round. I have done 4 tax returns so far and all were refunds. I like to tell people they are getting money back.
I came home from work and decided I had a mission to get some projects finished before I leave tomorrow so I took the time to reinstall my ceiling fan to flush mount. I admit to cursing and talking to it. It was heavy and hard and it took many tries to get it mounted but it is now and I think it is wonderful.
And then I decided that Gage needs a pie. I seem to remember that he loves pie so I made a Green Apple pie. It was satisfying to do so.
7 years ago today I began working full time for the Bella Bella Community School Board. 4 years ago I awoke to a large dump of snow that required a snowblower here in Cranbrook. That same day I received a letter that I was accepted into the Bachelors program at the local college. Today I remember all I learned and experienced living in a First Nation, I am grateful for small flurries and no snow on the ground, and realize I don’t need a degree to have what I have and feel successful.
I was reminded this morning that yesterday was the anniversary of the release of the U2 album The Joshua Tree. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the effet it has had on my life. I even got a tattoo to signify how much this album moved me.
I have always joked that some day this would’nt be my favourite song. I suspect however that I will go to my grave wondering what I will miss. I was born with a sense of FOMO.
I had a most extraordinary experience today meeting with the electrician who will be doing the work in our theatre renovation. I was able to say, this is on my dream wish list and he can make it happen. It’s a Tech Directors wet dream. He suggested I look on Pinterest and find my dream booth and let him know. It was funny as we took about 10 minutes before we were speaking the same language and he was calling me Marn. Made me laugh inside. I really want this project to be my legacy after all the drama and issues out of my control in the past. Another thing I had to do today was write a cheque to transfer the money for the grant to our investment account. It was so strange to have to think how to write in longhand 178000.00 Our President, Peter picked up the cheque to go invest it.
The Tech Director position has been challenging as I have no capacity to retain how to run and program all the equipment. I do however have a great ability to see a finished project and was able to point out all the wee things that add up to a theatre to be envied going forward. We will be wired and set for decades to come. It isn’t all about me, it is just my gift to guess what we will need going forward and my ability to communicate well with sub trades. Bonus, prior career building houses. I serve the future and am grateful for the money coming in to make these changes when the theatre is at rest.
I am going on an adventure for work the day after tomorrow and will be staying with a friend on Friday night who values his privacy more than anything else so going forward I will only be referring to his pseudonym, Gage Blackwood. This will allow me to tell my tales without infringing. Truth be told, he has a great personality and I want to shout from the rooftops all he is to me. I shall however respect his wishes and likely barely check in Friday night as I will be playing games and enjoying his company.
I called my Dr yesterday because I woke up to painful abrasions under my breasts from the Mammogram. I was told she was booked up for two weeks but when I mentioned what was hurting the receptionist said she would message my Dr and get back to me. I was called this morning to come in at 3:10 which I did and I was blessed by her caring and reassurance. She told me to put Zinc ointment on and it would heal. I laughed when she said it is like Frank’s Red Hot, she puts that (blank) on everything.
I have been dealing off and on with a complicated client and I guess I stayed calm and competent as she called and asked me to take on one of her portfolios until her new employee is up to speed. We were musing over the fact that there are so few good bookkeepers out there. The last one she had overstated their credentials. I have always said just because you bought a tool belt doesn’t mean you can call yourself a carpenter. So many people think buying software and doing data entry makes you a bookkeeper. I stopped being offended by that and am comfortable in my ability to keep learning and do what I do.
Rae-Anne and I went to Boston Pizza for Pasta Tuesday. We both ordered the same dish: Chicken Mushroom Fettuccine. This is what showed up…
Not sure how mine had all the mushrooms and hers had all the tomatoes. Was tasty though. And it was nice to be out together. Funny that we both found it kid noisy though.
After work I returned to Safeway to pick up my prescription for an antihistamine that has found to help when my inflammation is at it’s worst. Dr S was very encouraging about my lifestyle changes. She said the exercise and Dryish Feb and small changes along the way will be rewarding in the long run and to avoid and serious diets. I used my gift cards that I bought for Gene’s fundraiser and stocked up on groceries. My favourite find was yogurt on sale… called my name, it did.
I sold my old ceiling fan for $5 on the bid wars site. Pretty sure one of the three bulbs is worth that but it was bought by someone I have sold to in the past and am glad she can make use of it as hers broke down. I still haven’t raised my new one up to flush mount but will soon. I just noticed that my Christmas cactus is getting ready to bloom again. It is always so gorgeous when it does. Something else to look forward to!
I believe my kid’s are raising an amazing next generation. Emmy is strong and self aware and caring, and big picture, like her Dad was at that age. The boys are generous and caring and giving. Gene at nearly 14, standing taller than I, asks if he can give me a hug, masks up and doesn’t let go until I do. Tonight after barely settling in after work there was a knock at the door and I opened it to a grinning 9 year old William holding a beautiful plant and wishing me a Happy International Women’s Day Nana! Close on his heals were Lukas and Sawyer with big love hugs to give. I am grateful for them. And that I was one of their choices to gift.
Earlier in the day I got an email that my replacement panel sliding door had arrived. There was a patch on one of them so the store reordered for me. Sean took me to pick it up and like last time we had a good laugh at the lack of common sense. There were no mirrors involved. They were packaged and crated as if there were though, complete with fragile signs etc. This time they uncrated it for us at the store thankfully.
I liked the hand written sign on a chest in Home Depot. Nice gesture
Had a bookkeeper’s win today. I took on a new client for a personal tax return and upon reviewing his prior year so as not to miss anything, I noted his last year was incorrect. I filed this years and got him an extra 1500.00 from last years. As I was leaving the office at 5:40 he and his family showed up with a bottle of Vanilla Crown. Sweet moment!
Can I just say, I love Harry and Meghan. I started watching the Oprah interview this morning, and finished it this evening, grateful that the radio didn’t spoil it as it was a hot topic all day. I was moved several times and admire their relationship. They are classy. They are straight up. And they are having a girl!!! I look forward to finding out what my UK pals think. I also learned that they live in Santa Barbara! May be time for a visit..
I had a great sleep as I chewed a gummy before an early tuck-in last night. Slept until 9 and then was up and making plans for what to do next on my kitchen reno. I worked on the crazy Cats puzzle and then got ready as I had a mammogram at 1 at the hospital. It was odd to shower but not put on deodorant or lotion or anything. The whole process was simple. Had to just think nothing of a strange woman touching my breasts and arranging me just so as the plate clamps me to the contraption. It’s just a regular scheduled one since the last was in 2018. The one before was in a van (motor home)in a gravel parking lot in Bella Bella. I was thrilled to find free parking at the hospital for a change. On the way home from that I stopped at Home Depot and picked up a ceiling fan on sale and some panels to cover the stretch of ugly in the ceiling. Roger then met me there later to pick up primed wall board which we took to his place and cut to size for the wall above the counter and the ends of the cabinet. I came home and after eating decided I would install the fan. It looks great but when I got down off the ladder I realized I should not have used the down rod so tomorrow night I will I install it flush. I do really like it though. It has 3 wind speeds and 3 types of LED lighting, bright, warm and daylight as well as dims. After spending so much time working over my head I was worn out. Am now on season 7 of SHIELD as season 6 was shorter than the previous ones. I can see that the series needed to end as the time jumping stuff is getting silly. Must see it to the end though.
Oh and chocolate whiskey is delicious over ice… just saying.
I was in bed so early last night that I woke early. I sat with my coffee slowly working on the challenging puzzle and watching WandaVision and the YouTube Easter Egg videos. I am sad the show is over as it was very good and entertaining. At some point Rae messaged me that I was invited to her Dad’s with them for late lunch and to bring my side pork from the freezer. That is what we call the delicious bacon sliced from a large slab of pork belly. Bill BBQs it and although not terribly healthy it is delicious. The kids all played together outside and we had a great visit. Roger came home with me to assist with taking down my upper cupboard. I am glad I did as there is some strangeness happening in the ceiling and wall. I think I shall put plates over the electrical outlets and put new panel on the wall and some decorative tiles along the ceiling. I will have to go to Home Depot to see what they have.
When I checked my mail yesterday there was a prepaid postage card to send out. Canada Post put one in every mailbox. I went through the top of the recycle bin near our super box and grabbed a couple more. I sat and wrote them this morning. As I went to drop them at the Post Office boxes I saw another laying on the ground and sat in my car to write it out as well. I love getting happy mail so thought 4 other people may as well.
Enjoyed a break with Keri today, doing a little day drinking. Then everyone was gone and I was at my desk as always. It was my choice though, wanted to get ahead. Got home to notice there are things popping up in one of my gardens. Spring is coming. Made something to eat and started the last puzzle I haven’t done. I gave it to my Mom years ago. Pretty sure it’s been done by someone but my oh my it’s challenging. Too tired tonight, will see what I can do tomorrow.
This morning started out as usual on the treadmill which I will pat myself on the back for doing every week day since February 1st. Good habits have formed. Just as I was finishing I received an incoming Video message and it was 9 year old Will in a spiffy button up shirt. It was his Concour day at French Immersion school. He practiced on me and I was able to pick up enough of what he said due to his clear accent and timing to know it was about his dog Obi. He was so cute and I wished him well. By the end of the day his mom let us know he won a Gold Medal for his presentation!
Terrible screen shot, he was much more handsome than this
I was so happy when I got word that my friends in England received the book I made. They loved it and I love them, win win. Maybe tomorrow I will share bits of my copy with you. I am too tired now as I had an emotional day and became obsessed with finishing my puzzle once I got home. I was glad it was marked on the box that there was one missing. It is sad when you get to the end to realize the piece you were looking for all along just wasn’t there at all.
Something occurred some time ago now that had the means to damage my reputation and lose me friends. Today I dealt with a phone call that stirred up all the emotions around that again and I had to finally reach out to my Ashlée this evening to talk through it all. She has a good perspective and knows exactly what I need to do to let it go and remember that those who love me, love me and I can’t worry about those who don’t. And as the book reminds me, I am well loved, around the world!
I did take time to get my eyebrows done professionally for the first time in over a year and I got a pedicure. She removed the last of the polish that had been put on less than two weeks before I broke my toe and had the nail sewn back on turning it into Throbby Bobby. Ireland, the young lady who did the work created a lovely bit of colour even on Bobby so I will be able to see the growth. It was nice to relax and chat.
It seems like some days have their own plan for me. I started out doing regular things and ended up saying no and can we reconnect tomorrow to too many people. I had a surprise request from a company to help with their year end adjustment entries and GST filing. 5.5 hours later, barely stopping to eat my sub and I was done. The problem was I was logged in to their desktop so I couldn’t really take a break, just had to get it done. And it was weird knowing she could watch as I was doing it. The stranger thing was I could see her email notifications pop up and I saw one from the name partner at the first big firm I worked for in Richmond. I texted the client to mention I had worked for him in the past and then it just was weird as I would see the pop ups with the beginning of responses from him but she must have been answering from her phone as I was on her desktop. Not once, but twice I saw him say that I was quite the character but a great bookkeeper, lol. I choose to take that as a positive. Apparently I have managed to keep my quirky personality along the way. High praise indeed from a Board Member of CGA Canada. Funny the way life shows you degrees of separation.
I made it in time for my nail appointment, the second one in a year. As I am going to see Mark, I had M put on both hands in tribute 🙂
I have found I am less likely to reach out once I am home. It is like I have shields up against communication from the outside. I know that makes some friends feel hurt but ask my Mom, we don’t even communicate very often, I have always been this way. It was easier pre 2007. I am just so concentrated on being connected during the day that I have to draw a line. So I come home to my cat and my puzzles…
The day held a heaviness I could neither figure out, nor shake. I am pretty sure it relates to the pain of others. So many people in my circle are hurting emotionally or physically at the moment, I think I carry some of it with me. I wanted to nap all day.
First thing this morning I read a post about a young man I met through my son. He now lives in my daughter’s suite. I did not know his back story. I remember a horrible situation a decade ago when a toddler drowned in a bathtub. The woman looking after her was charged and went to jail. It turns out that was Isaiah’s mom. He shared a link to a story in the paper and a documentary that shows she was wrongly accused of causing the death. At the time it all happened he was only 10 and had younger sisters. They ended up in foster care as she had to go to jail after admitting guilt or face life in prison. There is an investigation currently into the extreme failings in the case. I feel for every one in this situation except the person who did the autopsy and stuck to their mistake. In spite of it all Isaiah is a lovely young man striving to be his best. I sent him a message telling him if he ever needs a Nana moment, I am here for him.
I did get a great call this afternoon that the theatre had received another grant we’d applied for from Columbia Basin Trust. I am one happy Tech Director now that we have 13000.00 to put towards new sound and streaming equipment and more lights. The best investment though will be a communication system so he stage manager doesn’t have to run up and down three flights of stairs from the stage to the dressing rooms. I am so incredibly blown away by the hard work Maureen and Peter put in to get us money that is out there for the taking. If it is turned down, Maureen just tweaks what was incorrect and tries again. So incredibly grateful for her and Peter.
Yesterday Ashlée had reached out about a potential Mystery shopping tour through the east Kootenay. I guess she decided no and suggested to the recruiter I do it. Christina reached out to me and I returned her cal today. After much discussion and negotiation for remuneration I decided to do it. The missions all have to be completed by the 15th. I planned my route which would necessitate an overnight somewhere. The first request was a lunch meet on Saturday the 13th with my friend in Kaslo and then I reached out to my friends in the Slocan Valley to see if they would be comfortable with me staying with them that night. They of course said YES and I was so happy. They are in an out of the way part of the world and I am able to be safe until I see them so it all works out, especially since travelling for work is allowed. After I contacted my Mark we texted back and forth and I am going to leave on the Friday now and stay at his place. Couch or air mattress, I don’t care, I am just so excited to see him. He is my Sackboy and it has been far too long. To have a platonic friend that makes me laugh, stimulates good conversation and appreciates the little crazy things in life is a blessing. It will be an evening of Board Games and fun. I can’t wait. What a wonderful way to end my day, with tears of joy, and anticipation of a mini working holiday.
Today’s special treat was a call from an old friend on Salt Spring. The advantage of doing personal taxes is that at least once a year I reconnect with people. Kelly and I had a good long chat as I was working on my annual tracking worksheet. It was great to hear his voice and reminisce a little.
Today was a lot of getting ready for the year ahead, making lists, spreadsheets and plans. I also decided to throw part of my savings into RRSPs before the deadline. It’s time for me to go on a budget and start tax planning. No more shoes!
It’s funny, it crossed my mind that it was Marnée Monday. Back in the early 90’s I would bring my laundry and enjoy dinner at the Bennett’s on Monday nights. I had met Sherry in grade 10 and we became fast friends. And eventually along came Dan and they had three amazing kids and their house was always so full of energy and love. It was wonderful to experience. I guess I was missing some of that tonight. I should have let them know I was thinking of them.
I had recorded the Golden Globe Awards and finished watching it tonight. There were some very moving moments between the awkwardness. I think it was the first time I knew very few of the shows. There are now new ones on my watch list. I forgot I have a crush on Christian Slater, lol.
triumphgal 