Some days fly by with many different adventures but none that may be interesting to anyone else. I was at a meeting with a city council member, a city employee and two fellow volunteers to speak about the future of Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society. It was a good example of social distanced meeting issues as it was cool and windy out. After an hour I was feeling it. Got some work done but also spent a lot of time sorting my own stuff. Went to the theatre to set up lights for a dance group of kids filming their routines for a competition. While they were doing their thing I went to Safeway and bought a nice steak and Roger cooked it up beautifully so I could join the whole lot of them over dinner outside. Rae and Roger introduced me to a new game they play on Steam and it was great fun. I hope to play it with Mark since we can’t play Little Big Planet in person anymore. It is called ‘It Takes Two”. Went back to the theatre to shut everything down and then came home to a cat that is acting like I have been gone for days. She had pushed the front blind aside and was meowing at me when I got out of the car. I let her out and she walked me to the mail box and back. I sure can’t figure out why some days are like that. Discovered my neighbor likes puzzles and swapped one. I started it tonight, it’s another Van Gogh.
On April 12th I registered for the vaccine and at 9:38 pm tonight I got a text to go online and book my appointment. The first one available is the morning of May 13th, one month and one day from original registration, but only 2 weeks away!! I can not begin to tell you how excited and relieved I am! I feel as though a big weight has been lifted off. This whole day was such an improvement over the past few. I completed everything for other people that had to be done and filed this month and there are still two days left! That left me time to work on getting subsidy applications filed for several companies which always makes people happy. I had signed up for an ED talk from the Cranbrook History Centre about 4 historical buildings in town, and it was very interesting and informative. I did know all the people involved and it was nice to support them as well. The four buildings were our community theatre building, the fire hall, the Armond Theatre and the old residential school. Peter, Fred, Ferdie and Janice all represented their projects very well. I transitioned from it straight into watching a live stream of Liam Docherty. His guitar skills are ridiculous. Seriously, look him up, his age and talent will amaze you. It was also lovely to recognize all the names rolling by on the credits. I do miss my MusicFest clan and it helps to support the things they do. Missy seemed to really enjoy his playing as well.
I finished the biggest puzzle I have done yet 27×35”!
How do I let go of the overwhelming sense of loss that cripples me this time of year. When my Dad died May the 8th became sad. I was lost in remembery that day of all I had and all I lost. As the years go by I think of him fondly and some days wish he could see me now. In March of 2019 my closest friend and mentor had a brain aneurysm, and on my birthday, Good Friday, that year, I was able to fly down to be with her in ICU. She was able to write some things, communicated with gestures and sounds and even said I love you. I last saw her in December of 2019 in her extended care home in Vancouver. We were still able to communicate with gestures and sounds. She was on the wait list for speech therapy and there was still hope. Leap forward to April 2021 and we have FaceTimed as possible although she hasn’t answered the last few times. I send postcards and notes regularly to let her know I love her but I have such stress trying to keep the chat going now virtually. She is cheery and seems to respond with adamant sounds of positive or negative, stopping on occasion to wipe her drool which shows me she has little control of some things. Her speech has disappeared and I can only assume it is because there was no one to help her in a timely manner. She has COPD and lung cancer and yet breezed through Covid-19. Clearly she is supposed to be here. But why? Is it wrong and selfish to admit it may have been easier if she had succumbed? All I have is memories and today I picked up the phone to ask her a tax question… stupid overtaxed brain of mine, time warped to when she was my rock and I was hers. We were supposed to rock away our old age together! She wasn’t even going to replace her dog Shadow so that we could travel. I am carrying on and have spent so much time in sadness and tears and self pity today but I have to let it out in order to move forward. I think this next step of grief at the real loss of my dear Jackie is necessary. I am thankful for the ones in my life that reached out and helped me through today. (I don’t know how I made it through the fucking board meeting….)
I am guessing it is barometric and tiredness related but I have had a low grade, trying to be a migraine, headache for the better part of the last week. I was fortunate I could focus on just two files with little interruption today as my multi-tasker is offline. I got a call for assistance in the evening and had to just ask them to email me so I could look into it in the morning. I suppose that is fair anyway as it was 9 pm my time. I am working on a crazy puzzle right now that has Larger Size Pieces for East Grip. Finished size is 27 x 35” It is not difficult but large and enjoyable. It’s a library!!
Why yes, I did puzzle a lot of the day away as a matter of fact.. but I had help….
I went to the office to complete a few returns and finish my reports for the Tuesday night Board Meeting. Waiting outside my office was the Rubber Tree plant they were hoping I could bring back to life. I may have been mistaken for the Messiah!
Was getting cold and hungry when I realized it was after 8 so I came home and made dinner and continued watching my show as I did laundry and other chores. Can’t complain, it’s only me that has to live with my mess but I know me, that I have to keep ahead of it.
I am well into the second season of Manifest and have suddenly realized why the lead actress seems so familiar. I have know her since she was a baby!!! Melissa Roxburgh is the daughter of Cam and Shelley. Back in 1994 I was his Pastor’s assistant at Southside Community Church. If I remember correctly, Melissa was around three when Shelley and I were changing our babies together at their house and M said God gave me a brown one and them a white one. She wasn’t wrong but boy did we laugh at the lovely innocent comment. It is strange to see certain looks on her face in the show and see one of her parents in the expression as she is a perfect combination of the two of them. It is also interesting that this is the profession she ended up in as her father was pretty strict about the ways of the world back in the day.
Slept well , up and finished boxing and crating bottles. Met Diane C at the home brew and had a nice visit while we bottled my full batch of Pomegranate Wildberry and half batch of Hard Iced Tea Lemonade. I was grateful everyone there was wearing a mask. Except Bill, he never does but he owns the joint and we have to trust his cleanliness. I also put down two full batches ready May 22 to share with Stacey.
I went to Home Depot afterward to pick up the flooring and shower/tub fixtures for the bathroom renovation. Sean met me there and brought it home in his truck as he was out with the kids and dog. Was nice to see them. It was a strangely disjointed visit but good to see all the Campbells as we even saw Shea at work. After a lovely dinner repeat of last night I decided to use my foot and face masks and mini spa at home while I did puzzles of course.
I got back on the treadmill this morning as I was feeling a bit better. Stopped at the Honda Dealership to get my nuts torqued as the tires were rotated recently. Next stop was the pet store to see about food for Misty as they have a buy 12 get one free program. I was at the door at 9:01 and they open at 9. The lights were still off and the clerk had to go to her car to get a mask. I needed assistance but she got on the phone and 9 minutes later I decided just to get something at Safeway on the way home. It was an interesting day. I only worked on two clients all day which is unusual. I did file maintenance for a lovely lady and subsidy applications for a Society. Both were satisfying and I was able to stop to meet Stacey in the parking lot to receive a grocery bag full of frozen garlic beef sausages from their ranch. I shared with Ashlée and Bill when I saw them on the street later and made room in my freezer for the rest. I like sharing the bounty as I can’t have them over to eat them. I wasn’t as tired today and I feel like my guts weren’t as upset either. Maybe the remedies are working. I did have cereal with rice milk for breakfast and a delicious teriyaki chicken bowl from Hot Shot’s for lunch in celebration of Madison moving onto another job.
I laughed so hard to get a video from Biggin Hill, UK. Those Hearnden’s, God love em they do know how to make me smile. All it takes are supersized pigeons!!
There was lots of drama at the work space today as there was a leak, across the hall from my office, thank goodness. The plumber was working up in the rafters when I left. At one point, Carrie came to me with her cactus that was struggling to live and asked if I could help. Seems I am now the plant whisperer. I took the curled up struggling overwatered Poinsettia and it is growing all kinds of green now. I repotted the cactus and have it on my window sill. She said she is giving me a rubber tree plant as well from home. I hope I can revive it as I was just thinking this morning about how my mom used to baby hers with mayonnaise wipes etc.
I was craving a Teen burger from A&W so while I was at Safeway I picked up $1 off packages of shrimp, an avocado and a couple buns. I had burger patties in the freezer and threw them on my Foreman Grill. May a delicious California Burger.
Tomorrow is bottling day so I spent part of the evening getting ready. Then I started a new puzzle of course! It is big! I signed on and found it is an anniversary! Thanks for remembering WordPress!
Now I think I shall allow myself a special gummy and a good long night’s sleep.
Haha, I totally forgot the subject that was moving me to write. I have been catching up on my evening soaps, and am impressed by how some are handling all the tough subjects right now. Honest looks at Black Lives Matter and the devastation of Covid on businesses and families. I am learning a lot. In spite of sometimes being a bit lecturing I am impressed with the information and how things are handled. Even Chicago PD, the home of getting results at all costs is towing the line. Bad cops are no longer to be entertaining. Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 are tackling BLM. I have a black son, I have experienced his racism first hand. I still have much to learn.
My middle child turned 34 today. People see her as my mini me and in many ways she is but I see characteristics in each of my children, good and bad. She got a healthy dose of each. I have really seen her come into her own this last few years. It was a challenging time with her marriage and all its drama. I watched her hold her tongue and make good choices and finally make the best one for her. She has so much still to accomplish and I am proud of her.
Last night my parcel from PhotoBook Canada was waiting for me when I got home and I was thrilled to take my canvas and hang it on my office wall today. Sack boy playing Pooh Sticks in the 100 Acre Wood. It reminds me of all the good things of that trip and just plain makes me smile. I can’t wait to use my new luggage tag either. i was surprised it was metal as I got it free for my birthday!
The day really was a blur with so much going on and the weather didn’t help as it snowed off and on and my office was freezing. Cindy and Keri got me a space heater, thankfully. I still wasn’t feeling a hundred percent today and had quite the coughing spell after work. Rather like I have Croupe
There must have been big wind as well because I had to run around the yard gathering all the cushions . It was AGM for the Society that puts on Vancouver Island MusicFest and as a coordinator in good standing I am a member. They are the fastest AGMs I have ever been to, about 15 minutes. Was nice to see Doug and Marcy, Sue, Deb, Laurie and other Board members. No time for chat though. Everyone was quite solemn. I was texting Marcy a few questions off screen. I told her I was glad I had moved closer to the kids since all this hit but it was a Sophie’s choice as I moved so far away from them and my other Comox Valley friends.
Finished another puzzle while I watched my shows and had chicken noodle soup for dinner. Feel a bit better. tomorrow is Friday!
I found the last piece after I took the picture. It was funny today when Danika sent me a picture of a puzzle piece that Emmy says is mine… not sure if it is or if she just equates me with puzzles now! This one was surprisingly challenging. I like when the pieces are all different shapes, it adds to the challenge
I was up and at it as usual, getting in my steps on the treadmill and readying Ashlée’s birthday present as the family decided to have dinner together outside tonight before the weather changes. Was all over the place with work, popped over to taste a hard lemonade iced tea I am hoping to bottle on Saturday along with my fruit wine. Started feeling unwell by afternoon and found myself falling asleep at my desk. My throat is a little sore and I can’t seem to shake the extreme tiredness. I went to the dinner but had to leave to come back to my desk for a Board meeting and was grateful as it was an excuse to depart. Today was tough as I had an unsuccessful phone call with a collection agent at the PST department for a client. The woman spoke to me as if I was in the wrong and evading from the get go. I patiently explained the situation and asked for assistance to solve it. She may have been having a tough day and I wouldn’t want her job but the way she spoke led me to hang up on an agent for the first time. That and the April workload that has me exhausted is probably why I feel under the weather. I hope that is all.
Oh dear
Although it was my daughter’s birthday dinner, it is in fact The Queen’s birthday to her. It must be so sad for her this year…
I love, love. Love that my newest corporate client waited until today to sign our contractor agreement. I am now the bookkeeper for a successful chain of cannabis shops and the owner and I had a good chuckle via emails today that this Salt Spring girl found the perfect fit with her on the greatest celebratory day for the industry.
My plants are sure loving my windowsill. It is the first time I have seen the delicate blooms on my spider plant and the rose that Viola gave me is very happy in the sun.
I enjoyed working on non-profit reports with Maureen this morning and then getting a lot done before it was time to meet with another client who gifted me with Sweet Gestures. So thoughtful and I am grateful to have the ability to choose the people I want to work for. I am building my empire with good and kind people. Once I got home I picked up my mail and there was nothing but good in there!! I received a sizable refund from ICBC from my car insurance which will go toward insuring my bike and a parcel stamped Royal Mail!
The contents of the envelope were fabulous. Those Hearnden’s know me very well. To support theatre and be gifted treasures is the best!! I learned that my Ashlée had suggested such a fundraiser over a year ago for our theatre but it was turned down ‘as none of this was going to last’. I still think we should do it! It’s not like I will never use my masks again when this is all over. I feel it is my new frontline protection while travelling, may as well be fancy! I received 3 in the mail that I had ordered from SoClean along with the replacement cartridge for my machine. They may be the best fitting ones yet as the stay away from my mouth.
I had recorded from PBS, the one hour documentary: The Real Prince Philip: A Royal Officer. I really enjoyed it in a poignant way, feeling even sadder for the loss in the lives of those closest to him. Something that stuck with me was that he did not respond to stories about his infidelities as “ To deny rumors was to take part in the rumoring” I think this is a line held fast by the serving Royals.
What an incredible day and I even got lots of work done! I woke up and decided to give myself a break from the treadmill to put hair makeup in. I was quite happy with the result and I even straightened it for the first time in a long time. Felt a little sassy in my tunic, tights and knee high, heeled boots. It was thick ice on the windshield and a small layer of snow but the day progressively got warmer and nicer. Sean showed up with a very nice card and a bottle of Moscato from Diane, and Viola popped in with a gorgeous pink rose bush which now lives on my window sill. Rae picked me up to take me for lunch in the mall parking lot where the Crepe Food truck was set up. We walked along Joseph Creek and even waved and chatted at her mother-in-law, Judy from her top floor apartment at the Senior’s Facility. Walked the lifts right off my boots! Got a couple more hours of work in before the ‘Co-work Crew’ invited me to the Flex space for ice-cream cake. Gave me just enough energy to get through the rest of the day and the immediate tasks at hand – fixing two companies payroll for them. Funniest moment was receiving a what’s App message or three from the Hearnden’s. Honestly, the one that went wrong at the beginning was the best of all. They make me laugh on the regular and fill my tank with love. I went to Shoppers to mail a gift to a friend in the US. I think she will get a kick out of it. I do love finding things that immediately make me think of someone. From there I ordered rolls from Sushi on the Strip. While I was waiting in my car, I received a most delightful message from Emmy. It is so incredibly delightful that I think my 4 year old Grand daughter might consider voice over work! This put me in a most excellent mood to arrive home to a bouquet of daisies and carnations which are two of my favourite, cake, bottle cozies and a crocheted Therapy Chicken named Fauna. Diana really has the gift of gifting.
Now I sit here enjoying my bit of 12 year Bowmore Scotch, musing on all the connections I have out there in the world, the number of people who would at the least feel a twinge of remembery if I were gone. It is good to remember that, when times are bleak, when the brainstorms want to convince me I have no value or purpose and no one would notice if I were gone. I KNOW this is not the truth, it is smoke and mirrors.. delusions of paltriness. And so I shall smile when a musician in Newfoundland, a server in Peru, an artist in Europe, a Triumph rider from the US, a migrant worker from New Zealand, a traveler from Australia, besties from the UK, family and friends from all points Canadian and American, and more, reach out with love and recognition that I walk this planet. What an incredible web of love! ROAR!!
That is it the exact number of days I have been on this planet. The last 392 of them have been solidly in this new Pandemic world. There is so much to look back on. So many hopes that we would have returned to the old ways, but the phrase ‘new norm’ has taken on a deeper meaning now. I suspect I will always feel more comfortable in a mask… or will I? I have always had an obsession about germs so I would mask it in a different way, block the fear out by just living and being. I overrode my fear with carefree indifference, a j’ois de vivre that would allow me to go out and do anything at all. I chose to be a hugger, even to strangers who I could feel really needed one. I kissed with passion and relished being in crowds, feeding on the energy of both. I ate from street vendors and shared meals from questionable kitchens, I brushed my teeth with the water in Foreign countries. I have been blessed with a strong constitution. This past 400 days has upset my equilibrium and I have found myself becoming even more judgy and afraid. Risk assessment levels have increased. I rely on the knowledge that in general fear is based on the unknown. I will only break through when I have jumped back on the horse.. or plane.
This eve of my 58th birthday I once again look to as a New Year’s Eve of sorts. I have mulled on the things I have enjoyed this year and make intention to do more of them. I choose to spend more time one on one with my kids and grandkids, FaceTime/Zoom with dear friends and family, puzzle and garden and craft, walk near water as much as possible, keep my home ready for company and pay attention to self care. I do feel as though it has been a circuit breaker reset for my life. I choose to see that positive but be so aware of the lives lost. I will continue to write letters, send cards and express gratitude. I will continue to work on my attitude as just being straight up is not an excuse for rudeness or leaving anyone feeling judged. I will own my shit and clean up the messes I sometimes make… because it is never too late, there is always time for personal growth and deepening of relationship.
Today I didn’t even get dressed until near 3 pm and then Rae and I planned to go for a walk but it started to rain so we walked in the mall which thankfully was nearly deserted and we were able to even browse in empty stores. We both felt sorry for the shop keepers. We did go to Winners where I picked up a colander to use to hold my clothes pegs. As it turned out it suited my kitchen best and I used my antique one to hang outside.
Such a change of weather from yesterday that it even started snowing!
It was a puzzle day again. I am getting some of the easier ones done as I work toward the Star Wars and Marvel ones…
Off to sleep now, for tomorrow brings the start of another spin round the sun
It was an amazing day all around, even though I managed to roast myself in the unseasonably gorgeous sun.
First there was the ABC Zoom Club where great chats and laughs were had, ending with some interesting debate about The Royal/Non Royals. I agree that airing dirty laundry can be awkward but also it is the way of the world that we are all in each other’s business. It is the nature of entertainment to expose the underbelly, to be a voyeur, to escape, or compare ones own life through observing others. I may be naive some days but I also feel love for the history of the crown and hate for it and colonization in the same breath. It was sad to know today was the funeral of the Queen’s beloved husband and that reality is she will pass in this decade as well.
Next was walking with Emmy over to the playground at the elementary school the boys go to and having Roger and Rae bring them to play. It is an amazing area full of so many options for play and imagination including the newest addition of parkour.
Roger was wearing the best shirt!
From there we walked over to my place where Roger hung the hammocks while Gene raked my yard and Rae and I walked with the rest of the kids to Elizabeth Lake bird sanctuary. It was lovely but Obie was not behaving well, wouldn’t walk on lead properly as usual and was really pulling so Rae messaged Roger to come get him and I walked back with the kids. They hung out in my yard for the rest of the afternoon. We filled the small pool and Emmy especially had a great time. She sure loves playing with her cousins. They were really respectful of not coming into my house except to use the bathroom and Sawyer made a point of telling me he would not touch anything in my house or I could get ‘The Covid’ and die. Will liked his new shorts we made out of his very ripped pants.
Emmy was picked up and the three older boys walked home. Sawyer and I finished washing my car as he and Emmy had started to earlier. When we were done we tried to convince Missy to come in the house but she was still spooked from Obie trying to lunge at her earlier. We left to go to Bill and Deanne’s as they had graciously invited me to dinner there with the kids for my birthday. They have a large enough deck for us to be safe and I use wore my mask when we were close at all. Dinner was brisket which was tender deliciousness, Ashlée had made a cherry chip cake and I was spoiled. The Guedes clan gave me a 3000 piece Marvel puzzle! I will have to expand my table to do it. Ashlée gave me the coolest Jack pointillism picture to do with sticky gems and Deanne made a lovely Llama card.
I came home and finished the last of the Disney puzzle set. I have so many good ones now to look forward to.
Before we went out today Emmy and I got a card ready to send to her Dad as he had left a sock here. She picked the card and the pink envelope and then I talked her through writing her own name. I think she did an amazing job for just turned . I love that her Ms look like hearts.
Another multitasking kind of day. I was thrilled that George the janitor showed up to detail my car. He was looking for some extra work and I paid him to do that. He took great care vacuuming and wiping down the inside. I hope to do the outside tomorrow while Emmy is here. It is supposed to be beautiful and warm. It felt good to turn on the outside taps and water the bulbs. I was motivated to leave winter behind and advertised my snow thrower for free on the Cranbrook Facebook buy and sell. I probably should have charged for it as one minute later a man asked if he could come see and then 4 more people said next. I was happy that it was an older couple though and I explained I was giving it for free in case it didn’t work because it would be worth it for them to spend money to get it fixed. I never bothered trying since 2018 when I bought all the yard gear from the previous owner. Tired of moving it around. I oddly love shoveling and most days you only need to sweep. I also listed a lovely pair of shoes that came wrong size as I have given up finding someone I know who will fit them. I was beginning to feel like Prince Charming looking for my Cinderella. I feel as though I have finally broken the back of April and today I realized there are still two full weeks left. This allowed me to stop and have a glass of wine outside with others in the co-work community, compliments of Viola. It was 21 degrees!! I also realized I do not need to go in to work this weekend. (Insert heavy sigh or jig of joy) Tonight was another puzzle night but I will say it was awesome to have the door open and the smell of Spring in the house. I wanted to have my friends over to complete the invitation to watch a show outside around the fire but by the time it got dark it had dropped to 10 already. Maybe another week or two. My lifelong friend, Julie, sent me a lovely card and two micro towels to clean my glasses and electronics which reminded her of me. Those are exactly my love language gifts. I thrive on the knowledge that people think of me. That is not just ego, maybe a little ego, but mostly just that connection that equals love and a reason to be. Julie has always been team Marnée, even when I am my cranky self and that is unconditional love at it’s finest. I wish she was allowed to travel here and visit again. Soon…
I finished a puzzle and worked on the biggest in the collection. Thankfully, today my cases arrived for my phone. It feels good not to worry about glass slivers when I pick it up! Somehow I have managed to stay up until 2 in the morning and I have an ABC Zoom in the morning as well as Emmy. I best get to sleep!
Today is the 80th birthday of my second step-mother or as she coined herself, the WSM – Wicked Step Mother. I have known her since I was 12 or 13, her first husband and my Dad were best friends. George died from heart failure, my parents split, Dad and Donna got together in my late teens and the rest is history as they say. She is his widow. The day he crashed his plane, May 8 2004 was the day that ended life as she knew it and she would never be the same. Her grief somehow along the way blended deeply into the depression she already experienced. In many ways I lost her along the way. We have had at times a glorious fulfilling relationship full of long hours of intelligent conversation and at others a distance that is so real I think I will never have relationship with her again. Now I fear that she is lost to me but every few months I send a card or a note and hope she gets them and knows somewhere inside that she is loved. I do miss her, she was never a mother to me in her mind but she was generous and loving in her own way. I think she just had so much sadness in her life that she fell into the love of my father and never recovered from his loss. I wish her all the joy she can muster on this day. It is just so sad to see such an incredible mind turn on itself. She was an International Baccalaureate English and Latin teacher at a prestigious school in Vancouver, well recognized by her peers and students. I sometimes wonder and fear if a big brain has a shelf life.
Picked up a new client today and it was so strange talking to him on the phone as he sounded exactly like my friend Kelly on Salt Spring Island. He came to sign some papers and even looked like him! I am grateful to the other bookkeeper in the co-working space for referring him to me. I see myself working with his family for years to come.
I was meeting with a client when a friend came in that knows her as well. She automatically hugged her and then me while I had my back turned at my desk. I literally flinched. We aren’t hugging and it caught me off guard. I think it was just her usual exuberance but I was surprised especially since the client was not wearing a mask. It surprises me still how lightly this is still being taken even though we have 23 cases currently in Cranbrook including a Varient of Concern at our high school. I do feel bad that I responded as I did without saying anything though. I am honestly too tired to filter these days.
Sidebar: my cat is currently stalking imaginary things and racing around the house like a kitten even slamming into furniture. It is quite amusing.
My lovely first step-mom, the woman I call mom, sent me a birthday card with a cheque that nicely covered my manicure today. It was well needed as I had to get it done before I started keying wrong because they were too long. The woman who does my nails was actually chatty today and it was nice. I think I am usually there towards the end of her peopled out day. Today I went on my lunch and that was a nice break in the day.
I had a MusicFest moments type of day as I was musing how handy all my lanyards have turned out to be. I can find one to match every mask and outfit and mood. I use them to hold them around my neck so I am never caught without. Part way through the day I saw the notification that the band of a woman I have known for years as the emcee at VimF had released their single We Were Young. Big Little Lions reached out for pictures of people from their past and I happened to see it and sent along 4 from the 60s and 70s. They used them all!! Check that off the bucket list! I am in a Music Video, lol
Today was another very full day and I knew it would be so I dressed up nice, put on my favourite jewelry, straightened my imaginary crown and headed out. I was remarkably blessed when my friend Maureen dropped off tulips and a card with a pink balloon attached. It was so sweet and she said the white tulips were for peace. All I know was that they made me smile. And then I opened the card! So remember that card I received from my friends on Salt Spring Island? That was from my Mary Lynn who has a bedroom that is a tribute to Audrey Hepburn and I used to have a Miata I called Audrey which ML and I loved to cruise around in with our big sunglasses and pink scarves. Maureen had no idea of that back story but she managed to pick the perfect card.
What a perfect gift of flowers, love and great memories! That definitely perked up my month. I wish ML and I could spend time together like we did in the past. It is a big birthday for her on Sunday and a getting closer one for me on Monday. Now I have my two favorites and she has hers that I was surprised she still has and sent me a picture of via text today.
Got to meet at the theatre again today with the President and The electrician to make clear plans for the Tech booth. We are having issues getting permission to do a big theatre restoration that we received a 178000.00 grant for. The city inspector is saying we need architects and engineers and potentially a sprinkler system in our historical building. This has never come up previously and we are on the last stage of the renovation, the theatre proper… it is frustrating and disheartening. Trying hard to stay positive.
Came home to what was still a gorgeous day, a warm evening. Chatted with the new Neighbour and I am enjoying getting to know her. Came in to find it already very warm. When I left home it was -2 and when I got home it was 18 outside and 21 inside. I did get the quote to finish connecting AC to my furnace and it is just north of 3500 dollars so I will have to think about that. Need to make a budget to pay taxes next year. I can do that as I am nearly done with spending on my renovation and there is no where to go.
I received information that there is a potential stay at home order coming in BC so I booked my nail appointment for tomorrow on lunch. Not sure whether it is true but I am ready no matter what. I have an abundance of puzzles….
I woke up happy and put my hair up to enjoy Bad Robot. My lovely new microwave arrived, I made enough money in the second half of 2020 to owe CRA a hefty chunk, I got a lot of work done and I know my business is successful.
Downs:
I dropped my phone and shattered the back of it, I was lied to to my face, I made enough money in the second half of 2020 to owe CRA a hefty chunk.
Icy snow on the ground this morning, blanketing the gentle but strong plants peeking out of the garden bed, the ground barely thawed, they sprout the first flowers of Spring.
Today I worked hard, multitasked to such a degree I barely remember what I did. I am grateful for the software I purchased to keep time of what I do so I can bill appropriately. I highly recommend Timeular. The birthday card I received last week from Salt Spring Island had the same date stamp as the invoice I finally received today from the business across the street. I wonder where the sorting facility is??? It was a big invoice and I shall be paying for a while but am blessed I had the empty credit card that I could pay for my furnace with. Not sure what I would have done otherwise. I have over time purchased most of the materials to redo my bathroom although I may have to trade in a Gold Crown for the one sheet of plywood I will need to repair the floor. I did get a deal offer from Home Depot for my birthday month so I best take advantage.
My new entry carpet arrived from Ruggable. I love it and am super impressed with the quality. It come in two parts and the top is able to go through the washer and dryer. Did I mention that I love it?!
The day stayed cool and the sun popped out between the squalls of hail and snow. Once again it was Herring weather in the Kootenays. Right on schedule, just a long way from the saltchuck.
Got home late again and made dinner before finishing a couple puzzles. I am doing them without looking at the pictures to make them a little more challenging as they are a style I find very easy. Fun though.
And that was the most exciting part of the day. It was gorgeous sunshine but hovered around zero so my clothes pins never melted in the puddle of water from the recent rain and snow. I posted about it on FaceBook and it started a clever little conversation about that sounding like a euphemism for something naughty which of course went well with my laundry hanging mantra: Bottoms Up, Tops Down.
I went in to work and did Family and Framily tax returns as well as a quarterly file that got some major items off my list. Came home, made some dinner and watched Manifest as I did another puzzle. It was easy and I am enjoying Manifest so far. I like watching it on demand so I don’t have to keep fast forwarding through the commercials. Interesting concept. Wonder where they will go with this story.
triumphgal 