Went to bed gleeful as I had no alarm to set. It is the best part of my Friday and Saturday nights. The relief that I can just sleep and have no FOMO… although, this morning I awoke around 8 and was going to roll over and try to sleep more but I was wide awake in spite of goin got sleep after 1. I got up and headed to make a cup f coffee when I remembered a puzzle I had bid on in a Facebook bid war was coming to the end time of 8:09. I had last bid after midnight and when I looked only one other person had bid 50 cents more 4 hours earlier. I bid 50 cents more at 8:06 and won a great looking Star Wars puzzle.
There is a part of me that thinks I should be reading books and cross stitching but I really am enjoying puzzles as I watch my shows. I went to work and typed a great lot of numbers in and then came home and played with shapes. It just occurred to me that cross stitch is also a combination of numbers and shapes. I guess that is my superpower, making sense of and creating order in a numerical world. Shapes are numerical. Everything has an angle and a specific fit. It is likely the same superpower that allows me to see a well drawn plan and picture it finished in my head. I do that often with words on a page as well. It’s why I love and hate Stephen King in the same read, I have to skip over some bits in a read fast kind of way. That is because I see what I am reading. People will be talking and I have to stop them sometimes. I laugh and say Field of Daisies. It is a joke way of me saying I want to brain erase what I am visualizing.
Today included hail and snow and sun and a lovely safe visit with my friend Diane R. She had some puzzles I had lent her to return and I just miss her. We are making a plan for her to come along with me on my next work trip to Radium once the world has relaxed a bit more. It will be nice to have someone come along.
I was at my office until 8:30 taking care of some client stuff and one of my volunteer obligations for the month. It felt good to get it off my plate. I came home and continued watching Assembly Required with Tim Allen and Richard Karn. I find the series interesting as Tim calls Richard his ride or die, which is creepy and he is often short tempered with him. Anyway, the funny thing is Google must be a sponsor as they ask Google things a few times in every episode and my Google Home answers every time. It kept setting timers.
I finished a puzzle I had been working on for two weeks and then finished two others in 2.5 hours. What fun to be doing different ones!!
The first news of my day was that Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II had died at the age of 99. I had seen the news reels of him heading home from the hospital and thought he did not look long for this world. I feel sad for her as she has known him her whole life and he has been her rock (as she put it). It has been an interesting day listening to all the anecdotes . Jean Chretien told some lovely and funny remembrances. I was happy to see the flags lowered around Cranbrook in respect.
The first task of my day was to take my car to the Honda dealership for its B1 service which was basically an oil change, tire rotation and brake check. I believe the expected amount should have come to under $300. I did agree to adding on the coolant change as it was time and asked them to check my battery as I had experienced a problem with it earlier in the year. I was shuttled back to work and it wasn’t long before I got a call that it needed a new battery. Sigh… when I finally picked it up it was $726! And I knew the bill for my furnace was going to be waiting in the mail for me. Nice that they are so friendly there. Steve left a memo on my file that I can bring it back for a full buff of the finish as well because I am not happy with the extra finish I paid for. It has never looked clean no matter what. I shall wait until the streets are finished being swept.
I left there and went to the car wash so I could relax for a few minutes and scream if I needed to. It is my happy place, just wish the experience was longer. (That’s what she said)
As I was heading to the car wash I noticed the low tire light was on so I went back to the dealership around 4 and decided to call it a day at the office. This has been a very draining week. 21 days to go in April and much to accomplish means I will be back at least once this weekend. I checked my mail when I got home bu there was no invoice for the furnace. There was a very funny, early birthday card from Mark and Mary Lyn. My first thought was that it looked like me and that is what they said inside. Too funny. It is fascinating that a birthday card from Salt Spring Island got here before an invoice in Cranbrook.
Tonight along with my Butter Chicken pizza, I had a lovely Gin & Tonic in a toast to Prince Philip. In 1971, he and his wife attended our 101st May Day celebration in New Westminster. It was a very exciting day for this young flower girl in Queens Park.
Apparently I missed that somewhere along the way they came up with a drug to take if you have HIV and if you take it you will be able to have sex and not transmit it. As a teen of the 70s, the threat of AIDS in my life was far scarier than that of getting pregnant. I just find such gratitude for knowing those who suffer from it now have a chance at a full life. Now if only the same could happen for Cancers and MS and so many other terrible diseases.
Today was an enjoyable shit storm of a day, between meetings with auditors, clients and accountants I managed to file two personal tax returns and migrate three files from Sage to QuickBooks online as well as complete a file for year end. That may not sound like much but it was and it feels satisfying.
Woke up to snow coming down, it melted away between hail storms today. My system once again is letting me know what things not to eat or drink. My Moscow Mule was a definite no tonight. Boooo.
couldn’t help but wonder what the future actually holds when my travel deals have changed from Europe to Alberta!!!
I just saw a news story that made me so sad. The Pandemic is so bad in Brazil right now that they tie two surgical gloves full of warm water together at the fingertips and put a patients hand between them to simulate human touch as they lay in their hospital beds because the staff are so overwhelmed. BC broke all records, averaging over 1000 new cases a day this past week. I am trying not to be anxious and still taking precautions. We have a long way to go yet.
I started using the remedies the Naturopath sold me yesterday and my system is automatically over reacting to anything my guts are sensitive to. I am going to stick to it though. Otherwise, what’s the point. I am suffering a bit though and afraid to go lie down no matter how tired I am. I tried to watch my shows after dinner as I did more of the puzzle. I poured a glass of red wine and barely had any of it before the heart burn kicked in. I regret that choice. I suspect messing with my diet and meds during April may not have been the best choice but I am motivated to solve my health issues. I am as usual filling my days multitasking like a maniac.
This is the longest I have taken to do a puzzle, surprisingly hard
I coined a phrase today. I was concerned about how someone will respond to a choice I have made and as I was explaining it to a friend I said, “they already act like a dick to me, can they get more dicky?” So now I may use that on the regular to get a message across: don’t be more dicky.
This is the nose I found on the carpet this morning, a part of Emmy’s new magnet game. It makes me smile.
Over the last 24 hours I have been approached from three different angles by 5 different people with 7 different companies to do their books. I feel rather committed to the first one and capable of fitting in all but 3. I know I could do them all but I would lose my work/life balance. I managed to make them all happy by suggesting another bookkeeper for the person with three companies and offering to set up books, consult and train. I am overwhelmed by the opportunities but hesitant and need to remember it is ok to say no. I also as asked by a client to help them find a new accountant which is nerve wracking as I do not want to hurt my working relationship with the current one. I also am not good at recommending anyone. I want them to trust my guidance and I rely on others living up to what they promise.
I did take two hours midday to go to the Naturopath, Dr Lisa, that was recommended. She ran a bunch of food tests and sold me some treatments to try to get off the meds and cure the inflammation issue. She wants to ensure it is not my gall bladder releasing bile and causing the problem. I will do what she asks to see if we can narrow it down.
I also look forward to a boost of energy. Exciting things are happening for Fisher Peak Performing Artist Society. The fundraising campaign is going very well. At this time it is very much on my peripheral attention list though. I will do as needed but at best right now I can like and share posts and be grateful for the support we are getting. Got my notice of the AGM for Vancouver Island Music Fest today and it just made me a little sad as we look forward to seeing each other again in 2022.
Ignoring the crooked ones above the door has become a habit as the latch doesn’t catch immediately and the retrying moves them. I am too short to easily fix them. Other than that my view has improved immensely with my daughter’s pictures for sale on the distant wall.
The rest of the staff at my end of the building was off today so it was on one hand a little lonely and on the other i got so many different things done. I dealt with email and texts, completed two payroll, filed tax returns, trained a client on invoicing and got a call from a potential new client. I also wrote out my April birthday cards and mailed the most of them out. CBC had an interview with Mandy Patinkin and they talked about his recent album. I found it on Amazon and ordered it to be delivered to my Stepmother, Donna for her birthday on the 15th, as she is a huge fan.
On the way home I stopped at my friend Brenda’s and picked up some raspberry canes which I planted when I got home. It was such a beautiful day and t-shirt temperature. I tidied around the years before coming in for dinner. I am so tired though and it isn’t even 9 pm so I figured I had better get this done before I go to bed. I don’t know why I fight sleep so much. I am glad I got up and sent Jake on his way this morning though.
It was lovely to hear a young voice when I awoke. Emmy was dressed and ready to get on with the day at a reasonable time. We played with her new playdough Scentos and I was impressed that she thought to put three colours together to create rainbow items.
After a nice egg and hash brown brunch we all went outside so she could try her new bow and arrow set from her Dad. It was a little windy and cold but she had fun.
I didn’t get a picture but it came with a super cute quiver and all. She laughed as she tried to shoot my Jack hanging in the tree. After that we played her version of hopscotch, or follow the leader from paver to paver until she fell hard on the small rocks on one, digging into her knee. Then it was relax with an ice pack for a while.
Hot chocolate and Alvin & the Chipmunks helped immeasurably
Jake took her to see her cousins again and I tidied up and discovered she had made an impression on my new countertop. I can’t even get mad as I am pretty sure that is something I would have thought fun to do as a kid.
Once Jake returned we completed watching the first season of The Mist, only to discover it was the only season, lol. We enjoyed Tacos for two and good chats. It is nice to just spend time together. I had to let go of the stress of wondering if we were doing the right thing, having him here. It was essential in so many ways, changing his tires, seeing his young daughter, catching up with me, etc. I know that I have been pretty strict on towing the line and I am going to keep trying to do so but after over a year it was essential for me to just do family. I will be sad to see him leave tomorrow but we both need to get back to work.
All in all it has been a Happy Easter, but a different one than I used to seek. There was a time when I was a very strict born again Christian, very involved in church. I can’t say that I don’t believe all that anymore but I feel my beliefs have evolved, matured, come to a place I feel comfortable in. I am no longer.. less than, no longer feeling judged. I do believe in God, I do not believe in the fear based religiosity I was once subjected to. It is however, still odd to say Happy Easter in a chocolate bunny loving kind of way. I do want to say He is Risen, it still comes natural and I am good with that too. I love my friends and family no matter their beliefs (except the racist hate stuff) and trust they feel the same and so it is a Happy Easter.
I put my laundry on the line yesterday for the first time this year and it was glorious to slide into fresh sheets, wind dried. I guess I needed sleep as I don’t even remember waking up in the night and I woke up 11 hours 35 minutes later!
Jake went off to get his tired changed and spend time with Emmy. Sean and Aiden responded to my call to “Rent a husband”. It was a glorious day out and we took all the crap out of my yard, wood and recycle to the transfer station, picked up my tub surround at Home Depot before they sold out and then picked up 21 12 foot lengths of Hardi Plank that I purchased from a contractor friend. It is enough for me to side my nasty shed and I got a good deal. I raked the lawn and so enjoyed being outside in short sleeves.
After that was all done I showered and headed to Safeway to pick up birthday cupcakes for Emmy’s 4th birthday that we were combining with the usual Easter treasure hunt that we had skipped last year. I am grateful we are able to have outside gatherings. It was good for my soul to spend time with all my kids and grandkids at one time. Thank to Bill and Deanne and their big yard we were able to grab a a map and a bag of goodies with one person’s name to hide their stuff that we all contributed. I hid Rae’s and Emmy’s. Once we were all done, we got our own maps and bags and the hunt was on. It is always so much fun and everyone gets very creative.
Next was all the fun for Emmy… she really is a doll and all her cousins enjoy her company in their bubble.
The kids made decorated eggs which were super cute. It was also amazing that Judy, Roger’s Mom, got to have a pass from Joseph Creek to spend time with us. She hasn’t been out in over a year. It was lovely to see her even if she got the same Easter present 4 times because her memory is shot. She remembered all of us and that is good.
I was so grateful to spend time with them all but was also overwhelmed by all that energy and came home to relax before Jake and Emmy came back. At one point Emmy and I went and put our Jammies on and had such a laugh when we realized we had the same bottoms. She even felt mine to see that they were soft and fluffy like hers.
I am glad I got my tank filled this weekend as I will set myself aside for the week just to be sure as Jake did come from the hot zone. It will likely be a while before he gets back up here again.
So, once again I am blessed by friends (Campbells) and family (even got puzzles and other awesome things in the hunt) and even got a call from a member of the show crew to sort out the issues from earlier this week. All is right during this Holy Season. He is Risen.
Up and at the weekend chores. Very unimpressed with my ‘Stainless’ set-up. Definitely rusts..
I bought enough hardi plank to side my shed from Brian Astaforoff. Will go get it tomorrow with Sean’s help. Will be interested to get it home in 12 foot lengthens in a short box truck. Just as I was going to leave to meet Ashlée to hang her pictures at the GroundFloor, Jake arrived. We went and spent the afternoon there. Ash showed up with Lukas and we all did our own thing. Ash and I hung the photos for sale, Jake worked and Lukas made awesome fighting men out of binder clips. We had fun narrowing it down to my oversized wall calculator to use as a spacing template.
After that Jake and I came home and I made us Air Fryer chicken over Asian salad. We ate and played crib and watched The Mist. I made caramel brownies and we had it with Lactose free Ice-cream. Such a nice day
Up and at it, fumbled through getting ready without a bathroom vanity and suddenly the furnace guys were here. I dealt primarily with Ryan who was very kind and explained everything they were going to do when I left. I told him they could remove anything they need to out of the bathroom to make it work. Just before I left I decided to move the litter box and cat food into my room where Missy was hiding. As I was leaving the bathroom carrying it, Ryan asked if he should move his tool bag. I nonchalantly said no and as I stepped over caught my heel and fell full force on my knees and elbows, jamming my left pinky finger. I did not however spill the cat litter. I consider that a win. As the day went on I felt more and more sore and had to take a couple Advil. That helped. I am glad I didn’t scuff my shoes as I was celebrating the first day of April, my birthday month, in style, wearing my Dr. Henry Fluevogs
I had to pop into the Dr to see the duty Doc and get my stitches out. I unfortunately forget her name but she was sweet and said it all looked good. It was then get to the office and get things done. I seemed to be completely and regularly distracted. I did manage to get a shite ton of work done in spite of that. I also received a message that there was a report in my health portal. Made me laugh to see my respiratory report describe my results as ‘Grossly Normal” All good.
I received a message from a Theatre friend who had forgotten some things in the booth so agreed to meet him there. It worked well as I needed to go get some lunch after putting out some cords for the show that is postponed crew. unfortunately there were some things that made the Tech Director hat I wear uncomfortable and I had to decide how to deal . I waited until after work and must say I am tired of enforcing rules that no one seems to know about despite reassurances of the contrary. Everyone on the planet has their own agenda, I get it. Those are not always selfish but they also can be communicated in a way that leaves someone less than. I try not to do that but I do and sometimes it happens to me. I will let it go eventually. The soup I picked up at Max’s was delicious and satisfying.
Toward the end of the day I got a call from Jackson’s heating letting me know the guys were done but would be back with the custom cover plate on Monday. I stopped at the liquor store and headed home. I was absolutely shocked into a verklempt state when I got home and found that I had a beautiful furnace that is so quiet I am surprised when I see the money tree moving above the vent. more stunning and causing instantaneous outbursts of gratitude was the fact they reinstalled my vanity!!! Turns out the wall didn’t need to be moved and he needed to hook up a drain line. Must have decide to do me a solid at the same time. I would have had a nightmare putting it back around the new plumbing!! Seriously, I can’t even explain fully all the joy that brought. It was heavy and hard for me to take out on my own last night. To come home to a fully functioning bathroom is marvelous! I will be sending along a thank you note.
I poured a glass of Carménère from the last half of the last bottle from Campbell’s collection, called my Mom and had a good check in before settling down to dinner and a show. The Van Gogh puzzle is challenging and I just keep plucking away at it.
Completely forgot to mention that I got an email from Shoppers and was able to register for vaccine. I will get a text to book appointment. That feels soon!
triumphgal 