Completed 28 days of no alcohol and today was the first time that I actually wanted to drink, to numb the feels and kick this cold once and for all. I did wake up feeling better than yesterday but I am still tired and phlegm filled and wore a mask most of the day. I was trying to get all I had to do completed at the office before taking Mom to her appointment at 2. I am really struggling these last few days to remain patient and kind with her as she doesn’t seem to tell me what I need to know to help her unless I win the ‘I asked the right question lottery’. After taking nearly half an hour to pick her up, load her and her walker into my car and get her to the Clinic we find out she doesn’t have an appointment there until Thursday. We were supposed to go to Interior Health Unit by the hospital. By now she is nearly worn out from walking and I am concerned about how long it is taking. I did put my name on both the clinic and IH files with my number so they will call to schedule with me as I am her transportation. It is so hard to watch her be able to walk only 10 feet or so and have to rest. She has very poor balance and has to lift her legs into the car. This is a rapid decline in the last couple weeks. She has now had x-rays and bloodwork and circulation tests so I hope we find something that can be solved. I am not good at this, being patient, being kind, when I am ill and worn out. I want to be better. I talked with my Brother to let him know how it is going and had a good cry talking to Rosie. I have to let it go to people who love her as I do. I am worried for her, I am just so struggling to see how she got her new hips and then just sat and wore out. I vow to try not to do the same. I will keep moving, keep healthy. I feel like a horrible human being… I know I am not, I care a great deal. I am just burned out right now.
Was up early having gone to bed just after 9 last night. Stood in a long hot shower to clear my sinuses. I was grateful that I need a CPAP machine as it assisted me breathing, even if I did gurgle often. I took my car to Deanne and she dropped me at the office so she could take Mom to her X-rays and bloodwork. I was not feeling good at all but did manage to file everything and help everyone that I absolutely needed to. The chicken broth was good for me and I was bundled up and on Cold and Flu pills. I left the office for my 3:15 optometrist appointment as I have been waiting a while for it. I wore a mask whenever I was outside my office today and was surprised how many were not bothered by my having a cold. Seems my prescription has changed quite a bit, especially my right eye so new lenses are in order.
It did snow today but after sweeping it away this morning it stayed clear, thankfully.
I am headachy and sniffling, trying not to breathe too deep or I cough up phlegm . I decided to make a decent meal again as I had Tenderloin in the fridge and I didn’t want to waste it. At least I have options for lunch tomorrow.
I puttered this morning, trying to clear my head of this drafted cold. There was nothing that was going to stop me from going to Thom’s funeral at 1. I showered and went to get dressed in my ‘all-occasion’ funeral wear when I broke down with overwhelming emotion as I realized the clothing I was going to put on was what I wore when we were in The Tin Woman together. The show opened with the two of us leaving our sons funeral. It was a beautiful show about organ donation and the way different members of a family handle grief. It has especially deep meaning for Thom as he was the recipient of a donor kidney several years before. The woman who had given him a kidney even came to town for the show. All the feels came back of the wonderful bond we made in the fall of 2018 creating that piece. I chose something else to wear, got myself together and went. I walked up the stairs and standing 6 feet away was Thom’s wonderful widow, Eleanor. She looked over and lovingly said, “There’s the other woman” . We hugged and cried together. It has been a joke between the three of us ever since the show. Thom had won Favourite actor and I won Favourite supporting actress for our roles in that. It was touching to see a display commemorative of that time.
The service was truly one of the best funerals I have ever been at. Thom would have loved it. So much time was given to telling funny and loving stories, complete with an open mic. I did get up after it seemed everyone had had opportunity and told the story of the play and how his love was so honest that even strangers saw when he cared for people. One time he and I and Kimberly, who played our daughter in the show went out for a meal at Denny’s and when we were done the server handed him the bill assuming we were an actual family. We sure had a good laugh over that, as did the congregation there today. Following me, Eleanor gave a last message of love to all and cautioned all married people to never take a second for granted, to hug long and kiss firmly on the lips as you never know the moment someone will be gone. It was very touching and I am glad I was there to honour him. He leaves a big hole in our community.
I wore my Santa frames as he was so great reading letters from kids and taking zoom calls during the 2020 Covid Christmas. His twinkle in the eye came naturally.
I gave my hockey tickets away as I needed to be home, resting and trying to get better. The rest of the day involved puzzling, finishing another one and starting a bigger more complicated one. I made a decent meal and have been watching Lisey’s Story to keep my mind occupied. Tomorrow the sun will rise again and life will go on, but for his family, it will not ever be the same. My heart is with Eleanor who lost her love at first sight husband of over 39 years.
Today was complicated, I had much to do at the office, and needed to shuttle Mom around for appointments before I could head to the Bucks game tonight with Tracey. It seems Mom has something really wrong with her hip(s) and needs to have physio and x-rays to see what’s going wrong as she can barely walk and is using her walker even to move around her apartment. She says she didn’t fall or anything but her legs are swelling now as well. I am glad she let me talk her into going to the clinic. Deanne nicely agreed to take her for her x-ray Monday morning and then for blood work as I have to complete files and with this head cold I just need to rest this weekend rather than go to the office.
The game was high scoring and we won 6-5 against the Vernon Vipers. It was fun to see the pink the rink in action, puck toss and all. I need to get some sleep and be ready for dear Thom’s funeral tomorrow. That will be full of feels.
The Downmost part of the day was finding a bad dent and break in the paint of my car from a door ding. I haven’t even had opportunity to enjoy it in good weather after the work in the Fall to fix it all back to beautiful .
A fun part of it was seeing an actual cat in a backpack!
Best part of the AGM tonight was a couple new people on the Board and the delicious charcuterie and sodas that the Heidout provided. I had to try each of the flavours and I think they were all delicious! Now I seem to have picked up a silly runny nose.. argh. May have been the grandkids or the visit to the clinic. In any case I wish it away!
It was lovely to start my day with my Noom app letting me know I am at the lowest yet, 42 pounds gone. The good news I guess is that I can easily maintain. Just had to eat more fruit and veg to start losing again.
Ok, I do need to revamp my calendar.. today I managed to very much overbook myself but it all turned out in the end. At one point I was training a client over the phone, handing out papers to another in my office and taking texts from a third all at the same time! I raced off to Key City to meet the performers for tonight and get all the things ready then off to the open house at Encore for an amazing tour before picking up my prescription and a bite to eat and back to Key City to emcee for the night. It was a lot of fun and the audience was super engaged. Red Girl opened the evening with The Parsons joining them for the last song and then John Reischman and the Jaybirds performed for the rest of the evening. It amazes me the 5 musicians from California, Chilliwack, New Westminster, Nanaimo and somewhere else in the states, can come together so beautifully. I never think I am going to enjoy some types of music as much as I do. There is nothing like live music and I am thrilled to be part of the group making it happen here.
Of course, one of the best parts of the day was when Rae-Anne said I could go throw a ball on the Encore lanes, something I haven’t done in a long time, and I got a Strike!
I am going to go medically personal so if that makes you uncomfortable… stop reading, see you tomorrow.
I have been dealing with an itch and discomfort since before my last colonoscopy which was in November of 2021. It comes and goes but is generally always there and is rarely soothed except for the time I am in the bath. This morning was so painful that I actually left work as soon as I was done my two payroll and took my current book to sit in the Urgent Care clinic. They had the red sign up that wait times would be long. I was an hour and a half which wasn’t too bad and I got some good reading in. The Dr was lovely and kind and has referred me to the Dr who did my colonoscopy to hopefully do some banding and take care of the original problem. What surprised us both and she even looked it up to show me, was that I have Lichen Sclerosus. It is a thinning of the skin that is very itchy and the pigment is gone completely. I will pick up a prescription for a steroid cream and await seeing the specialist. I probably should have seen someone sooner, especially when Tucks etc, didn’t solve the issue long ago. I guess I should take a look down there more often to be sure all is good. I did make the Dr laugh when I explained that I wanted to see but didn’t want to take a picture or it would end up in my cloud so didn’t know how bad it was. I am grateful for the clinic and the time to go there.
I thought it may be slower out today as the snow was coming down hard this morning. I had cleared the walk and driven away when I realized I’d left my lunch on the porch. It was very frozen when I got home but I was able to enjoy it without the greens after I warmed it up
My order of non-alcoholic beverages arrived today and the first one I tried, the Spice 94 is very tasty. They are zero calories and I am just mixing with sparkling water from my Soda Stream.
I did work late and was thrilled to get home and find that my neighbour had used her snowblower on my drive and walk, very kind. I enjoyed my evening working on and finishing the puzzle I started last evening. These are the ones that my friend Kelly sent me. They go quite quickly and that is a nice change after the 2998 piece one.
So, I guess, I learned today that moss doesn’t always grow on the North side of trees.
Puzzle started, grabbed lunch and took to Moms where we got her address changed for all government services and sent for a code for online access to CRA. These last few months have sent her leaping into the 21st Century. Stopped for a couple hours at my office to do volunteer work. Came home to do laundry and finish puzzle.
Made a nice meal and then started another puzzle and Narcos. I was told I would like it a long time ago and it is true. Some scenes are horrific, no doubt but it is an interesting look at how the Cocaine business got going outside of Columbia. Hard not to see him as the Mandalorian though.
We got up around 9 and had cereal before settling on the couch to watch the rest of Order of the Phoenix and the first half of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was interesting to show him the pics of my trip to England and the places that we were seeing on the shows. He was excited to see I was on the bridge that got twisted especially. We also had a talk about the controversy of JK Rowling and he had several ah ha moments about the fact that the people of colour were the bad guys. I made it clear it was still ok for him to love the HP universe but it was not ok to think the world was really like that in any way. He is a smart 11 year old and I loved the deep conversations and the cuddles. He also loved my lunch of eggs, hashbrowns and bacon that I made so he was well fed before Roger picked him up to head to the cabin.
Not long after he left I heard something outside and my private garbage man had dropped off a wheeled bin. So great! I will use my garbage can for empties now and that solves that problem.
I spent the afternoon clearing my PVR and doing my diamond dot in between doing laundry and other chores. I did pop out to pick up a crispy fish burger at Arby’s which are new on the menu. It was delicious! Lots has been running through my mind as I try to decide when and where I want to go this year….
Picked up Rae-Anne and she came helped me bottle my wine. It is Rocking Raspberry Rosé and I can’t wait to try it in March. Sawyer seemed to like his Disc Golf disc I got him. I can’t believe he is 8 already.
After dropping off R-A and then the wine, I went to get my nails done by Minh. He let me know he will be gone until mid April as the family is all going to Vietnam for a good long visit. I will have to see his brother Lee while he is gone. I do like my Neon nails. They are definitely highlighter green.
I stopped at Superstore before heading for Sawyer’s birthday dinner and to pick up Will for a sleepover and Harry Potter movie night. I had read an article online and there was a brand of non-alcoholic beverages that was highly recommended and available at Loblaws brand stores. I was pleased our local store had them and so far do enjoy the Whisky cola. I also picked up some cute clothes for Emmy as her birthday will be coming next. Dinner was good and exactly what Sawyer requested, chicken, rice and steamed broccoli. Curious choice for an 8 year old but the ice cream cake was also a hit.
After dinner Will and I drove to Western Financial Place where Winter Blitzville was happening. We had some intention to stay until the fireworks but after experiencing a good deal of the excitement we headed back to my place for popcorn and Harry Potter.
We watched the last scene of two HP movies before we figured out where we had left off together as of course Will has watched them all more than once. Turns out I was ready for Order of the Phoenix and we made it half way through or so before we were both tired. We shall watch the rest and maybe another before he gets picked up in the morning. Part of me really wanted to catch the fireworks but it was a full day and we had plenty of fresh air already.
Work is not worth talking about today. It didn’t end on a happy note, from stress. Rae-Anne called to invite me to go out for dinner and my guts were so upset I couldn’t decide where to go so we ended up at ABC. It was ok, not great but I enjoyed catching up and felt much better when I dropped her off. I stopped at home to put my perogies in the freezer that I bought for Lukas’s school fundraiser and then headed to Huy’s for poker league. There were some new people including Matt who I worked with when I first moved here and who now lives in Nelson. It was nice to catch up with him. I did the best I have since starting with these guys, only bought in right before the break which was a record for me and ended up out in 8th place after 3.5 hours for only $30. That’s good valued entertainment with a fun group of people. I am grateful to be included. Poker is interesting. There is a good deal of table talk which I am not used to as it is verboten in other leagues I have played in but it also makes it less stressful. It also makes you constantly second guess, lol. I am starting to see how other people play however and that will only add to my game as we go along. Many of them have been playing together regularly for years. My turn will come.
Is it technically a Dry Feb if I had to do a mystery shop at a cannabis store and bought myself a treat?
It wasn’t the worst day I have had this week but it was busy and I am grateful to have gotten so much done. I did sign up for the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce and their Health Benefit plan. That took a bit of time to read through everything and make a decision as it is more expensive but covers so much more. I am glad I am so healthy that it should be an easy acceptance. It is nice to be home, and I made a nice light dinner and will try to avoid snacking tonight. Just going to watch my shows and do Diamond Dot until my treat tells me that it is time to go to bed.
I was tired this morning, lolligagging in bed when I suddenly remembered that it was Chamber lunch day and I needed to get lots of wok done before I went. I was at the office in good time, got most of my payroll run and then joined others from the building to head to Ella’s Restaurant. I have so been looking forward to going there and it did not disappoint. I like that the chamber organizers mix up the singles to sit together. I was with Cora who is in charge of the Chamber benefit program which I have been interested in and not followed up on and Clint, the pastor from the Alliance church. We had great food and good conversations about horses and other adventures. The presenter was interesting and it was great to say hi to so many friendly faces.
I spoke with the owner and she said that chilis and peppers are not part of Jamaican cuisine so I am looking forward to trying their fried chicken that I hear everyone raving about. Just after I left the office at 7 I saw that an email came through from Cora with a quote already for benefits including short/long term disability which is important especially as a self-employed person. I look forward to reviewing it all tomorrow.
I made a filling but light dinner with leftovers for lunch tomorrow and it was tasty and will give me time to get lots done.
I saw a funny meme today and had to download it. I think I may be Winnie the Pooh!
During the day Danika texted me to see if I would sponsor Emmy and Gwen for the Coldest Night of the Year walk. I am so impressed that she signed them up and donated $50 each to top them up to their goals. It is so important to instill that volunteer/giving mentality. I also hope to see them that weekend. I wish they didn’t live hours away.
There was a strange snow coming down that apparently is called corn snow but was more like a bean bag chair had burst in the mansion in the sky. I dropped off two bags of empties to a lady in need and then swung by Mom’s to leave her a message in the snow. She came to the window when I called her and said, ‘oh thanks’. And that was it, lol. I’m not sure she remembered it was Valentine’s Day.
The day was pretty full and productive at work as usual. Dealing with last minute client issues rather than what I had planned always grinds a little but I got the worst of it out of the way and will be back on the task list tomorrow.
The evening was full of love and lovely people as it was the fundraising event For the Love of Gordon. I worked the bar with Éveline and there was a lot of business for a Tuesday night! Everyone was in such a good mood. There was a silent auction and I bid on and won a picture for my brother’s 60th birthday. That isn’t for three years but when you see the perfect gift for the guy who has everything and the proceeds are going to support a dear friend, you take the leap. My half brother was born in the St Eugene Hospital which later became the Tudor House hotel. I partied there back in the day. It was a crazy biker bar. Once upon a time I was watching a documentary about the building when they said the Tudor house started life as an insane asylum. Of course, as the perfect big sister, I had to call and tease him about being born there. The beauty of this limited edition piece of art is that it is framed in wood from the original building. How special is that?!!! Now I will have to see if I can wait to give it to him for his 60th or if he will get it for his 57th, this year.
Before going to bed last night I made food for today. It was yummy! I can’t wait to have the rest of it tomorrow. Worked my butt off, even took on a new client, sigh. He is very sweet and I have done some work for his son’s company in the past. Had a visit from another client who has lung cancer and it is not looking hopeful. The chemo didn’t work. I am very sad for Peter as he has a young child at home. I had to go out to his car to see him as he just doesn’t have the strength and is on oxygen. Another one around my age… what is going on in this world?!
Straight from my desk to a pretty productive Board meeting as we prepare for the season of Summer Sounds and our upcoming AGM. It will be strange not to have Maureen with us any longer. Just me and the boys… sigh. I did take up the offer to go with them for a visit after and we ended up at Boston Pizza as most places were closed. I was so grateful as I hadn’t eaten since my bowl of chowder at lunch. Some wings and rings filled the void and will provide good leftovers for tomorrow as well. We all laughed and talked about musicians and told stories. It was fun and a great way to end the night but I have to get to sleep earlier tonight as tomorrow promises to be even more full!
I was up and getting chores done and then headed to my shift at Arby’s. It was quite enjoyable as people seem to be in good moods on a Sunday morning. Afterward, I came home and finished my Diamond Dot pic and prepped to start another before heading to Bill and Deanne’s where Lukas had planned a Super Bowl party. Rae-Anne, Deanne, Gene and I worked on a puzzle in the kitchen while the rest were in the living room watching. I did watch Rihanna’s performance and that was good. I like that she was fully dressed too, lol. I think she is one of the most beautiful women alive. The constant hugs from the boys were good for filling the tank, the food was nummy and the company was great. I left just after half time to bring Gene to work and came home to work on my new Diamond Dot and continue watching Nine Perfect Strangers which is oddly compelling and has a great cast.
I like the new kit which was 43.99 regular and on sale for 19.99 when we were in Drumheller. It turns out it is very good quality and even comes with wee ages to put the remainder of the dots in.
Didn’t get to sleep until the wee hours so got up late. Did some chores and then settled to do Diamond Dot project while watching the last of Love is Blind. I find the concept fascinating. Showered and got ready for Tiffany to come over and have me braid her hair in advance of her night out to the Drag Show at the Eagles Hall. I did the initial braids which were complicated by her fine hair but they turned out well and she went home too make buns and use glitter hairspray. I hope they stayed in and that she had an awesome time.
After she left I made English Beef Stew and it was delicious.
I enjoyed it while rewatching the first half of Wakanda Forever before heading to Key City Theatre to volunteer in the upper bar with Sandra for the Burlesque show tonight. There will be so much sex happening in this city what with all the feels stirred up by two interesting shows on the same night. There were a lot of drunk people, and for the first time I had to let someone know I wouldn’t be able to serve them any more. They actually came back and asked us to dump the last one she bought as it was too much for her. Good call. I like working with Sandra, we have the same work ethic and good chats.
Once home again, I watched the last half of Wakanda Forever and was pleased with it. It will be interesting to see how they take the story from here. I should probably try to get some sleep earlier as I have and Arby’s shift from 11-2 tomorrow. I then want to upload a stack of CDs I have gathered from different shows over the last while to my iTunes account so I can enjoy them. It’s been nice to listen to my own music rather than the radio lately. Apparently Lukas really wants us to have a Super Bowl party at his Père and Granny’s house, lol.
First stop was onsite for a client and then buckled down to get as much work done as possible before my 3:30 meeting with Steve to go over our budget and reporting for FPPAS. That took 3 hours but it is done and we both have a good handle on it for next time. I picked up a container of dinner from Rae-Anne, came home to eat it and get ready to go to opening night at The Stage Door, put on by first time Director, Nathaniel Leigh for Cranbrook Community Theatre. The Importance of Being Earnest, set in modern life was really entertaining and had some very clever timing and bits. Ben Phillips was simply mesmerizing and the opening credits were brilliant. Everyone gave very solid performances and I am so glad I went. It was one of the best opening nights I have attended. Afterward, I was trying to decide if I would stay for cake and celebration when I received a text from Jonas that he and Gene needed a ride home. It made the decision for me and I am rather glad as I wasn’t really in a small talk kind of mood. I did have time to chat with a few friends outside who only fill my tank and that was great. Now I am home kicking back and glad to be in my jammies after a long week.
triumphgal 