I am not a deep cleaner on a regular basis, not a slob, but don’t vacuum or sweep often enough. I do like coming home from away today clean house however so I spent a good deal of time today tidying up, sweeping and vacuuming, washing my ruggables, etc. I watched shows and puzzled in between and just made a relaxing day of it. The show that moved me was ‘The Beginning of Life’. It is only on Netflix until October 21st and was on my watch list. I am so glad I watched it. The other ‘leaving soon’ one was ‘Zero Dark Thirty’. It was a little hard to watch.
I made myself scallops for dinner and am relaxed and ready to get some sleep. Lots to do tomorrow in order to leave Monday morning. So looking forward to seeing my friends in Oregon!
I am so exhausted! Today was extremely full taking care of everyone else’s business. Subaru, Mom’s place, quick drive-thru A&W, payroll, remittances, reconciling, party planning, allllll the things. I have not taken time to make a clear plan for my days between Portland and Las Vegas. I do know I want to make it work to stay at the Clown Motel in Topanah (SP?) Nevada. I also have to decide what I want to do in Vegas on the Friday night. Sonia is going to another cirque show, there are many options. Rae-Anne gave a nice shoutout in Slack to Gene and I since we are now done working at Arby’s. She mentioned that he and I covered more shifts for others than anyone. Pretty awesome for a Nana and Grandson, I must say. I did finish my puzzle tonight
I had no intention of making money today as my calendar was full with appointments and free things. I did however manage to fit in a few hours between things so that was good, more off the list.
Before I left this morning, I dug out my bike to give to someone who really will appreciate it.
First thing was a virtual meeting with Lance, from Genex, who we have hired to rebuild the website for Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society. I am very excited about this and our session was very productive.
Next was picking up Judy, my son-in-law’s Mom, to take her for lunch at Arby’s so she could see Rae-Anne and we FaceTimed her daughter, Margot. It is Margot’s birthday today and also the first anniversary of her father’s passing. Judy, who is well lost to dementia, was unaware of that anniversary, so, I just kept reminding her that it was her daughter’s birthday. I am thankful that Rae suggested this as it made Margot very happy and I enjoyed breaking Judy out of the Green home for a spell.
While we were at lunch Jamie, Danika’s dad, showed up. He didn’t always have good things to say about my son so I was surprised when he purposed to tell me that he had been watching Jake’s videos on YouTube and is very impressed with him, that I should be proud of who he has become. I was surprised and grateful.
The next really exciting part of my day was meeting my new Dr. Wolff. We interviewed each other and agreed that we are a good fit. I am impressed with him and so grateful that after 3 years I have my own GP.
The final pre scheduled part of my day was getting my nails done. I do love spending time with Minh and had a short visit with ‘the guy’ as well. I told Minh that it was dealer’s choice and to give me fun Vegas nails. He did not disappoint. I have made a promise that if I win big in Vegas I am to take the bros out for a drink.
Deb messaged me to see if I would like to bowl tonight as they are leaving in the morning. Of course I said yes! They have been looking at properties to build on here and there is hope yet for her and I on rocking chairs together in the future.
While we were bowling I shared with her that I had been chatting with a guy on the FB dating site who is local and she encouraged me to ask him to meet. He is the first person I have enjoyed chatting with and since I am leaving on Monday, I struck out and we are going to try to meet for coffee tomorrow night… eeek!
I really had a better day! I was alone at my end of the building, put CBC on in the background and powered through payroll and remittances, reconciling for clients, and ticking things off my list. At 5 there was a meeting to debrief Ed Fest 2023 and discuss the possibility of 2024. Everyone involved was represented and it was a very positive feeling. I came home and watched Amazing Race followed by The Voice. They are two of my favourites and my puzzle is coming along nicely.
I just remembered that tomorrow will be full of interesting things including… meeting my new Dr! Now that is something to be grateful for and to look forward to.
I had a shite day. Well, up until I got to my appointment for a luxury pedicure at Creative Souls. I had bought a coupon on the Half Price Deals through the radio station. Melissa pampered me, spent 1.75 hours on my feet and lower legs. I came away with pretty polish on soft feet and a much lowered blood pressure. I will definitely be back.
Once I got home after popping into Safeway for a few things, I put the cover back on my chair padding and am so happy how it came out from the Dry Cleaners. It is more comfortable than the cushion that came with it.
The rain is pounding down, which is good for the environment, but I am glad to look ahead to when I am to leave and it should be nice for driving.
I have slowly been getting a pile of things together to take on the journey, thinking on what clothes and shoes to bring, etc. It is easier since I am driving.
Today was Cindy’s 50th and the office decorated and got a cake. I am glad they made her feel special.
I had a very productive day at the office, ran out at 3:30 to get Moms pills, get transfer papers for her car, arrange to pick up her summer tires stored at Subaru, and have a quick visit, paying some bills while I was there. I just made it back to the office when I got a call from Rae to come to Encore for some wine tasting. The Northstar rep was there and had some adult juice boxes and ciders to try. I did enjoy the wines, found two of the 4 ciders to be ones I would buy regularly, and two on occasion. Turns out Leah is the Kootenay Rep for Salt Spring Wild Cider. We took a pic together and sent it to one of the owners… my friend Gerta!! Everyone had to leave and I was left there with the half finished ciders and a pretzel only 20 minutes after I got there. I decided not to go back to the office and ordered a Shrimp Taco salad and relaxed. When I left, I found one Size 8 shoe just mid walk out of the entrance, and the other by the bike rack beside the entrance…. People ARE weird.
I worked on my puzzle and watched 90 Day and Sister Wives. Had a wee ‘good’ cookie, and am heading off to bed.
Got up and ready for a visit from Danika and the girls. They brought A&W breakfast and we had a nice visit. I sent home my heavy bag stand for Malcolm which got me in full swing to get the sheds organized and the jeep put to bed for the winter. I looked at the long range forecast and with my time away coming up there won’t likely be much time to drive it. I think it will be safer put away. Tracey helped me so I could tarp over the shed as it seems to be flaking and I don’t want the tarp to break or leak with the snowload. I also sorted all the things that need to go to the transfer centre and will take it when next I have truck help. The fun part was doing my annual Halloween install to which I added Jack Skellington this year. I was done by noon and tired out so settled in with a new puzzle. Mid afternoon, Rae called to see if I could walk across the park and get Sawyer. It seems he was at a birthday party and was hit in the eye by the birthday boy. The kids were all being sent home. I walked over and got him and we played a bit of Little Big Planet until his Mom came to get him. He is a sweet kid. I enjoy his company. Rae invited me to turkey dinner but I have had a bit of a headache and just wanted to lay low. I finished my puzzle and am watching the limited series, Painkiller. It is quite the look at the oxy problem and how it came to be.
Rae and Ash are going to pick up Roger’s Mom, Judy and bring her to the Joseph Creek Thanksgiving while I am gone. This makes me happy for all of them.
Auntie Trish messaged me that she got Covid on the cruise. I am glad I didn’t go!
I was up early and off to Balment Park to volunteer for set up and tear down of the Beer Festival. I am glad I went and was there for 8:45 to do my 9-1 shift which was to be followed by 2-6. As I was the only one who signed up for the set up I was lucky to work with the 6 employees; Rebecca, Ryan, Ken, Gord, Matthew and Benji. I hung signs, set up chairs, organized the merch and got ready for it to open. As it happened they needed me to pour beer for the out of province beers alongside Mike. I had the three to concentrate on; Chilly Tins, Out of the Gate and Shumei IPA. Mike looked after the Stouts and between us we covered the sours. I wish I had counted how many I poured. Killed a keg of the Shumei. It was extremely popular.Everyone was in such a good mood. The weather changed a lot but didn’t rain again at least. I was actually surprised at the turn out, and the time went by quickly. I saw so many familiar faces and I admit, had some fun flirty moments too. After it was shut down at 5, we poured the last of the beer into pitchers and the employees and several volunteers hung out and enjoyed a few. Honestly I wasn’t too thirsty for beer after pouring for hours. The guys were so lovely and thankful that I stayed and worked all day and hope we will do this again next year. This is a long time thing in Victoria and this was the tester for taking it on the road. I think it was a big success.
Ken
I had a great conversation with Glen and he is a long time attendee at MusicFest. He may come and volunteer next year depending what his wife thinks, lol. They usually camp together, but I would certainly welcome him to my crew.
Got home and made some dinner, puzzled a bit and watched my show.
Today I was rudely awoken before 5:30 am by Missy growling and chasing the neighbourhood Tom cat out of the house. It may be time to get the trap and set it in the yard, keeping Missy in and then take it to the SPCA. I have told the owner that he is coming in and eating my cat’s food to no avail.
The day was full of work for free and some for money. I created invitations for the FPPAS end of year celebration on Paperless Post and sent them out to 76 people. It took no time at all for quite a few to reply positively. It is fun planning parties!
I had been asked last week to cover a shift at Arby’s for a teenager who had an important thing to do. He had asked me directly and although I have much to do, I knew Rae needed me to take the shift. She made it be 4:45 to 7 and I showed up to get it done. People were off sick and there was a guy who just started today, but we got things done. Come 7 there was still much to do so I agreed to stay. I was busy sweeping the lobby when the guy I was covering for strolled in with his girlfriend. He was oblivious to how much of a dick move that was. I was annoyed and he burned a bridge. I ended up working for and extra 45 minutes. That was fine but I was tired and hungry. I came home and fed Missy, locked her cat door and puzzled for a little while as I watched the recent season of Sex Education.
I forgot that the best thing that happened today was I got a call that I have finally been assigned a family doctor! I am to go for a meet and greet with Dr. Wolff next week. It has been years, I am so grateful.
What an exhausting and emotional day. I sat and had a tear for a moment as I felt less than… unable to see that I was qualified to do what I do. The woman I spoke with reminded me that I had already had a tough physical and emotional week and that I hadn’t eaten. She is a good Mom, and I was able to put things into perspective and get it done. I am grateful for the clients I have that I can be honest with and support me to be their person.
After a long nose to the books day, I headed to Encore to plan the FPPAS volunteer party which turned out to be something I am sure everyone will enjoy and I can’t wait to send out the invitations .
Dave and Deb met me there . We had good food and beverages and then bowled for an hour. Dave kicked our butts and we had a good laugh.
Last night didn’t get any better as I learned that Emmy and I are landing at a different airport than the rest of the family due to their inability to get airmile trips to the same as us. I was very frustrated. I did get a lot of my puzzle done though
This morning I called my Mom and she let me put a rental vehicle for a week on her airmiles and I paid the 137 in taxes. I also asked Danika if they could pick Emmy up in Calgary as our layover on the way home is nearly 6 hours and they are only 3 hours or so from Calgary. I hope they can make that work.
She ended up selling her car to Greg & Kym for Kyle at a decent price and I will arrange the transfer papers, etc. I will have to get it jumped and running as he is flying in next Friday.
After work I met out at Dave and Deb’s camp trailer at the KOA where their new friends joined for happy hour(s). We had a nice visit and then we had a meal at the 19th hole. It was okay, not great. After that Deb and I went to the casino where she checked her lotto tickets so I decided to as well and won 79.50. I played a Las Vegas slot machine and turned the first 20 into 107.50. Back in my pocket that went and after playing a couple others, I left with 113.50 more than I walked in with and had a bit of fun. I knew my limit and played within it and had some fun.
My order from UpsideDrinks.ca arrived today and I look forward to some of my favourites alcohol free and low cal.
I was up early enough to have a coffee and a mug of chicken broth before my pre-procedure deadline. After that I finished my puzzle, did my pre clean out and put the front seat covers on my car. Stopped at the office to pick up a couple parcels that had arrived and then headed to the hospital. I was told to be there for 12:15. It didn’t take too long to get taken in, given a gown, history taken, and hooked up to an IV. My blood pressure and weight were really good which made me happy. I read my book and waited but a headache started to come on due to dehydration, I’m sure. They started pumping Saline into me. Finally at 2:24 I was taken in. I had opted for no sedation or I wouldn’t be able to drive for 24 hours. That was the one big mistake. I had not in any stretch of the imagination thought that having an Endoscopy and a single banding would trigger me. I don’t generally like that word but it best describes what happened. I steeled myself and made it through, trying to be interested in the screen that showed my innards and what they were doing, trying to listen, trying to ask my follow up questions… I barely made it back to the space where I was wheeled when I broke down completely. My ‘official’ rape was not the first time I had been sexually abused and a lot came flooding back. I thought I had dealt with everything and was in control, but trauma is trauma and is a sneaky bastard. My nurse, Marika, and the Dr were extremely kind. My friend, Marsha, who was working the desk offered to get a social worker for me, and followed up later with a text to see if I was ok, when I refused. I just wanted out of the environment immediately.
I came home and started sorting a new puzzle so that I would focus on going to Vegas in less than two weeks. My innards were not happy but eventually calmed down and I decided to go to the Chamber after Hours due that I had registered for. I was there for an hour or so, had a few horsd’ouvres and made chatter the best I could before coming home to put my rear seat covers mostly in. A truck drove by and I heard a little girls voice say, “Mom, look at the Barbie car”. It made my day. Now I am exhausted physically and emotionally and shall puzzle a bit before going to bed early. So much to do in the next week and a half so that I can get away!
I was at the office fairly early, working to get as much done as possible so that I can take all of tomorrow off for my Endoscopy and banding.
It was a decent day, a regular amount of stress and I was able to take time to come home for lunch. As I was getting ready to leave, up walked Will and his friend. They had gone down to their elementary school at lunch. It was so great to get hugs as they headed back to middle school.
I finished everything and then headed to Key City Theatre for the volunteer intro for the new season. It was good and we did an evacuation exercise which was interesting especially to see the fire curtain come down.
Up at a decent time, I reached out to my neighbour Tracey to see if she was available with her truck today to help me take my yard waste to the transfer station. I did laundry and in the house chores while I waited to hear from her. When I did, I loaded up the bags into her truck, mowed the lawn and began weeding. She came home from her errands and joined in along her fence line. Once we got the truck loaded and tapped, we headed for the transfer station. It was a lot!! What a relief to get so much done. I enjoy the look of my yard again. I had really let it go this summer.
Not even all the bags yet!
She is such a good friend, I was thinking how similar our hearts are. I give in community and she is invested personally.
After dropping the load, we headed to Home Depot as I had intention to buy a 12 ft Jack Skellington to put between our two homes… BUT it was $498!! Nope, can’t do that right now. It was cool though
After that we went to Walmart where the lights I was looking for were sold out but I found a couple cool things to add to my Home Depot bat purchase.
Once back home and unloaded, I took my recycling to the bin, picked up some items at Shoppers Drug and them stopped to see mom. She was playing Bing which seems to be her Sunday jam now. I cleared out her car and took video and pictures of the inside and out so we can sell it. We had a short visit catching up on things and finding out that although she wanted to transfer her AirMiles to me, it would cost .15 a piece. She told me just to spend them as I want to as a ‘commission’
I was so tired when I got home, but I made dinner and ate and puzzled a little.
The only sad.. or ridiculous part of the day was when Mom mentioned that she saw my cousin’s post about going on the cruise. That was when I realized she unfriended and blocked me…. How sad, she has expressed in the past that she feels alone, but she creates that reality in her life…. Sigh. I hope Auntie Trish has fun, that is all I ever wanted for her.
I went to bed so early last night that I woke up at 4:44. I tried to lay in for longer and finally got up to check messages. I found one that said my parcel of my new car seat covers was to be delivered to the office today so I decided to get ready and go in. I had only one thing on my calendar today which was my ABC zoom call at 10 so I went to the office, deciding to get some work done ahead of Monday, hoping to be there to receive my parcel as well.
I missed the delivery but know they will bring it on Monday. I enjoyed the zoom call, catching up with 5 couples, making plans for my trip to Oregon to see the Keyes, and am excited that Colleen booked us a Segway tour while I am there. They were great help to plan my journey to Vegas once I leave there and I am looking forward to visiting Crater Lake on the way south.
While I was at the office I got payroll and PST filings done and received a text from Monica asking if I was available to bottle wine with her at 2. Of course, I said yes and we had fun and enjoyed wine and a fun Ramen game on her porch for a few hours afterwards.
I popped home for a bit before meeting Dave and Deb at the Heidout at 7. They are visiting on a golf vacation from the coast. When I arrived at the restaurant I was happy to find Pretty For the People playing on the patio. It was very loud and I was worried D&D might think it too loud. Turns out they loved it and I was happy to have them hear my friends play. We had a most awesome visit and made plans to get together again while they are here. Next time will be at Encore, for sure.
What a great filling of the love tank today. I am grateful for being spontaneous.
Today was the day I deposited my mortgage cheque and paid off most of my debt. It was not uncomplicated. There were runs to my bank, the dealership, the other bank, my bank, the other bank, my bank and more. The issue was the limit on my transferability daily. Maddi works at my bank, much to my surprise and she and I laughed at how many times I was in to the branch in one day when I usually do everything online. The most satisfying part of it all was paying off nearly 110K of debt with high interest in one day. My car is now paid off, all my house Renovations and more. I am not completely free as I have a CEBA loan and CRA to finish paying off but with the lack of debt servicing, I will be able to do that in no time.
I feel like I can breathe again
Tracey drove me to pick up my car from the retailer tonight and he did do a great job. I am getting ready for my roadtrip. The tix came through for U2 at the Sphere in Vegas today which just makes it even more real.
I remember back in the day as a single mom on welfare. The days without money were not too stressful as I just made due. The days the money came in were full of stress as I tried to figure out where it was best spent. Today felt similar.
I also find it incredible to have gone from a single Mom on welfare to where I am today… anything is possible.
Today was another run around crazed day. When I got up I found a message from Rae hoping I could cover lunch today at Arby’s. Of course, I said yes…
I fit that in, a fun shift on drivethru 1 which I havent done for a long time. The crew was fun and we got it done.
Rae came and got me around 4:30 and we went to drop my car off for detailing. She dropped me back at home to grab the jeep and back to the office I went.
I poured myself into one file and suddenly it was nearly 9 so I felt it best to go home.
In between, I also met the lawyer and picked up my cheque which I will need to deposit at the bank tomorrow.
6.5 hours on one file, a remote in AGM, and then off to Key City to volunteer bartend for a lobby show.
The first act was The Mellow Rows from Castlegar. They were ok. They were very loud in the small space. Sadly only 12 people came out to see the show. I felt bad for Ferdy, the promoter.
Pink Mountaintops was really great. They were more psychedelic rock and left me in a good vibe mood. I ended up buying two of their CDs and look forward to uploading them to my playlist.
I was at the office early, did a lot of work and ran to the lawyer to sign my mortgage papers. Should have the cheque in hand Thursday night. I borrowed extra to consolidate and look forward to paying off a lot on Friday. It is such a relief to get it done, finally.
I was at Arby’s for my 5-close shift after this full day. Both Ashlée and I were very tired as we are working two jobs. I was grateful to have accepted the shift though as I wasn’t aware it would be her last shift. She is working full time again for Roto Rooter. It was lovely to close with her and Stu. The people who came in were all very nice and we even got a good tip from the last customer of the evening who was able to order at only minutes to close. I loved listening to Ash taking his order with joy and no sign in her voice that he just made it.
A tiresome but joy filled day!!
Oh, and Gene, my eldest grandson, was on the front page of the paper playing his trombone at Ed Fest!
triumphgal 