triumphgal

09-11-23 Big Moves

September 11, 2023

Today was complicated, I am not going to kid you.

I did get 4.5 hours of paid work done in between a dentist appointment to fix my broken filling, time spent on volunteerism and other things.

The board meeting went very well, with some heavy discussions about the way we treat each other and communicate. We made some big decisions about what we want to do over this Fall season to be able to make bigger and better plans going forward. I believe we all left feeling good and accomplished.

I was not impressed when, well after the office had closed, I received notice that my Pair shipment had been delivered. I went to the front of the building to find it on the ground. They hadn’t even bothered to ring the door bell which would have summoned the janitor or any of the three of us still working there. I suspect that is how one of my orders earlier in the year went missing. Very disappointed in DHL. They have a terrible reputation and I wish there was a different way to get my orders.

09-10-23 GLOW

September 10, 2023

i woke up after a good long sleep with a smile on my face remembering the day that was yesterday. One of the highlights was unexpected, when the rapper was into his first song, he actually said, “just like Marnée said” and that made my day.

I put in over 18000 steps yesterday! Today I have mostly watched Glow, which I really love, but I learned there are only 3 seasons as it was sidelined by Covid. I think it is a must see series. I do laugh how often I see shirts, sweaters and jewelry that I wore in the ‘80s.

Tracey and I had a short visit and then she came with me to the pet store for food and to pick up a chair I bought from Addison and Vanessa. It is an Ikea Poang and they fit my back perfectly. I have a fancier cushion for it that I will take to the dry cleaner this week as it was used for my AirBnB and needs freshening up. Now I just need to be rid of my couch/chair.

Laundry is done, good food was made and eaten, with enough left for lunch or dinner tomorrow, and I am still enjoying the show which i will likely finish before bed.

09-09-23 Ed Fest!

September 10, 2023

It was a 13.5 hour day but so satisfying. I was able to be the ‘see a need fill it’ person and was emcee for the community stage. Over all, the event was a huge success. I feel that the audience and performers had an amazing time and I hope we will di it all again next year. I will let the pics and videos speak to the day. One of the lovely moments was when a gentleman stopped me to say he had wanted to let me know all summer how much he enjoys me as emcee. That was sweet.

Ed the elephant was a huge fan favourite. Marcel did an amazing job making him. And my grandson Gene played trombone in the parade!

These were the acts at the Community Stage: Highland Dancers, Tunesmiths, Alfonso Joseph, Slone Leman, Strange 2ruth

random fun

Garret T, Willie is absolutely and old soul with a gift. Could have listened to him all night!

And then it was time to close out the night with Five Alarm Funk!!

09-08-23 Hospitality Queen

September 8, 2023

In the usual yo-yo kind of world that I live in, today had many ups and downs.

Up: got all my volunteer book work done

Down: had many draws on my attention

Up: bought tickets to the Sharks vs Ducks game on January 31st in Anaheim for Roger, Gene and Lukas to join me as Christmas presents. Got really good ones in the first row of the upper section, centre ice. It will be the boys first NHL game.

Up: My ABC friends from Santa Barbara, Craig and Lorraine, are going to join me in Disney for two nights and two full days!! I can’t wait to see them and introduce them to All my family. They won’t be around when I am heading south next month so I will figure out a new route. What a joy to know I will see them soon.

Down: one of my client’s accountants asked me for a long list of info very late in the day for a Friday.

Up: One of the client’s employees helped me get it done in short order.

Down: I was tasked to put together the rider bits for the two headliner bands tomorrow

Up: I was tasked to put together the rider bits for the two headliner bands tomorrow!!

Up: I had so much fun shopping, filling the list of Keto friendly, interesting foods and beverages. Google and label reading was my Jam, The hardest thing to find was a 26er of Silver Patreon. At the last spot in town I finally found it.

Up: The dinner I made was delicious.

Down: Today was the 1st anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Up: I enjoyed watching Glow and puzzling

UP! I needed tissues and like a particular size of box. There was only one left of that size peeking from the top shelf. It was soooo meant to be mine

09-06-23 Lifeline – Phone a Friend

September 6, 2023

Sometimes, well actually, most times… the only thing I need to do to stop the ruminating is to phone a friend.

Today, there was a google meeting for 2.5 hours to assist a client, work on getting remittances calculated for others, a call with the lender to discuss mortgage and accept docusign info to sign things off with them before I do it in person with the lawyer, and then a final meeting pre Ed Fest which happens on Saturday.

Afterwards I came home and made a good meal, and puzzled while I ruminated on the last item. I have been at all but one planning meeting and have added to the event in a positive way, of this I am secure. Unfortunately, I was left out by my own organization in the end. It is not the fault of all of them, just a few who do not value my part. This sat heavily with me this eventing and I finally decided to text a friend who is involved at the top and when he was able, we talked on the phone. He had observed what I was feeling and knew exactly how to use my skills. He had concerns that the bands may need someone to be their person and was glad to assign me to assist him and be that person. I also clarified how he would like the fence set up and I will be there early to ensure it happens.

I was left feeling valued and needed. I am once again looking forward to the event.

That’s what friends are for.

It was four years ago today that my besties in the UK and I attended Come From Away, in London, and I can’t imagine any piece of theatre that could move me more. I also can’t believe it was 4 years ago already!! I love and miss them dearly.

09-05-23 Anxiety 101

September 5, 2023

I heard from the lender that I was approved, tomorrow will be the initial call to go through all the details and docusign and then there will be the lawyer appointment to complete my mortgage. This makes me happy but I also am experiencing extreme anxiety. I don’t know why, can’t put a finger on it to work through it and make it go away…

And so I resort to my go to… I drink the anxiety away, or at least to a point of dropping into a deep sleep. There are two things very wrong with this though… I wake 5 hours later, dehydrated and stressing…. I gain weight. I have gained 10 pounds back, still down 35, which is great but I need to stop the gain.

I have also been having really weird dreams. I hope it is to do with the mortgage, not that I am picking up on something nefarious coming down the line.

Such is the life of the empath, I don’t know always if the feeling is mine or someone else’s. I do know there is someone in the building I work in that is having issues with their health and I have been trying to protect both of us from feeling what’s going on.

We shall see…

09-04-23 Labour Day

September 4, 2023

I had barely wiped the sleep out of my eyes when I saw that someone couldn’t make their shift at Arby’s today that was to start in 15 minutes. I messaged Rae and she said to come as soon as I could. I worked from 11:30 to 2:30 and actually found myself annoyed too often at the lack of authority and awareness in the shift. It all was fine but I wished it to have been better. It is a tough time of transition as the new owners take over the end of next month. The new owner is not as on top of things as Rae is and I have to allow for that, not be judgemental, but it is hard as my daughters rock the job and I have height expectations.

Once I got home, I booked the flights for Emmy and I and Universal tickets for Jake, Yumi and I. It is good to open all the options and apps to find the best. I now feel that Emmy and I are going no matter what, lol.

Hopefully Danika works on getting Emmy’s passport asap.

A big group of us met at Encore to have food and drinks to celebrate school starting tomorrow.

I am going to buy Ducks vs Sharks tickets on January 31st for Roger, Lukas and Gene as Christmas presents. I am excited to take the grandsons to their first NHL game in my team’s home ice. I will have to pack jerseys for all.

I misunderstood when everyone was coming home but with Emmy under my care to get home, I would not be able to stay as long as them anyway.

I can’t believe it has already been 4 years since I left for the UK. How can it be that long since I saw my besties!!

09-03-23 Family Holidays are Costly

September 3, 2023

And challenging to coordinate! 13 of us are going to Disney and Universal Hollywood in the new year. I am going to have to travel with Emmy to meet her Dad and his girlfriend there. That is not bad necessarily but it does complicate things when it comes to bookings. I spent a great deal of time online today, comparing hotels and flights and finally booked rooms for Jake, Yumi, Emmy and I near Universal for the first two nights and at the same hotel as everyone else for the next 5 nights.

EVERYTHING is expensive and I am going to have to make sure Jake pays a good portion of the hotel and covers all Emmy expenses. I can’t afford to subsidize this in any way, especially after my roadtrip next month.

It will be the one big family vacation though, so worth it in the end.

First world problems, I get it.

09-02-23 Family Time

September 2, 2023

I got chores done and then met Jake, Emmy, Will and Sawyer at the theatre at noon to see Elemental. We were completely enjoying the movie when the Fire Alarm went off. At first most of us thought it was part of the movie and then realized the lights were flashing. We all waited outside for half an hour before they found out someone had triggered the alarm near the Dollar Store in the mall and we were allowed back in. Because it was the only showing of the day, they started it near where we left off and we were able to see it to the end. It was a lovely movie. We stopped to see Mom after. Sawyer gives the best hugs.

next, Jake and I took Emmy, Lukas, Will and Sawyer to Jim Smith lake where they have done a lot of work including putting in a new playground. The kids had a lot of fun and Jake and I got a good visit in.

Dinner was at the Guedes house with the three new home stay students who arrived today. Demetri and Mario are Rae and Roger’s new ones and there was also a lovely girl from next door. We had delicious food and a good visit before working on plans for all the original family to go to Disney and Universal January 27 to February 6th. I am to fly down with Emmy and meet Jake and Yumi there. We are a great number of people hoping to stay close to the park. It is complicated but we we will make memories.

Mom is going to give me her air miles to help towards Emmy’s flight thankfully.

09-01-23 Ticking boxes and making plans

September 1, 2023

My day at the office was greatly improved when I got a text from Jake that he was here and agreed to do early lunch. He picked me up at the office and after a fun photo session, we agreed that Hot Shots was the place. The Pad Thai Bowls we had were amazing… and Jake paid!

His license plate kills me. I did suggest it say, Just Kill Me on the frame. I pitched him Nerd Nana as an unboxing for the ‘older” set. I could tell he was not amused, but I think the idea has merit and it will rattle around on his drove home.

I popped out to do some errands and stopped at both the car dealership and a client to take care of business.

Once I got back to the office I was becoming stressed as I still hadn’t received a batch of time sheets. By the time they finally sent them, I was getting annoyed as it was late on Friday of a long weekend. After all it turned out alright as I connected with Sonia, my roadtrip companion next month. It was Saturday morning in Perth and we chatted about our plans and where to stay, when.

I stopped at the liquor store for martini makings and then SavOn to get olives (which turned out to have pits but were delicious) and also picked up bacon wrapped scallops for dinner. Once I got home and cooked I went for a walk around our big block with Tracey. Once I got home I enjoyed my food and martinis and after puzzling for a bit while I watched Big Brother and AGT, I decided to watch Stand By Me. It has been a while and honestly, it is still amazing.