It was a Thursday that felt like a Friday due to it being the last day of the month and I tied up so many loose ends. I ran out for the 11:45 Rotary luncheon where I hoped to make my final decision about joining. I decided to. It is a fine group of people doing community service in a big way. It was great to be invited by Lallah and welcomed by President Heidi in such a lovely way. When I returned to the office there was a forwarded message from Bill Usher via Steve, acknowledging and encouraging Steve and I for our vision for the group and that it may not be easy, bu the group needs us to be strong and assertive.
I was actually able to relax for a bit and cruise online before dropping off some advent calendars and picking up Monica to go for sushi at Sakura and the concert. I had seen the preview of the season and registered that I would be interested in seeing Moontricks. I had no expectations and am pretty sure I have never experienced Techno/Bluegrass/Folk before. They were very good and the audience loved them. They invited people up to the stage for the last couple songs and it was fun to watch them. It was great to hang with Monica and Jessica as well.
Earlier in the day I received app messages about James. They cracked me up and even more so when I got home to see what the cliff was.
So much work, a meeting for Ed Fest and then back to the office until 8:30. I did get all the government filings done in spite of clients leaving a lot to my imagination and very last minute. I made a flat bread for dinner, puzzled a little, had a short catch up with Tracey. She brought me Forrest Gump licence plates from her vacation. I feel bad for her as she was supposed to have left on the weekend for a cruise with a friend and it was cancelled due to something being wrong with the ship. It was refunded though thankfully.
The Ed Fest meeting went really well. It really feels like we are going to ramp it up for next year.
Not the most exciting day of the year, but a productive one and I still have tomorrow to finish a few things as well as run payroll. If I have time I will go to the Rotary lunch as well.
I set up my Roomba this morning, dubbed it James II and was happy to get the message on my app while at work that James was stuck I found him on the edge of a thick carpet. He had done a great job until then, so I shall keep him. He did come with a funny message
I dropped a box at the thrift store and got to the office late. Stayed until late to make up for it and got a lot done, but there is still much to do tomorrow to finish the four files that need to be completed, but were awaiting items. I made time to do some volunteer work as well and browsed online a bit. It was there when I saw reference to a movie I haven’t seen with a young actor that I enjoyed in the series Sex Education. I came home and made dinner, put away my puzzle and started another as I watch The Space Between Us. So far it’s pretty interesting. I appreciate the find in the puzzle box.
The awful truth about this morning, to be told so I can sleep. I received a message from a musician I haven’t heard from in a long time. He wanted me to know that his former band mate, who I have hired with the band in the past, has been convicted of sexual assault against a minor and some other things. It seems he has been in a three year ‘relationship’ with a now 15 year old. He is now 53. My brain is still having problems processing this. I was never drawn to his odd personality which may have been my soul protecting me from his deviance. I am glad he has been caught and convicted.
Due to my guts being unhappy since I got back from holidays, I have had tough mornings and have not been exercising properly. I have gained back 12 pounds now and am starting to panic a little. I am going to give myself grace as I slowly return my system back to the Whole Foods it loves best and know that Christmas parties and special occasions do not always make that possible.
I ran a bunch of errands and then got to the office to run payroll and data enter. I did have a salad for lunch which is ‘healthy’ but I think my previous Drs suggestion I may have IBS could be true as salad isn’t the best for my system currently. I ran out for acupuncture with Sebastian at 3 again. He is currently focusing on my neck and arm. It does seem to help thus far.
I stopped at Encore for a short catchup with Rae and then back to the office to finish off what I could before I got too tired. Once home I made a meal from my Hello Fresh which I have had in the past and loved. I intended to set up my new iRobot that I ordered on Black Friday, but settled in to watch my shows, and puzzle for a while. I have decided to let myself get tired before trying to sleep as I struggled and tossed and finally got up to take melatonin last night. It is now just after midnight and my puzzle is done. I have finally started to yawn, so, I shall say goodnight all.
Seems Missy likes ‘her side’ of the new bed better than the foot of the old bed
I had a good sleep and them Brenda popped over to change out the bent needle and finish the last two scarves. I like our chats when she is here. After that I did a myriad of chores while I watched Escaping Twin Flames. It is freaky that this cult preys on lonely people and has taken advantage of people through the pandemic all in the name of God. It is considered a High Control Group which I had not heard of as a label. This article describes it well. https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/
I baked the apple pie I had from the Avalanche fundraiser, some bottles of goodness and headed over to the Guedes house where they were hosting American Thanksgiving on behalf of their good friends and neighbour’s. Nearly 30 of us gathered for fun and games and an amazing turkey dinner. It was a really great evening.
I came home and continued working on a puzzle for a bit as I watched more of Another Life, a show on Netflix that I want to be better than it is.
I was up and at the Ground Floor before 9 for the all day session of our strategic planning. It was a very good day. Bill Usher is a very good listener and communicator. I think we have a framework for going forward that is doable. I was thrilled when he pointed out to the whole group that I have insight into where we should be heading and what we can accomplish due to my work with VIMF. He described the fest and it’s all inclusivity, diverse music and appeal to all ages. This was the second time this week that I had to brush off my insecurities and own that I have earned my position and bring skills to the table. It was awesome to hear it from Bill and I also heard it from Doug earlier this week when he reached out to me to ask how to deal with an issue on Facebook where someone I know is overstating their position and knowledge of the Fest. They were in effect, speaking for me. I took care of it and Doug let me know it was well handled. I felt good.. today felt good, I am good enough!
We were out early and I popped home to start cutting out the last material to sew for the show. I met Ashlée at her house and we walked down to meet everyone on the balcony at FireHall for a great view of the Santa Parade. It was a nice time and after I went to SaveOn to get some groceries before coming home to eat and then finish cutting and sewing. I finished off 4 scarves when the needle grabbed the material funny and ended up bent. Brenda is going to come fix it tomorrow so I am watching a little TV and heading to bed.
I had a relaxing morning as my elbow is feeling a bit better, but my soul is tired. Once at the office, I concentrated on taking care of a few smaller things on my list and then dug into a big file. At 3:30 I headed to my first acupuncture appointment with Sebastian. He took an hour to ask me questions and then applied needles to work on my vertigo, arm pain and neck issues causing headaches. I scheduled two appointments for next week to continue the treatments. I wasn’t sure it made any difference until this evening when I was full of energy and my headaches were gone.
The evening consisted of the first part of our Strategic Planning session with Bill Usher. He is a very accomplished human, a multiple Juno award drummer, and the head of the Golden Arts Council. The session was attended by all but one of our Board as well as our web/marketing guru, two city councilors and the head of another big Arts organization in town. I felt it was a good fact finding intro to tomorrow when 5 of the 8 Board members will gather to digest the info.
I thought this would all be soul crushing but I think it has a lot of value, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Ferdy Belland, Kristen Armleder, Steve, Knowles, Elva Ward, Bill Usher, Jamie Neve, Doug Mitchell, Murray Hayward, Me, Wayne Stetski, Galen Olstead and Ron Popoff
One of the more interesting moments of the evening was when I was told I should start preparing to run for council in the next elections!
I admit to not wanting to get moving too quickly this morning, but my phone began ringing and the email were coming in so it was time to sweep away the snow and get on with my day. I loved Missy’s wee prints
I got a myriad of things solved during the day and then headed to the Heidout for 4 pm to meet with some Rotary ladies, Mary Anne, Heidi and Lallah as well as two of our Board members, Steve and Ward. We are partnering with Rotary to o 50/50 draws at our Summer Sounds as well as being part of their Chili Cookoff in August. We set a framework in place and it is something that will work well for all of us. Once the guys left, and Mary Anne had to get home to family, Heidi, Lallah and I had a wonderful visit. Lallah and I had a great meal while I learned a great deal about each of them. They are both wonderful human beings and I have been invited to a couple of Rotary lunches to see if I would like to join them. Lallah tells me she has made amazing friends and really enjoys this club that supports the community with volunteer time and grants. They meet for lunch every Thursday where local groups give presentations. I am going to make a plan to attend.
After dinner, I returned to the office to put up the tree. It has some light issues which I will need to make time to solve, but tonight I needed to get to the Guedes house to give Will a big hug for his 12th birthday. I love that boy so much and while I was there I received multiple hugs from 16 year old Gene, who is just so full of love, and not afraid to share it.
Today I picked up Moms pills and stopped to see her and pay her bills before heading to the office. The best part of being at the Groundfloor was when Layla packed up all the stuff that was cluttering the area outside our offices so that it is clear to put up my office Christmas tree. She said it was her Christmas present to me and I must tell you, it was a most appreciated gift. I look forward to putting up the tree as I can see it sparkle from my desk and saves me putting one up at home. To be fair, I spend more waking hours at my desk…
I worked right up until it was time to go to Key City where I was to assist on bar and then assist with bringing a mic around to the people with questions from the audience for the Medium, Jody Lutzke.
I left myself open to the atmosphere in the room and had to leave right after as my empath soul was overwhelmed. There was a great deal of love and grief in that auditorium. I was pretty impressed with Jody, and very pleased to see her moving up and down, interacting closely with people. At one point I had to actually back away from her as I could feel our energy ‘bumping’. I think I will book a session with her. Not sure what I want to know, but I know I want the experience without all the cloudiness of other peoples stuff.
I came home and finished all the sewing I had to do with the thread colour in use. I messaged Brenda that I am ready for her to come change to the cream thread so I can finish the scarves off. It was a good exercise to do while I debriefed the evening’s energy off my brain.
Apparently there is a cruise with Jody next November through Expedia. I am curious, but wonder if I could be on a ship with people seeking their dead loved ones.
I didn’t sleep especially well so I took some time to relax with coffee in the morning. It felt like today was one meeting after the other (because it was!)
Ran payroll, had a client in office for a few hours of training and setting up books properly, off to Key City for a budget meeting, back to the office to meet Brenda dropping off the Serger so I can try it again, followed by a Board meeting and then food and bevies at Boston Pizza.
Each meeting was interesting in its own way, I asked questions, offered solutions and opinions. Some were taken well, some were not but I do know that someone who professes to speak his truth should be able to hear someone else’s without getting all defensive. It will be interesting going forward, but I am open to the experience for now.
I hope to have a better sleep tomorrow and take on another day of all things necessary.
Today was productive work wise, my new cover came for my chair that has begun to shed a layer, Brenda came to take the serger to get it working properly again, I stopped for a bite to eat at Encore and then it was off to Key City Theatre.
It is a much nicer colour than it looks here.
I can’t even believe it was 16 years ago that I last saw them perform. They were with Sum 41 in Victoria at Save On Memorial and it was the first concert I ever wore ear plugs for. I went with my boyfriend at the time and our 13 year old sons.
Tonight was great, the first half being acoustic and lovely and the second half being rock and roll, loud and awesome. The sold out crowd of all ages looked like they were loving it.
I am only posting the first video I took. Others may be found on my YouTube channel Geckosgal
After my early morning to bed, I was surprised to wake up only 6 hours later. I figured I may as well get up and get at it. It has snowed and was still coming down so I had coffee and watched shows before Brenda Tyson reached out to see if she could drop off her serger and some filmy material to do some sewing for the show. Of course I said yes, and she came and taught me how to use it in one quick and easy lesson. I sat for the next couple hours working at it and then decided I had better get to the office as I wanted to get ahead of the file I am working on. I stayed at it until around 6, came home and made dinner and hung up my mini art installment in my bedroom. It is a picture from Rae-Anne when she had her store, the white mask from my Auntie Trish, the other was made by the Real Green Fairy from Nelson, and the arm came from the Woodward’s store in New Westminster where I grew up . I was able to purchase it just before it shut down for good. I settled back in to sew and didn’t get far before there was an odd sound and the needle had broken. Very disappointing, but Brenda will come with another and change it out after work tomorrow. She is the principal and the middle school that two of my grandsons attend up the street.
I spotted this online and I think it succinctly explains how I feel. I charge for my time when it actually shortchanges me as I am efficient and a flat rate may be more fair to me. For example, I charge $60 an hour currently and if I have streamlined things so well that it only takes my 15 minutes to run a payroll, should I really only charge $15?
I stopped at Home Depot and traded the dead orange lightbulb that my lights came with for another . They were so cool about it and I do like them. They will look even better in the snow.
I set my alarm to be up and ready to get to the office in order to enjoy my zoom time with the available ABCers. It was lovely to catch up with the Madisons in Omaha, and the Keyes in Oregon. We had a great visit and then I set to work on a file for 5 hours before heading to Encore to settle up the invoice from last nights party. I had committed to bartend at Key CIty for the Burlesque show so swung home to make some dinner and head there. The evening was fun, as the atmosphere for this type of show is always interesting. I chatted with one of the performers from Nelson, The Green Fairy, who had her leather masks for sale and I was particularly taken by one that had to come home with me. It will go perfectly in my newly redone bedroom and I will hang it tomorrow. After the show my friend Monica invited me over for a visit and I have only just come home at nearly 2:30 am! I was so great to catch up and debrief our lives over the last while. I sure appreciate her in my life and am blessed by our friendship. It was a very full day and I feel a sense of relief from the darkness that has tried to envelope me this month.
What an incredible day. I started with a terrible sleep due to my elbow pain, which upon further research may take up to a year to heal… if I rest it. Didn’t really do that today.
I did take a Dr visit for my Mom by phone, go to my gal at the salon, back to the office, to a chamber luncheon meeting which was awesome, at Fire and Oak restaurant, back to the office, and then finally off to pick up the cake and head to Encore as I was to host this evenings volunteer appreciation party for Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society.
The event was an overwhelming success. The venue went above and beyond, the food was amazing, the door prizes, tokens for games and bowling time was just right. I saw so many people who had great smiles on their faces and many who said they hadn’t bowled in a decade.
I came in under budget, was able to share the love with other kids in the venue (extra tokens) and even cake at the end for anyone who wanted some.
I am not going to lie, I was very tired when it was all done but there was so much to be happy about, it filled my cup. At one point a long time volunteer came up to say goodbye and straight up asked if I was a paid person for the society. She was stunned to learn that I am a volunteer and called me ‘the glue’. That was a huge compliment and probably exactly what I needed in the moment. I accepted the compliment gracefully and assured her that I was not paid for my parts in the society.
I must say, I feel great having thrown a great party and seeing the joy our volunteers experienced. They are the backbone of what we do.
Is it being busy busy busy, is it spending time with relations, is it making money, having disposable income, is it owning all you do and choose to do?
I have had a tough time this month, am struggling to control my anger, to not over react to small things as the undercurrent is real.
I feel in many ways that I am going through the motions, people see what I share on Facebook, see a version of my life that is true but not the full picture.
I am a bit overwhelmed tonight in spite of being out with Bill and Deanne, Rae and Ash at Firehall for the Encore Tap takeover. We had good food and beverage and I was glad to come home.
I did like my curly hair that I unwrapped this morning.
I was busy at work, frustrated by the demands placed unnecessarily on me. I have a couple clients who seem to think I should care more for their businesses than they do. I am to remind them to send me information to file in a more timely manner so that they don’t forget!
I also had someone reach out for help who ghosted me back in 2017 for a bookkeeper I would never have recommended, and now has found he got what he paid for and needs me to fix his file. He seemed perplexed when I said no. Boundaries, I am learning!
I also had a lot to do in the last couple days for my volunteer work and that ate a lot of time. I can’t seem to get my communications clear and then it falls back on me to solve at other’s demand. Oh well. I can leave if it gets to be too much.
After work I decided I would go help with the costume and set sewing bee and I am really glad I did. I took care of ironing the edges of the cut canvas so that it was ready to sew and assisted with bobbin threading, etc. It was such a pleasure to work alongside the other 7 ladies. I brought home some sewing of scarves to do as well.
Once I got home around 9 I heated up my leftovers, and then wet may hair and spent time putting my new curlers in. They are lightweight and comfortable. I look forward to seeing how they feel and look in the morning.
My new lip colour that arrived yesterday had the funniest instructions. Information presented but not really very informative.
I had a stack of books in my room that didn’t make it to the living room bookshelves. They have a new home on my dresser and upon review… this is me in a nutshell. Under Sex for Dummies is a stack of Star Wars Puzzle and Maze books, a script and my family tree. The rest is just a crazy ass collection of all the areas of my life of the past 60 years.
And, I wonder why I’m single, lol. Or maybe I should say, look at me, I’ve done the work.
I don’t feel like I am living in a nightmare any longer, my room is a place of peace.
I was up fairly early, and got on with finishing the bedroom. There was still much to do and the hardest part to do solo was putting the second medallion and ceiling lamp up. It was especially difficult with my sore elbow which keeps barking at me when I touch it to any surface. A young man came and picked up my box spring as I don’t need it with the new frame. Rae and Roger came and picked up my old nightstand and the big shoe rack. The nightstand was one I got from Bennetts way back in the late 80’s or early 90s. I am glad they wanted to keep it in the family.
There is still some sorting of clothes to do, trim to put on the windows and art to hang, but overall it was lovely to crawl into a freshly washed, brand new set of bedding.
At 6 I went to Key City for a quick meeting with the costume crew head, Brenda Tyson and the director, Brenda Birley as well as a group of women who are available to sew costumes. I look forward to helping out.
I slept wonderfully in my new room, just need to get my ceiling fan fixed so I can have it running without the light. I still wake up hot. I spent the day finishing the paint job in my room. And then hung my TV. I have had the hanger since early 2020 but wanted to make sure I painted before I put it up. It took this long, sigh. And then I nearly died, well, that is what it felt like. I drilled and lagged the bracket up and did everything but hang off it before hanging the TV on it. And then weirdly, the top right corner started to pull out of the wall. I was stuck holding the TV up and couldn’t reach anything. I asked Siri to call Rae, I that desperately needed help, but she didn’t answer. I was not wearing socks thankfully, as I have monkey toes and was able to stretch and reach my drill with the right bit in it to release the set screws and take the TV down again. I then used a long wood screw and washer and made sure the bracket was strong enough for me to hang off it before hanging the TV once and for all. It is a bit crooked, but I am too worn out to adjust it at the moment. I will do it tomorrow. I posted my box spring for free on Facebook marketplace and someone is coming to get it tomorrow. It feels good to pay things forward especially when I have gotten my money’s worth. I went to Home Depot and returned nearly $60 worth of baseboard. I then went to Walmart and treated myself to new Canadiana bedding and some drapes. Things are slowly coming together and I will finish it off tomorrow.
I made a ground beef hash with Truffle Parm seasoning and added some Texas toast for a carb load. It was so good. I then ran a bath with an enhanced bath bomb and watched the finale of Loki. My body feels soft and my soul is revived. I am now tucked in watching Upload. I have been binging it today and was thrilled to see my friend Caroline on an episode. I texted her right away and quoted her character, because, that is what friends do!
triumphgal 