I finished binging Beef last night and it was good. Today I discovered there was a season of Better Call Saul that I hadn’t watched and it became my watch of the day. I made good headway on my puzzle as I watched. I tried on my outfit for tomorrow night’s 70s themed gig at Key City, did chores and then made red lobster biscuits to take to the annual big poker night at Landon’s. There were 30 of us and it cost $25. I had a great night, came out with 32.50 as I had so many bounties for taking out others, and split 8th place with Tyler. That was pretty great for 5 hours of good company and entertainment.
It ice rained while we were in there and I took things very slowly on the way home once I deiced it. Now I am finishing my show and sipping some Crown as I drank my nonalcoholic bevies at the game.
One of the funnier moments was when Rob Amsing came over to our table and saw my big stack and called it the Marnée Curse. I suspect it is because I do manage to take out a lot of people without rebuying at all and the pot gets bigger for the end 3 people to split. Also, every one I take out gets me a $5 bounty chip to cash in at the end. I usually manage to at least get my buyin back.
Stayed up until the wee hours finishing watching The Watcher. I didn’t realize that it is based on a true story. It is an odd Hallmark/Horror movie in 7 segments.
Didn’t wake up until 10, started watching ‘Beef’. It is very very different from the other.
I got ready and headed to Encore as I knew the kids would all be there bowling. It was great to see the Knight girls. I left and went to the car wash on the way to the office to run the last payroll and do my billing. After I finished, I ran home and got the shampoo and conditioner I’d won to give to Margot and the Harry Potter collection of Wills to watch later.
I got there and everyone was on computers separately playing a game together. Margot eventually came down from a rest and 6 of us all played a fun bubble tea game. After that we watched the 5th movie in the HP franchise. Most of the way through thankfully, it was time for the kids to get antsy and so it was annoying to try to hear until someone yelled ‘Hush’
I was home by 8:30 and ran a hot bath with a CBD bath bomb. I watched 2 episodes of Beef and am now in bed watching more. I am very much enjoying it.
I went in to the office and looked at all the info from the Travelbestbets site and emailed back and forth with Shayla, the very helpful agent. Once I had all the info together, I sent it to Tracey and she committed to going from September 12-22. Then it was off to the Rotary lunch where as of yesterday I am officially a member. It was a nice social time and I even got a fine on my first day as we all did to wrap up the year. The made up fun fines, often $2 and the Happy Bucks that people put on their accounts to pay to make announcements are a cute way of raising funds and entertaining everyone. I look forward to what the future brings serving with this group. A
fter the meeting I dropped off my recycling and took Mom’s clothes to the Mission Thrift. Then, it was back to the office to finish booking the trip and apply for my passport renewal as it expires in July 2024. I will get photos and send it in after we are back from California as I don’t want to risk not getting it back. I used my Avion Visa to put the deposit on the trip and Tracey will pay me as she can as she is waiting for a refund from her cancelled cruise. She kindly offered to pay towards any interest we accumulate, which is awesome.
I managed to get the last two files done for GST filing for 2023! Also got a jump doing one of the two payroll due tomorrow. Once I was done James was also finished cleaning at the office and we headed to Encore to shoot some pool. It was great to see Roger’s sister, Margot and her husband, Rob there, up from Olympia Washington. I hope to see their girls tomorrow afternoon.
James and I played 6 games of which I won two, he won two and he sewered and lost two. It was fun and the place was noisy and busy. I offered to buy him dinner at East Side Mario’s and it was delicious. I dropped him back at Encore and came home to puzzle and watch more episodes of The Watcher. It is impossible not to watch. Thank goodness there is only 7 episodes all together as I seem to be on a binge.
I am so very excited to go on both big trips next year. Something to look forward to is very important to my mental health.
I was at acupuncture for 10, working mostly on brain calming. Over to the office for a bit to clear the email out, but not actually work. Noon was armpit and eyebrow wax with the lovely Ireland and then off to Creative Souls where Melissa spent nearly two hours giving me a full body relaxation massage, facial and eye treatment. AND! I won one of their month of December gift baskets! They made the draw on Friday and let me know when I got there. I cried. The whole day was so perfect to that point. I then went to the office and printed all my California trip info and put it in an organizer I bought. I also called WestJet and confirmed that I could add on a suitcase, and pack my CPAP in it as I am not using a battery with it. After that I came home and snacked and puzzled and watched Friends from College season 2. I then reached out to Tracey about the Ecuador/Galapagos trip and she is good to go!! I sent the email to travel Best bets and will wait for them to call to book it for Sept 2024. I am so happy that she is game to go and do all the Add-Ons. It will cost much less than Disney I suspect and is the only for sure on my bucket list. Ever since I read Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut, I have wanted to go there.
This morning I slept until 10 and then puzzled and got ready to go to the office. I went in to run a big union payroll but after getting very frustrated waiting for info, I later received a call that he had fallen leaving the office and had to go to the hospital to make sure he hadn’t broken his tailbone. While I was waiting, I met the fam and friends at Encore. We had a nice visit, I returned to the office to run the pay and then headed to the Bungay Bash. It was a lot of my musician friends and it was great to catch up as well as make smalltalk with acquaintances. Jake and Yumi kindly blame and picked me up to get my car home for the morning.
I reached out to Alan Doyle to see if they would join us for a kitchen party after their show here in February as my host from this party is from Labrador.
It was a good day and I know it was good that I came home and felt grounded. I made a plan with Emmy thanks to Malcolm and Danika, to spend a night in Fernie at a hotel and get used to being away as she is very attached to her Mom at the moment
Sawyer came and woke me up some time after 7 with a good snuggle. We all headed down to the living room and began with coffee and stockings.
We were all spoiled beyond measure. I was especially moved by a few things including a mug that their neighbour and my friend Addison saw and thought of me, even though we don’t usually swap gifts. There were also cool things from the UK Besties. Hard Rock Reykjavic pin and unique salt and pepper shakers. Roger found some awesome Jack bath bombs, Rae, a wicked fun calendar, Ashlée, some beautiful feather earrings, Jake and Yumi, the perfect puzzle and Danika, a vintage cup set. There was also a perfect shaped mug from Bill and Deanne, and just so much more.
I made breakfast of pork sliders which were mixed with shredded gala apples and topped with a mixture of BBQ sauce and maple syrup and cheddar cheese served in a Red Lobster biscuit. It was a hit, phew!
Bill went and picked up my Mom and I went for some time out in Lukas’s room. There is some weird ass energy this year and it is not just me. Rae is struggling, she and Roger are sniping. I think we are all at a place of stress in our lives and bumping off each other. Everyone was pleased when Mom (GG) give us all $25 gift card for Disneyland.
We had a delicious dinner with The Greys joining us. I enjoyed sitting with the kids in the kitchen as there was no room left in the dining room. We had good conversation.
I took Mom home and when I got back, after finding Emmy asleep on the couch and her deciding she didn’t feel well and wanted to be with her mom, I settled into a game of 5 minute Dungeon with Demitri, Emilia, Lukas, Roger and Ashlée. It was fun, but I was fading and decided to come home to sleep tonight. In spite of all the drama, it was a decent Christmas and I will go to the office tomorrow before meeting everyone at Encore at 3 and then of to the Bungay Bash after 6. I look forward to no alarm.. or noise and Missy seems happy that I am home.
I dawdled and got some no honey to do list items taken care of before packing up the car and heading over to the kids house. It was lovely to meet Yumi, Jake’s girlfriend. She is easy to talk to and seems to fit in well, which is a bonus. I am so glad they were able to make it. We all pitched in to get a wonderful dinner made before we packed into three cars and headed to Bill and Deanne’s church for the carol service. I had a lovely hug and moment with Trudy. I didn’t know she and Peter went there and he did a great job playing guitar and leading the singing. He has a great voice. There were others there who did not make it comfortable for me and I did not find joy in the singing and peace filled atmosphere that there usually is. I was surprised to find myself in a bad space mentally and couldn’t wait to leave. I had Judy, Bill and Deanne in my car and we followed the kids to find Santa on his rounds and then popped by to look at a few places with lights. I walked and live streamed Candy Cane Lane which is always so beautiful. We also stopped in the parking lot below Mom’s window and wished her a merry Christmas. Once back at the house, I asked if we could decide on our days to book and buy tickets for Disneyland. I have been obsessing about it and need to get it done and compartmentalize it away so I can get work done and organized to go. I caused a big todo by asking on Christmas Eve and while I was putting things in stockings, Ashlée took me to task over it. I lost my shit and decided to go home. Rae stopped me upstairs and we had a good long talk and I came off the ledge. I don’t understand the dynamics with my middle child. Often I just am able to walk away or ignore, but tonight, her attitude was the straw and I hate that I made a scene. I am calmer now although part of me still wishes I was home in my own bed. I probably should book a session to talk out the things that have been building up.
Advent penMy new organizer that I bought yesterdayMom in the windowWill, Sawyer, Lukas, Demitri, Gene
I woke up late today and I hope to spend time with friends and family so I reached out in my family group asking if anyone had some fun planned today. Apparently that was a little too passive aggressive. I should’ve just said hey I am on holidays and looking for some fun. I was filled in on all of the things that everyone was doing and not invited to join. I processed that information and headed out just to be around people at Walmart and the mall to fill my seasonal bucket. I used my gift cards to buy a decoration for my yard which made me happy and then another one at the liquor store. They didn’t have the brand my friend hoped I would be able to buy, but I was able to pick up two that I do like. I went to Encore and picked up my founders purchase of a T-shirt that was available finally. Came home and my neighbour Tracey came over and we watched “ being Canadian” on prime and thoroughly enjoyed it and our visit and now we are making a plan to fulfil one of the things on my bucket list which is to go to the Galapagos islands. There was a deal posted and we have to decide by December 30 to travel in September 2024. I hope she is able to make it work because it is something that I really want to do and would enjoy it more sharing with a friend.
I bought this for 5 bucks for next yearGifts from friends Scores this!
This morning’s advent was another pair of my favourite socks
I was busy getting payroll done, but took time to enjoy lunch with some others in the coworking space. I then got it all done in time to join a bunch of friends at the Fire Hall for a beverage. It was so nice to be included and I had a great visit with those at my end of the table. Next stop was Save-On to grab a few things for Christmas breakfast and stockings. I stopped at Arby’s as I was wearing my Arby’s Christmas sweater and wanted to drop them off some chocolates. It was nice to see the previous coworkers and wish them the best. I came home and dropped everything off before heading to Tim and Shawna’s for a casual poker game. It was fun and I lasted from 7:30 until 11:30 nearly making it into the money. I am grateful to be invited to these games and look forward to the big game next Saturday night which usually kicks off the league for the year. The wind is howling and I will have to go properly peg down my inflatable decorations in the morning. It is hard to believe it’s only two more days until Christmas Eve shenanigans at the Guedes house.
My alarm went off and I begged it to shut up and reset for at least a half hour later. I did make it to the office to get some work done before heading to the Rotary lunch. I had the managers of the two radio stations, a lovely couple, Natalie and Marvin at my table, as well as Jordan from AMP, who I know though theatre. It was a festive party with Friends of Bud leading in Christmas carol singing. I stopped at a client to pick up some papers and then back to the office to wrap up a painful file. I sold the concrete table for $100 and a bottle of wine. I played elf, dropping off some gift bags to people who bring me joy, including my fave server at Encore, the owners.. and my hairdresser.
Once home I worked on what looked like should be an easy puzzle, but it is not, and I am tired, so off to bed I am.
I got a lot done after dropping my car off at Hyundai for its 1 & 3 service. They drove me back to the office and picked me up a couple hours later when it was ready. Next thing I knew it was time to head to Joseph Creek Village to meet Bill & Deanne, Donna & Hogie for Mom’s Christmas Buffet dinner. It was delicious and the company was great. They really do know how to put on a spread there!
Donna had picked up a picture at Centre 64 that I had bid on thanks to her when we were there a few weeks ago. It was a silent auction and I just doubled the minimum with no expectation. It says unknown artist and sure looks like the work I saw in Peru. I received an email that I had won it for only $20.
Once home, I started a new puzzle and watched The Voice. I feel pretty good about life right now. I even picked up Party Crackers for Christmas dinner today and plan to make brunch for everyone on Christmas morning. I will pick up Mom and bring her for dinner. Jake and Yumi are coming and I was grateful when Ashlée said they could stay there. I am not organized for company and it will be easiest with Emmy to be with her cousins.
Frustrations out of the way first… I don’t like to run down others in my industry but the lack of useable information by the company that prepared my client’s year end is staggering. I reached out several times asking for the same basic info I need every year and was sent.. a tax return. For those in the business, a return is what you can claim to the government, bookkeeping is everything run through the company and it much match Trial Balances at the year end. I can not make the information match and spent 3 hours on it today… sigh.
My advent made me smile as always
I arrived at the office to be blessed all day with gifts!
At 4 I met with first, Steve, Lallah and MaryAnne about Rotary and then just Steve to work on the 2024 budget for FPPAS. It went smooth and we were done by 6. I worked a little more on the files and them headed to see Karissa for a haircut at 7:30. She gave me a tidied up shag cut and we had a great visit. I stopped at Encore and was thrilled to see that Grace was working. I ordered some nachos and a drink, and she joined me to talk about her haunted house. We had a great visit and she made it clear she doesn’t stay after at work usually. That made me feel good.
I came home and watched Reindeer Games and puzzled. It is good to blow off the day.
I knew I would need a pick me up this week and was grateful to get a 9:15 nail appointment with Minh. He did a great job that I love and will work well through New Year’s Eve.
Once at the office, I was surprised by Layla with some gifts she said screamed Marnée. She did good!
I was frustrated today as I spent a good deal of time awaiting information even though payroll cutoff was Friday and Saturday. I went for acupuncture at 4 and had to return to the office until after 7 to get it done. To be fair, I don’t think everyone realizes how much there is to do in the background to ensure T4s including benefits and union dues are correct. I look forward to some true down time next week.
Once home, I made some perogies in the air fryer as I need to get used to using it again. I am disappointed in myself that I let a quarter of my lost weight come back. I will make a good change again next month.
I puzzled and watched 90 day. I seem to go to work and puzzle…. Must be winter!
I puzzled before and after picking up mom to take her to the mall for family and friends Santa photo. I also finished watching The Crown and began Fisk, which is an odd Australian show.
It really was just a lovely day. I relaxed and puzzled until it was time to drop a prezzie off for my friend Diana for her birthday and then pick up Monica to go bottle our Port and Bourbon Barrel Pinot Noir we had put down. Unfortunately there was a communication error and the port was not put down. We will get it to bottle in January now. Jessica and Serena were there as well and we bottled all our batches and theirs before retiring to Monica’s. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying wine and dinner and games. It was a great visit and as always, good for my soul. I was only disappointed to find out that there was a cast and crew Christmas party at Brenda’s and I hadn’t been invited. I think that when Galen got there he mentioned it as I received a message from Brenda that I was invited and should get over there. I was home and in my jams by then, and well, once the bra is off… no going out.I am settled in watching The Crown season 6 and shall get a good sleep tonight.
I like my erasable ink llama pen and kitty note paper from today’s advent. They amuse me
I took the time to put together some gingerbread port and cards to give to the women who always uplift me at the GroundFloor. Carrie, Chelsea, Kirsten and Lynnette are wonderful women who never bring me down. I wanted to let them know I am grateful. I also gave one to Chance who is the same, a smile on legs.
After getting a lot of random work done, I headed for acupuncture. Afterwards I came home to pick up a stack of old vinyl that has been picked through to give to Key City for New Year’s decor as it is set in the 70’s. I took the time to throw up some Christmas inflatables while I was at it
I dropped off a t-shirt I ha bought for Rae-Anne and then got a text from Lukas that he needed a ride from school where he was score keeping a basketball tournament. Once at the theatre I was hit by a wave of vertigo which I haven’t had for a few weeks. I worked with Julia on the bar for the Pretty For the People Christmas show. It went well and I was especially impressed by my beautiful oldest child and her friends. They were so happy and pretty.
I like the decoration on the GroundFloor Christmas tree that has my business on it.
Once home again, I enjoyed some crown and puzzled as I watched Big Brother Reindeer games. It is silly fun. This puzzle is more challenging, especially since I didn’t sort the pieces ahead
Worked, went to rotary lunch where I learned about event planning from Trevor Thors who does such for the city, returned to work.
Received a delicious gift from a client and fun socks in my advent
The GroundFloor Christmas party was fun, interacted with a few new people. Loved the bag that Carrie had
worked and offered James a ride to Encore. Decided to stay and have a beer, which was the best decision ever. A couple came up to order and somehow the name Ritchie Street was mentioned so I engaged them in conversation to discover that Dennis Olson’s uncle was my first crush in Kimberley. from the time I was 13 or so I was enamored of Bobby Turner. We had a physical relationship in the latter days of my teenhood, but he worked away and there were no cell phones, and I wasn’t sure of our relationship, so I met Bill and told Bobby it was over when he next returned. I always questioned that decision. When I returned to the Kootenays, I searched him on Facebook to no avail. Now, Dennis has my contact info, says he is a good guy and is single, albeit, it Hamilton, Ontario. I can’t explain how much my girly self hopes to reconnect with him…. Time will tell.
I didn’t really want to wake up this morning as early as I did but it was necessary to get to the office to answer all my email before heading to the Chamber lunch at Heidout. I was so happy to be assigned at a table that ended up including across from me, Trevor Crowley from the paper, whom I know, and next to me, Joey and Christine Hoechsmann who own Hush Interiors. I have been at many events at the same time as them but have not had a conversation. It was fun and comfortable for me. I really enjoyed the whole event, including the delicious cocktail I had. It was nice to see Nancy Reid win the door prize as well. Once back at the office, I got more done and then had a session via go to meeting to learn more about Google Workspace for Fisher Peak. Lance did a great job teaching me the highlights. We had to end it as I had an acupuncture appointment and really needed the work on my neck. It was complicated as I am driven to rage when I hear people eating and drinking. He was quiet, but I could hear him and had the worst time relaxing. I did explain that to him for next time. He was apologetic and understanding. I had to run back to the office to run an intermediary payroll and then went to meet Rae-Anne at Encore for Rib night. We had a good visit and then headed home. I sewed brocade on the robes for Jesus Christ Superstar and watched my shows. Oh, and I received a parcel from the Hearndens in the UK. I opened the card and enjoyed the cookie 🙂
Gift from a client!Advent anticipation of Halloween 2024
I was at a clients on the outskirts of town by just after 10 am and worked with her until 2 when I took a break to run to the office and check on a payroll query. I was back at her office just after 3 and we worked until 5:45 as I needed to be at East Side Mario’s for 6. I had signed up for a paint night as soon as I saw it was to be a llama. I sat at a table by myself and the last group to arrive were three Spanish speaking ladies who were lovely to sit with. We had a nice time and I was pleasantly surprised how I understood the drift of a lot of their conversation. One of them is the French assistant at the middle school and knows Lukas and Will. She said they are both good boys. My painting turned out not bad and I added the saying on my own. Afterward, I ordered food and then the holiday train went by which I forgot was coming. I asked for my food to go and left to luck into a parking spot right in the lot as someone was leaving. I wandered and found the girls and most of the kids and we enjoyed the performances. I left to wander to the engine so I could take a video as it left, but it turned out it just pulled forward a bit and was there for the evening. I walked and took a video before leaving. Once home I ate a little of the food, and settled in to try to get tired. It was a good day.
triumphgal 