triumphgal

April 30, 2025

I struggled to sleep again last night, that’s just the pressure that I have put on myself and my lack of taking time to make lists and be prepared to go away on Friday, as well as worrying that something was terribly wrong with my ankle. When I woke up and my ankle was still off, I actually dug a crutch out of my closet and used it to walk down the hall until I was sure that I wouldn’t buckle.

I was careful getting myself to the office and did chores along the way dropping off a cooler for children’s fest to use and taking my recycling so that it wouldn’t blow all over the yard while I was gone. I got right down to business doing all the payroll of the day and at one point while I was walking up to the front of the building, I realized that I was walking with only a very slight ache, but my usual lope. I was so happy and remembered again that a perfect stranger had seen me in my boot, using the scooter and told me ‘ just wait till the cartilage snaps’. I couldn’t imagine what he was talking about but now I realize that something last night broke free. Maybe it was scar tissue I don’t know but my ankle feels so much better. There is still a dull lake and I know that’s going to take a while to go away, but I am walking normal. I didn’t limp when I got out of my chair at all today or out of the car it just feels Free. I am not every man of the day aware of it. Yay so many good things about the last day of April.

I opened the fridge at work today and found this. It made me laugh.

I was glad to be done at the office as early as I was so that I could make it to the arts building by closing time of four to pick up my beautiful piece of functional art that I bought back in March now that the showing is over.

I am strangely relaxed and waiting for my laundry to be done so I can throw it in the dryer and get a good nights sleep. Let’s see those May flowers

April 29, 2025

I was awake at 5:30 so got to the office early before going to a new client for 4.75 hours. I am taking over payroll for a large company for an indeterminate length of time as the person who has the job recently lost her son to suicide. I am impressed how the company is holding space for her and getting the work covered so she can take all the time she needs. once I got back to the office I managed to file the last GST quarter for the month as well as all but one family set of T1s. I hope to complete them tomorrow. My brain is very tired.

I came home and put a lasagna in the oven which was finally ready by 9:20. I managed to clear out my car and make a list in anticipation of leaving on Friday.

Just a few minutes ago I got up to walk to the bathroom and something clicked in my ankle which really hurt and made it hard to walk. I am sitting with it up now and have rubbed a cbd cream into it. Sigh.

April 28, 2025

It is a very interesting election. All across the country there are less than one percent leads which will make for recounts. They are calling it a Liberal victory but time will tell if it will be a majority or minority one.

I am too tired to stay up late enough to find out. It looks like our riding got Conservative Rob Morrison back in… can’t say that I am surprised. Sigh.

April 28, 2025

I didn’t write about this earlier as it was so sad and overwhelming They are calling it the darkest day in Vancouver history. On Saturday evening an SUV driven by a 30 year old plowed through a Philippine cultural festival. To this morning there are 11 confirmed dead from 5 to 65 years old. Many others are injured and more may not make it. The driver was known by police for mental health issues. Just heartbreaking.

April 27, 2025

Yikes. I must have gone from fine to not fine pretty fast last night. I don’t know who drove me and I have a weird mark on my left pinky. I can’t even fathom how I could have done it.

I had a slow get going but eventually picked up cat food and Moms pills and stopped to see Ashlée. She was trying to clean while Rae and Gene were moving him in to the suite. I got Lukas to help Fix the IKEA chair. After loading up some things to bring to thrift and drop off at theatre Ash and I had a good long hug as tomorrow she is leaving for Edmonton via Calgary. Lots of changes in the family dynamics.

I brought mom her pills and then went back to Safeway and did a shop before coming home, unloading the car and having some dinner of delicious ham and baby potatoes

I am ready to go to bed, but it is only 730 and I don’t want to be waking up just after midnight

It was a herring weather kind of day

April 27, 2025

It’s not very often that I write about a day the morning after, but it seems the gala was so much fun that I availed myself of the safe ride home and promptly fell asleep in my chair when I got here. I woke up at 3:35 in the morning to move myself to bed. It was a very good night. I had a lot of fun selling 50-50 with D’Arcy and visiting with the people at our table Johanna and Mark, Robbie, Wanda and Jason Caven, Niki and Rae-Anne. 

April 25, 2025

I’ve just come home from poker night where I played for three hours and came home having only spent 20 bucks. I was drinking non-alcoholic Rum and cola and now I just feel all tired and burpy lol. I probably should’ve skipped it being that I have a late night tomorrow night but at least I have no plans tomorrow morning except to sleep as long as I need to.

April 24, 2025

Today was fit in as much work as I can around my monthly maintenance of all things. Left work for my brow waxing then picked up Ashley at the office and we went to Rotary lunch. It was very interesting as I didn’t know we had cadaver dogs in Cranbrook. Thyme and his trainer Sharon gave an interesting presentation. To recertify he has to find the source in an 80 acre property within 2 hours! They use placenta for training!

Dropped Ashley off and registered for the District Conference in Nelson May 2-3. I will be able to share a room with Leanne. I was so excited to realize I could make that happen as Nelson is only an hour or so from Mark and Kaslo and I will be picking him up that next day. It all worked out perfectly. I am now very excited about things that are coming up.

Next was getting my nails done A little Spring and bling

After meeting with Maxime, working on her taxes, and sending her home with homework, I headed over to the theatre to emcee the last of the Winter Ale series. There was a big mixup when they switched to the new ticketing system and although the event was supposed to be at 7 PM and it even said that on all advertising and media, the tickets said 7:30. I couldn’t figure out why nobody was there until 6:35

Oh well, that’s my job as the MC to keep things running and everybody seemed pretty cool and stayed right till the end. Aaron Alander was the opener and he did an entire original set on his guitar that he just finished making, a 12 year project.

Suzie was phenomenal, as a human and a performer. Turns out we have 25 friends in common on Fb, lol. She signed and gave me one of her CDs.

She also played an Amazing version of my favourite song

Ethan Askey joined her for a couple. They had met on Hornby Island

The finale was fantastic!

It was so lovely at the end when so many people purposely came to thank me for the season and hope to see me next year. This lovely little old lady named Trudy gave me a huge hug and thanked me for being the highlight of her winter. What a blessing.

April 23, 2025

I am exhausted, mostly because I am not sleeping long enough. I am fretting in my sleep.

I was asked to do 50/50 tonight as no one else stepped up so I did. I sold the winning ticket. The man was very happy.

Bucks lost 5-3. They have to win tomorrow ight or they are out.

April 22, 2025

My middle child is 38 today. She moves to Edmonton next week. I will miss her, but wish her all the good things

I was asked by Kenton, an accountant that I worked with 6 or 7 years ago, to contract to a big construction company that he works for. Beginning next week, I will run their 70 person payroll. I agreed to take it on for two reasons. They will pay my contract rate and they will cover me when I am unavailable. I won’t have to do their payroll from on the road. That is a sweet deal and now I just have to learn the software they use which I am unfamiliar with, but I know payroll and that’s the part that matters.

I stayed late and finished my own books and taxes today and I’m happy that I have kept enough money aside to pay them and then I can start paying for my trip. It’s tough being self-employed for having to pay so much but worth it for the freedom of schedule as a rule.

Not leaving the office until nine having something to eat and watch The Voice has left me very tired so I shall go. good night

April 21, 2025

I tossed a lot and woke up too early. I was replaying the day before. There were many great moments but I found myself on the outskirts again. There was a period of time when I had to make myself go to big family dinners as there is a family that they are very close to but their teenaged children were allowed to sit at the main table leaving no room for me so I often had Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners at the kids table. Now my own 17 year old Grandson has ‘aged up’ apparently and sat visiting with all of them or being on his phone while I was left standing, which I could only do for so long, and once again ate with the kids. I felt disrespected, that my acting up ankle was disregarded, and that I just wanted to go home.

I will have to get over it or kick out a kid going forward.

The best part of today was getting a message from Reid, Jackie’s son, that the celebration of life will be on Mother’s Day. I will be in Vancouver and can go! Such a blessing

The funniest part was when I voice to texted a client that I would check his urine tomorrow. What a laugh we had as I meant year end.

April 21, 2025

I got a lot of chores and sorting things done today and also managed to finish the lights on my BB eight make cookies to laundry and take some time to watch a three part documentary about the dark side of young influencers

In the afternoon over at the family, in between bouts of rain, we managed to have our Easter egg hunt, followed by dinner of delicious ham and lasagna and Caesar salad and homemade pie. I was glad Maddi liked the little purse and pink Cadillac Gummies that I got her. I certainly liked my selection of beverages from Rae-Anne

I was also spoiled with some special birthday presents.

Unfortunately, everyone had mostly left when Rae-Anne remembered that they had a cake for me. She had gone out of her way to find me a very beautiful rainbow cake with glitter frosting. It was very light and delicious and I left there very very full.

I came home at a relatively early time because there were some things I needed to do still including kitty litter and garbage out and restraining the lights now that the tree was trimmed.

Once I was in for the night, I put my jammies on and settled down to build my mini millennium falcon and dancing Groot

April 19, 2025

The first email I read when I woke this morning was a lovely birthday greeting from Lorne Westnedge the district governor for Rotary district 5080.

I responded that I was surprised and thanked him

He replied that the real surprise might be that it was also his birthday and that of Rotary founder Paul Harris.

We had a nice chat back-and-forth about what we are doing with family and grandkids, and I was left with a very big smile on my face

I shared this with Leanne who has become a lovely Rotary friend and she said that I was obviously destined to become a Rotarian.



April 19, 2025

I awoke far too early. I was ready for the girls when they arrived at 10:30. We had such a good visit. They played with the things I got them for Waster and then dug into the tickle trunk where Gwen found the little kitchen items that were Rae and Ashlées when they were small. She made toast and coffee. I loved the plant they brought me.

They helped me build my shoe cubby and I only wish I’d taken time to take a video of our assembly line. Emmy put the pieces in place that Gwen brought us, I put the connector in place and Gwen used the little wooden mallet to secure it.

As we were enjoying pizza together Gwen asked ‘why Emmy Nana?’ I said I was her Nana too if she wanted and I got the big happy response. I was glad to have the bonus granddaughter over for the first time.

As soon as they left I jumped into the shower and then headed to Key City to volunteer for the first time this year. It was the Alphabet of Awesome Science and over 450 people in big and small family groups laughed and seemed to have a great time

A girl left her ears behind. I think they would look great on Mary

I was surprised by an awesome gift from Galen, Monica and Zoe. I forgot that I enjoyed sitting g on one at their house and intend to use it on my straight back chair when doing LEGO

Galen, Monica and I met at Fenwick & Baker to watch game 1 between St Louis and Winnipeg. 5-3 Jets

On the way home I stopped for the cheapest gas in a very long time!

I read all my lovely birthday messages, was especially touched by some DMs, had a great chat with Mark after he sang to me and am falling asleep in my chair. All in all a great day!

April 18, 2025

It was nice to have a good sleep in and a relaxing morning before I head off to do my duty as a Canadian I know it is a privilege to vote that not all women nor all people in the world get to, but this may be the most complicated election I’ve ever had to vote in

From there, I went to the office where I sorted all of our paperwork and filed Mom’s taxes and reconciling my books for the last year so that I can do mine soon. I don’t want to be the last one again this year and I need to know how much I owe so I can settle that up before I pay for my cruise.

While I was at the office Danika message to see if I could have Emmy and Gwen from 1030 till one tomorrow. Normally, I would’ve just jumped at it but it’s a little more complicated as I am volunteering at 1:45, it’s my birthday, and I had no groceries in the house nor am I very childproof at the moment with all the stuff out that I’m sorting. I thought about it though, and decided that I would love to spend some time with the girls and it’s the first time that I will have Gwen stay with me. I left the office and went to save on where $300 later I had my groceries. My snacks some Easter treats for the girls and I’m ready for the week to come. It’s been a long time since I’ve done groceries and kind of felt nice. Once I got home, I heated up a pizza and then put together my little bags of goodies for the Easter hunt on Sunday and for the girls to have tomorrow 

April 17, 2025

I was up silly early, but managed to get back to sleep and take my time getting into the office this morning. I got some work done and then headed to my mom’s to drop off her birthday gift in anticipation of her opening it with Ashlée and having Ashlée hang it in her apartment. It was a photo of the turtles that Ashlée had taken that I very much love and knew Mom would like too.

The Rotary lunch was especially fun as Judy brought birthday cupcakes because her birthday is on Sunday and she is the person who announces all of the birthdays and anniversaries. She called out the birthdays in this next week and called all of us the power five., Beth Bennett, Carol, myself, Lallah and Judy. We are definitely five women who are very involved with the organization. I am proud to be in their company. It was an interesting talk today from Karen Penner and Loree giving us the history of Sam Steele sweethearts, which has now morphed into the youth ambassador program There was no opportunity for questions, but I do wonder at what point will there not be a gender restriction? I think it is important that labels not be applied when it comes to being an ambassador for our city

Back at the office, I was spoiled with a cake and singing.

After work, I stopped and had a lovely visit with Michelle at the bar at Fenwick & bakerbefore heading over to Encore. My team was unavailable tonight for trivia as one of them had to head out of town and the other had a hangover so I was grateful when Roger reached out to join them. It was Roger, Zac, Nesta, Sharaya with her son Hudson and myself, and we won! Took home $77 for my five dollar investment, which was definitely a bonus and our team name was Hoppy Easter. I did very well in the gin category.

I arrived home to a gift hanging from my door from the lovely Diana Grabenhof. We fall into this delightful pattern of gifting each other on our birthdays. I honestly don’t remember when it began and we don’t even see each other very often but there’s just something special about celebrating someone being born and she weirdly knows me so well. The gifts were brilliant. I feel like the only time we’ve been out together intentionally was for sushi so the gift is perfect.

I was also overwhelmed when I decided to check my mail even though I had checked it yesterday. There was a part of me that I’m not necessarily proud of that was sad that I didn’t get any birthday cards. And then tonight I had the biggest surprise of all getting one from Kevin O’Driscoll. I’m met him at a Rotary and he has very much tuned in with support. He and his wife moved here from Australia, although he is originally from Ireland and I had to let him know how much it meant to me to make such a simple gesture. I was brought up to feel that birthdays were special that it was important that I was on this planet. I try to let people in my life know that I feel that way about them and I also try not to expect too much from others. In spite of the fact that it is important to me that I am having a birthday. Is that weird?

April 16, 2025

It was so weird to drive home at 9:28 PM and it wasn’t completely dark considering that it snowed today! Serious herring, weather happening here. #IYKYK

I was moved when I got up and saw that my love you sign was lit up. I don’t even know how it is possible that the batteries are still working so I just acknowledged my guardian angels because I feel like I get signs from flickering lights and other effects from them and I felt like it was a good start to the day.

I was up stupid early again so I was at the office at a decent time. Got a lot of work done before going to pick up Mom and bring her to the dentist for 11 where they determined that she needs some work done and potentially a replacement for her decades old Plates. The rub is that the new ones will be more comfortable, etc. but are good for 3 to 5 years. She doesn’t even remember when she got these ones that’s how old they are and how long they have lasted sigh

Once we were done at the dentist, I took her to the mall because she was wearing a size 16 super long coat that made it hard for her to get in and out of the car and she’s about a size 8 now although we ended up having to get her a larger size so that she could get her arms into it more easily. There was a good sale plus they gave my birthday discount to her so she had some good savings. She also bought me a jacket for next winter that was $140 regular on for $40 for my birthday so win-win.

Back at the office, I got a ridiculous amount off my list and had a lovely little visit with Monica that culminated in an invitation to stop by for a quick glass of wine after work. This of course turned into a three hour amazing visit with her and then Galen when he came back from one of his meetings. I appreciate that the bubble we reside in allows us to say what needs to be said about over things that we are involved in.

Three hours later, I made it home for a fancy dinner. My own version of charcuterie.

April 15, 2025

I woke up at 10 after five this morning stress overthinking, even though I’ve never failed to get everything done in an April and I have a great deal of it done now halfway through my psyche doesn’t process it as well. I was at the office early enough to get a great deal done before I came home to meet the guy who needed leaves for mulch. He showed up and raked up most of my maple leaves. He was very grateful, but as I told him, it was a win-win because my ankle is still hurting from trying to rake on Sunday. I left him to finish off and hustled over to Karissa‘s for a lovely visit and haircut and then stopped to chat with Zac at Encore bar and visit with random friends that happened to be there or pass through as I was there. It was a nice hour and now I’m weirdly home before dark And looking forward to a good night sleep all good April, I got you.

Today they launched the auction online for the Rotary district conference where I donated the crib board that I made. It’s a cute write up.

I must say that the city of Cranbrook has hired a creative and amusing marketing person. This made me want to need a sani-dump.

April 14, 2025

Of course, Monday morning is the first day that I could really sleep in in the last three days. My alarm went off at 8:30, which is my failsafe in case I actually do get sleep, but I rarely sleep until it goes off except today. I was lying in bed doom scrolling, trying to convince myself to get up when my phone rang and it was the Culligan guy saying he was going to arrive in half an hour even though I was told he couldn’t make it till after 11. This would work out far better for me so I left up, jumped in the shower and was dressed and ready making my first coffee just as he knocked on the door. He serviced my whole house, soft nurse system, and my drinking water system, and I puttered at spring cleaning my stove while it was pulled out so he could access one of the systems. I laughed as I was putting it all back and noticed that the paprika lid was on the thyme. I didn’t spend any more time to find out where the paprika is at the moment as those spices have been above my hot range for too long to be effective at all anyway they’re mostly decorative at this point. It did make me wonder who switched lids, though as I am digestively challenged by paprika.

Work was multitasking as always, but I did take the time to check out the WestJet deals and then compare the flights from Florida to Cranbrook using my AIR MILES to find that I can get a direct flight from Orlando to Calgary and then over to Cranbrook for $47 in taxes and fees and 3000 something AIR MILES. I reached out to the travel agent who booked my cruise to find out if she can get me a good deal on a Disney hotel’s package, including tickets before I book the actual flight back, but I figure in for a penny, in for a Canadian dollar. This will be one of the biggest trips I’ve ever taken in my life if not the biggest so why not add a week in the happiest place on earth, especially since I won’t be going to the states unless absolutely necessary in the next four years.

I did make sure I took time to eat so I popped into the final and Baker had a nice visit with Robby and his friend at the bar Darcy. The Baja tacos went very well with what I would call a version of a Pisco sour that he calls a blackberry king. it really was pretty much the ingredients of a Pisco sour using blackberry crown instead of Pisco.

Next was meeting my friend Laura at the old candidates forum put on by JCI. It was very informative, and I found myself conflicted by our local constituency candidates.

In order of the way they presented themselves tonight, party not withstanding:

Dr. Jim Wiedrick- Independent

Kallee Lins- NDP

And the. The other three in honestly no particular order:

Steven Maffioli (a little green in experience lol)- Green party

Rob Morrison-Conservative (see below)

Reggie Goldsbury (I wanted to think he was capable but he was a little bit of a ham)

I am going to wait until the video is posted of this evening to share an actual clip of Rob Morrison who I believe said he was surprised at discrimination against women and LBGTQ+…  well that is what I heard in his response to a question and was immediately struck by his white male privilege as he felt it has come about because of Trump. Again, in an effort not to misrepresent what he said, although it is still echoing in my brain, I am going to wait for the video and I will record and share that part to review it and give him the benefit of the doubt.

This was my favourite thing I saw today as it reminds me of my friend Monica and me