Paid for a few more things for the Rome portion. Hard to believe it’s 16 more sleeps.
Received an invite to the last supper at Southside community Church, which is now the neighbourhood church as it is being torn down. I was one of the original members of that church back in the 90s and it was nice to be invited but it is January 31 which is a tough time of year to drive down there so unless I find a screaming deal I’ll have to think about it.

It was strange to have a Tuesday off due to national truth and reconciliation day. I didn’t go anywhere or wear my orange shirt or participate in anything, but it has been on my mind a lot about what it means.
I have such a conflictive relationship with myself and my feelings, having lived in Heiltsuk territory and I realize that I didn’t even understand a lot of it while I lived there I just saw the horror of generational trauma. I do pray that each generation breaks the chain a little bit more until it completely releases.
It may be my favourite day of the month as it signifies being wrapped for that period. today was even better as I have tomorrow off! I did some work for someone who reached out on Facebook and was pleased he paid immediately. I also renewed my Serve It Right which will kindly be reimbursed by Key City Theatre
Once home, I started a new puzzle that Marg Jensen gave me and watched my shows. I like puzzle time while The Voice is on as I don’t have to pay as close attention.
I did get a funny email today. Apparently CRA is thirsty
I did make myself do a lot of chores today, but I also completed my Mario Lego sets
I can’t even believe I still had to mow a thick lawn and it’s almost October. What a strange year we have had. It was nice not to have a fire somewhere though for a change.
A couple weeks ago I got a notice that Kevo would no longer be supporting the app that opens and closes it with the use of my phone. After November, something I would need to use a key, which is a pain for many reasons so I ordered a different one from Amazon that had decent reviews and installed it today. I don’t think it is as good as quality, but it looks good and more or less matches my handle and will be much easier. Just having a code. I can give to someone by text if they need to get in.
Being on stage at The Stage Door last night sent me down memory Lane and I took pictures in the lobby of all the shows I ever acted in or produced there over the years. Here they are in chronological order.
ActorActorActorProducer/Sound & Light TechProducerI was the Aurora Borealis
I believe my legacy there, though was being part of this Theatre renovation as I got to design the tech booth in my role as Tech Director. It amused me to see my own handwriting, still on the board, after not being involved for so long. Seems all that changed was the name and number of the TD
Really all I did today was Lego and watch shows and then went to MC at The Locals it was a pretty great day and I did get the well needed sleep in. I did wear heels for the first time and my ankle was just fine. That is a relief.
Dave Prinn Piper StandingTwo Ticks-Rollie Cummins and Steve KnowlesJamie Neve Jon BissetMatt and ErikaThe Confluentials – Christina Blaskovich and Barry CoulterBeth CrawleyMark Casey
The best thing about the evening is that people pay $20 for a ticket to the show. Everything else is volunteer the performers, the crew everyone and after the rental of the space, the profits are given out to local school band programs. What a great reason for live music.
As I tossed and turned in the night, I remember that one of the side effects of the medication can be insomnia. I just got up early. I’ve got on with the day after spending some time on a new Lego set. As far as I know, it will be the last of my Starr collection as I now have each of my favourite characters. At the end of the day once home again I finished Wicket the Ewok.
The day was not without its challenges and at one point, I found myself, frustrated, irritated, and probably Hangry. Kirsten in the next office, kindly went and picked up sushi for herself, Keri and I, which was exactly the right amount of food that I needed.
I had a laugh when I glanced at my desktop wallpaper, and for the first time noticed that it looked like my friend Kathy had two tattooed sleeve arms because of the people sitting on each side of her. The picture is from one a group of us from music fest went on a houseboat trip on the shoe swap back in 2016. I took a picture of it and sent it to her only to find out that she had had a tough year. After surviving breast cancer 24 years ago, she has just had to have a radical mastectomy and she can’t have radiation because she had it 24 years ago. She says she is on the mend and very well supported by her husband and daughter, but I really just want to give her a hug.
That’s sad must’ve been sitting with me because after work when I stopped at Rotary Park where the Legion was having a celebration fundraiser to restore and put a fence around the cenotaph it was so great to see Danika‘s husband Malcolm and get a big hug. He was there with the army reserve. I also found it amazing that one of the therapeutic paws dogs practically dragged his owner straight to me and leaned against my legs for a pet and a moment. Animals really can sense things it’s true.
The post office is on strike again, which will make mom nervous because she doesn’t have online access to her credit card
I left the park and headed to several spots downtown, looking for a nice shot glass from the area to bring as my gift swap at the meet and greet on the cruise. I didn’t have any luck, but was amused by the pigeons playing in the dog bowl outside on the street.
I was heading home when I decided to stop at Fenwick & baker hoping to see Michelle and the other friends I haven’t seen in a while because I am trying to save money and not stop there. She was there and I ended up having a nice visit with her and with Bob Wagstaff, who it turns out is the brother of the guy I used to live beside when I first moved to Cranbrook. It really was a lovely way to and my busy busy week. I decided not to go to poker tonight as another way of saving some cash and also I’m so tired from last night. It was a good choice that I gave up my seat at the table.
Back at home I just played Lego for a few hours. I love the little details in the builds that no one even gets to see like the little heart in the body of the Ewok.
I did start working on another step decided that I am too tired to stay up all night finishing it well another couple of hours anyway so I will work on it again in the morning. I’m sure that people think I’m rich with how much Lego I’m building, but to be honest, I have been buying it over the course of a year and a half and stacking it up to do when I need the relief and joy it brings.
Rotary lunch was informative as Derek Penson gave his bio. He has gone through a lot and has a huge heart of service for a guy born in 1991!
The most interesting thing was that it was build your own sandwich day, and I was halfway through my sandwich when I realized my stomach was full. I pushed my plate away. I’m guessing that’s the medication at work, but I am finding that I am eating less and being conscientious to eat healthy using my Noom tools. I didn’t even feel like snacking when I got home tonight so I’ve just been drinking water.
After work and helping Ashlée with her paperwork I headed over to Encore for trivia night. Brett is still in Invermere so I joined six others this time and we came in second by only two points. We did horrendously on the final music round, which was all country. It was fun though.
Bring on the Cheese!
Once home, I finished my Lego project that I had started last night and I just love it!!
I finished my Pixar lamp by putting the light in. It’s got a remote control and options, so adorable
The day involved a stop at the office to make a payment, and send in my criminal record check for volunteering, and then off to my client again. We got her all caught up to date, phew!
I spent the day onsite at a client and left to pick up the cake I’d ordered and head to help Rae with dinner. Greg, Cassidy, Aiden and Maya and Benson arrived. Ashlée picked up Mom and we all had a lovely turkey dinner. I got good Benson time. He is very calm and alert and incredibly strong for being just under two months old.
It was sweet to see my oldest grandson cuddling my brother’s oldest grandson.
I gave Greg a gift that I’d had for a couple years having bought it in a fundraising auction for my friend Gordon. It is the St Eugene hospital that Greg was born in and after it burned down the artist made the frame from some of the wood that remained. I was keeping it for his 60th but he is in his 60th year, so close enough!
It turned out to be a cooler windy day, so I stayed indoors and did a few things and puzzled and watched a couple of shows. I finished The Pitt which truly deserved all the awards it won. The next on my list was the Charlie Sheen documentary, which was pretty honest. I then watched the documentary, Unknown Caller, which was almost too bizarre to be true. I still can’t completely wrap my head around it.
The Rotary on the rock social today was supposed to be Minh golfing in a barbeque at 5 PM but because of the weather we were all texted to meet in the downstairs of the Heid-out where all of the barbeque items were ready for us and we ended up having a nice social there.
After that, a group of us ladies, some who were at the social and somewhere met us at the theatre and David at the last minute, I went to the Jess Moskaluke concert at Key City Theatre. The opening act was Zac McPhee. He shared that 13 years ago he played for the Kooteney Ice in Cranbrook. He was a good singer, songwriter, and the crowd seemed very happy.
Jess was awesome and it’s no surprise that she is the first Canadian solo female country artist to go platinum since Shania Twain but the volume in the theatre was so loud it hurt. I was glad to have my loops with me. She does have a very pure voice and a great energy. She’s also quite stunning. She clearly loves her fans as before she even began a sign was up, telling us to upload our videos to her site, and she took time during the Encore to take selfies with all the young ladies that came to the front of the stage. Great engagement with our audience.
She told us that she began her career covering songs on YouTube
This afternoon Deb and I spent time together visiting and reviewing each off ship day of the trip, booked one, and clarified which days we are off doing our own things. It was a really great couple of hours and now I know which places I can plan my own day completely. It’s getting exciting even more as it all comes together
Today was quite relaxed and lovely. I got so much work done. Walked o er to the Heidout where I was treated to lunch out in the patio and a nice visit with Chad, an accountant that I refer clients to in Kimberley. I then walked down Baker street to Delamont Jewellers to see about my rings that I dropped off in July. I had had them cut off before I left for Ecuador and one of the two also had lost a small sapphire. They were having trouble sourcing the right size replacement so I just took the fixed larger one for now. It felt so right to have it back on. It is unique and was the engagement ring my Dad gave Donna. I usually wear it with the pinky (on me) engagement ring from her first husband, George, who died. He was one of my Dad’s closest friends. The picture doesn’t do justice to how sparkly they are. The heart was my Mom’s (Barb’s) grad ring. My right hand feels whole again
It occurred to me as I was walking that there are three perfect businesses downtown and side by each.
It was 27C today! My Hollyhocks are going to seed and blooming at the same time
This evening I made dinner, puzzled for a bit, and am watching The Pitt. It deserved the Emmys it got.
Rotary lunch had technical issues but the speaker, Mike Crowe, the new president of the College of the Rockies gave an informative presentation and I learned some interesting facts about our local college as well as about the changes with the foreign student laws.
Back at the office things took a turn as one of my main clients, who is selling, seemed to be making impossible demands of me, while I am away. Oct 31st is a Friday and the stores don’t close until 11. She wanted all the GST and PST filed that day. I can’t even get the info until after they close. Even with the time change it is unreasonable to expect me to do the work on what would be Saturday in Barcelona. I did point out that there will still be bills coming in for utilities etc and even if I was home, I wouldn’t be doing it on a Friday night or weekend. I was very frustrated and always go the extra mile for my clients but this was ridiculous. She wants me to meet with the accountant that she says is demanding this. We shall see how that pans out.
I decided to go to Encore and play trivia. Brett was out of town so I joined the family and friend group. We were the Nine of Farts and won! Made a whole $18 back, lol. It was fun and I’m glad I went
I have been careful about my eating and drinking, combining what I learned from Noom with the pills I am taking and am slowly losing. That is the best for keeping it off. The only real side effect I have is a mild headache if I don’t drink enough water. I am drinking lots though, given how often I have to wee!
My Amazon CC was compromised so that’s annoying. Someone tried to charge a 697.00 dinner yesterday. Thankfully it was declined and I have a new card on the way.
I am disappointed that I haven’t heard back from Power Paving about the terrible state of my expensive job.
At 5 I headed to Key City to meet with the committee for a debriefing of EdFest. We had a good hour long session with some good ideas for next year and then Galen and I headed straight into the Key City volunteer orientation and fire drill training. We are all in charge of evacuation and it has happened in the past.
Had a visitor this morning
I love my ‘pancake’ plant as it is known that Judy gave me. It is a Chinese Money plant and I love it.
I had another reflexology appointment today that made me so relaxed I was too mellow at Rae’s for dinner. Rae, Lukas, Sawyer and the new students Kael from Brazil and Rowan from Germany enjoyed a delicious deer roast and cheesy cauliflower followed by rhubarb pie and ice cream. They settled to play a game and I headed home for an early night.
I had two very interesting things today on my calendar. The first was a foot scam by my chiropractor to see if orthotics would help in anticipation of the walking. I will be doing on my trip. It was a very cool process. I walked across a plate several times and it monitored where my arches are where the pressure is in my step and I definitely do need them. I’ve known this is an issue most of my life and I’ve had store-bought ones that I used to use. It will be good to have new proper ones. I think the video is pretty cool showing my steps across the plate with the red being where the most pressure is. It is not supposed to be directly in the centre ball of my foot.
After my appointment, I came home and got an appetizer ready to take to the Rotary ladies get together at Judy’s house. I gently sautéed some shrimp and prawns in butter and a few spices added a sprinkle of chives and some sauce in the centre for dipping. It went over very well. There was a lovely gathering of about 14 ladies I think who all brought different appies and we had a good visit for a couple of hours. I enjoyed getting to know Rebecca better and was really glad she came as she is only 27 I think in a new Rotarian. I’m glad I ran into her today and encouraged her to come. She said she had a good time.
I came home and got quite a bit accomplished on my impossible puzzle while I watched the Emmys that I had recorded. Rather unusual for a Monday, yes, but most enjoyable.
Today was pretty chill. I didn’t set an alarm but still woke up at a decent time and over the course of the day I watched some shows, did some puzzling and got a lot of chores done including washing floors, which has not been done in far too long. I also made some raspberry scones to bring to the office tomorrow morning.
Fortunately, today was the day it got extremely windy and the rain is coming in instead of yesterday for the bike race.
Although it was earlier than I have gotten up in a very long time and 5:30 AM was still in the dark, It was worth it to get picked up by Robin at 6:30 to head to St Eugene resort. I am the parking coordinator with five volunteers from the Rotary club of Cranbrook. We are supporting the sunrise Rotary of Cranbrook by volunteering. Paul and Kambie Heywood, Robyn Hicks, Walter Gramm and Jason Fast were an awesome team of volunteers. I laid out the plan for parking and people started arriving sometime after seven. By 930 we were done. It was a simply gorgeous morning as the sun rose over the reserve and the bikers as they arrived were in such good spirits often thanking us for volunteering. We manage to park over 250 cars and spread the love. I took it before and after picture and then one of the writers took a picture of us in front of the full field, which was lovely.
Once I was back home, I did have plans to work on my yard but honestly, I just relaxed and watched my shows and did a few small chores.
I was working on my impossible puzzle when Tracey messaged me for a visit and while we were sitting outside, our neighbor, Deb invited us over for a beverage. We wandered over and she made us some beergaritas that were delicious. 4 beer, 1 minute made lime juice, and the juice container full of Patron made for delicious drinks and great conversations.
It was a lovely end to the day
I want to document that I started on the pills today at 207.5 lbs and size XL
I was at the Cranbrook Chamber office by 8:45. Kyle Chris and Stacey who work there led myself, Leanne, Galen and John through the process of evaluating all the applicants. 3.5 hours later we had scored them all and the results will be tabulated for the Awards in late October. Shame I won’t be here for it. It was an interesting process.
I took some time to research and book my tour in Barcelona. I don’t want to miss the Familia Sagarda.
I picked up my Rybelsus pills and will start tomorrow morning.
triumphgal 