and I love her to the moon, my mini me. She can get under my skin faster than anyone else, and I am pretty sure it goes both ways. When she sees me and smiles all the way to her eyes… it makes me so happy. This morning I got that smile at the door when I dropped her present off.
My work day was not without its complications and was broken up by volunteer work, but I still managed to get a lot done.
It was good to have a subcommittee meeting today and get some things sorted. It was better to get home and relax as my ribcage hurts when I even breathe deep from lifting that fence by myself yesterday.
This morning I tried to think of something I wanted to say about my friend Gordon Sheridan at his Celebration of Life this afternoon. I felt a strong need to do so and it was driving toward anxiety. I decided to do some chores and think on it. I stepped out to call in Missy and saw that my fence had blown over into the neighbour’s yard. The wind was strong, but I suspect there was more at play and my first reaction was to laugh and blame Gord. It reminded me of the day I was supposed to take him for a ride in the Willys when the neighbour stormed over and threatened to burn my fence panels if I didn’t get them stood up properly. I cancelled the ride and got it done and then we never did get that drive together. I came back in the house when I was finished rebuilding it and looked up what day it was that I first built it. It was a year ago exactly !! That made me laugh as I realized Gord had written the final chapter for us.
I got myself cleaned up and headed to Key City Theatre where the Celebration of Life was in the lobby. It was a lovely setting and a beautiful tribute. I did get up and tell my story of today and how we had a shared love of Red Dwarf. I ended by saying that I only wished that he were in stasis. It was nice to see so many familiar faces from so many areas of the arts.
I came home and made a good meal and will go to bed early as I am bone weary now.
Or so Google tells me that the day I was born was that many days ago. Heck of a way to spend the last day of being 60… hungover from a lack of sleep. I didn’t go right to sleep last night and the last I saw it was heading towards 2 in the morning. I woke up with a start sometime after 5, took a long time to get back to sleep and then at 7 am my Roomba, James II woke me with a cheery tone as he set about cleaning under my bed. By that point I was so annoyed, I just got up and sat in my chair with drivel on the TV as I drank coffee, had a smoothie and crocheted. I finally felt awake enough to shower and leave. I dropped my recycling, stopped at the office to check my email and then headed to Rotary lunch. I didn’t want to miss it as Jordan Nering was giving a talk about AI. He showed us the live workings of several versions of software. I admit it was pretty informative and scary in the same breath.
Back at the office I worked on free and flat rate work so I could go slow and concentrate more carefully. I got enough done to not feel the day was a right off. Actually, Trudy had supported and encouraged me, last night, to just enjoy and have a slack day, that I deserved it. It wasn’t long into the day that I remembered tomorrow I will be 61. It made me laugh with any of the energy I had left that I may have finally aged out of fun into the wee hours unless I let myself sleep as long as I need to afterward.
I came home and made a good meal with turkey meatballs, and roasted potatoes. It was good comfort food and I have been watching my Apple + shows. First was the most recent episodes of Palm Royale and Loot, now I have started watching For All Mankind. It is a very interesting what if scenario about the Space Race.
It’s as simple as, well, manifesting in thought what brings you joy.
I worked like a puppy chasing its tail today. I was not focused but rather multitasking on a ridiculous level.
I was at Key City for 4:30 to meet with the performers and host the Winter Ale evening. I can’t explain how many revelations I had about my relationship to live music. I was fully aware that I am the wind beneath the wings, that I love to help bring people joy. To see the performers connect with the audience brings me joy. I got to sit with my friend Monica and enjoy a beverage as we enjoyed the music. I was invited back to my friends, Dave and Trudy’s for a dram with them and a couple band members afterward. It was so good for my soul. There was much guitar playing and great conversation. It turns out that Jenny Allen, the headliner and I, have 21 mutual friends and we connected immediately. The evening was so great and I finally said, “I have to go, before I don’t” She asked if she could use that line in a song. Of course!
Seriously, my first response should or could have been, no, I have too much to do tomorrow, but the reality is that I was exactly where I needed to be to fill my soul. I have made a new friend in Jenny from Calgary, yay!
Heather Gammel and Dave PrinnJenny Allen bandMatt Kidd, the sound dudeThe prize package for the season
All the payroll, all the filings, all the stuff… just took longer today as the entire world is apparently trying to contact CRA and the banks. I followed up that day of frustration with a Board meeting. It went pretty well, a lot was discussed in a very open way and plans were made and agreed to. 5 of us hit up BP afterwards and I will be up for a bit longer as I ate too late. It’s raining, but not snowing, so that’s good. Just want to retain good vibes for what remains of my 61st year on the planet. I am holding onto the idea that I will be 61derful on Friday.
I slept in a bit, did laundry and a bit of cleaning. I crocheted but ran out of a colour and they didn’t have it at Walmart last time I checked. I ran 50/50 near the entrance and although I didn’t get to see much of the first two periods, the third one was action packed! We won Game 6 in OT against the West Kelowna Warriors. I went to Walmart on the way home and found the colour I needed in stock. Didn’t get home until well after 8, but figured I should make food. The corn chowder was delicious even with leaving out the jalapeño. my yard is so nice since Lukas raked it and now my willow is coming out in full force with the nice weather we’ve had.
I was brave enough to take a moment today. There were a small group of maybe 13 year old girls circling the mezzanine. Every time I saw one of them I would get a flash of her grownup self. I stopped her on o e round and said I didn’t want to be creepy old Nana but I saw immense power in her and wish for no one to ever take it away. She was glowing and asked if we could hug and just kept thanking me. I hope she holds that close when she needs it. I’ve never done that with a stranger before, especially a child.
I have enjoyed chores, rest, hobbies and cooking today. I finished my puzzle in the wee hours, got started on a diamond dot and watched up to date Palm Royale and Loot. I am now watching The Diplomat. It has been a huge block of time not talking to anyone and it feels refreshing.
Tax returns, Rotary Lunch, data entry, Tax returns and home to puzzle. We learned about Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer, Elk, Moose and Caribou. It’s a terrible, always fatal, easily transmitted disease which fortunately doesn’t cross species. Big topic round here!
That I picked up Rotary donations, meds, groceries for Mom and did other chores as well as worked. I did make time for fixing my nails as one has been broken for days, and going to the dentist. I have been grinding again so made an appointment in May to get fitted for a mouth guard. Sigh.
This amused me
Dinner was worth making even if it was 8 by the time I got home
Another full day. Layla brought pens from The Beatles Shop in the UK. Of course I picked the pink one.
I did a good mix of free and paid work before heading to Encore for dinner with other Founders and the new Friends With Benefits which I will be after this month. The food was delicious. Samples of what may end up on the menu served up with pitchers of beer. The company was great and I got the owners and brewmaster to sign my shirt.
I came home and worked on my puzzle and am now winding down for bed.
What a full Saturday! I got up and did chores before getting ready to pick up Will and Sawyer. We headed for Elkford to celebrate Emmy turning 7 yesterday. It is a nearly two hour drive and we had nice chats on the way.
It was great to see Malcolm and Danika’s home and hang out for a bit. Gwen comes for hugs now and Thea is nearly walking. Emmy was her usual rambunctious self and was very excavate we came to visit her. Danika gave us a sneak peek at the cake and treats for the school friends party. Gwen loved the purse I got Emmy and we had fun playing the game I gave her.
We left with enough time to get gas and be home for Will’s sleepover at a friend’s and my night out.
On the way home they used their calculators to challenge me. I answered all the questions correct until we got to ones with multiplication and division at the beginning and end. I did the math as they spelled it out, the calculator did it by math rules. It was a good learning moment and I left them impressed.
We stopped in Elko for gas as it was only 161.9 as opposed to 178.9 in Cranbrook.
Once back in town, I picked up Monica and we went to the show at Key City. Black and Rural was powerful and beautiful. I wish there had been a larger audience, school groups should have been there. The message was well delivered.
It was a decent day. I enjoyed the talk at Rotary from the president of the Friends of Fort Steele society. It took me down memory lane to when I was paid as an actor in the living history shows. 20 characters a day in crazy hot costumes of the late 1800s. They are bringing back the program this year and asked me if I was interested, lol. If I wasn’t committed to MusicFest, I would be all over that! I did a bunch of work for all my volunteer things today and got a good jump on two files. That was satisfying.
I am now baking Angel Food cake as I am craving. I won’t beat myself up about it, just enjoy it, tomorrow is another day to watch the calories more closely. …. Life is too fricken short to not eat your favourite cake, and it is the cake my mom used to make me for my birthday. AND it is my birthday month, so there.
I am just sad. I can’t shake it. I am productive in life and dejected in soul. It will pass. I have no dark thoughts to worry about. I am just tired, and sad.
I apparently am still carrying stress as I woke up super early again. It is a remembery day as it would have been my cousin Kelly’s 62nd birthday had she not been murdered. That is one that you really can’t shed entirely. Disease is one thing, absolute senseless is another.
I finished my bunny, took a bath, finished Season 1 of Loudermilk and headed to take my recycling before stopping at Encore for a bite and to watch the kids have fun. I ordered the adult juice box, added soda and cranberry, to make my own Mimosa.
Jake took me for a drive to Walmart in his Tesla and tested the self-driving (and parking!) mode.
I do love my gift from Kimberly, it makes me smile
I stopped at Mom’s and had a quick nap in her chair before bringing her to the Easter Family and Friends gathering at Bill & Deanne’s . The search was fun and we did our usual pictures after a delicious BBQ. I gave Rae and Ash their matching to mine necklaces and Jake a Lovebullies album as well as things for the others.
I dropped Mom back at home and started another puzzle as I watch Season 2 of Loudermilk.
I woke up far too early stewing over an email I received yesterday from a seasonal client. I decided to get up and respond, and once againI set a boundary and moved someone along. There is a great deal of freedom that comes in owning your own life and letting the negative go. I finished my puzzle finally and showered and dressed in time for our ABC Zoom. It was nice to hear from the couples who travelled to the Galapagos since our last chat. They each had very different experiences and mine will be a hybrid of the two.
I picked up Jake for a late lunch after we got the meat for tomorrows BBQ with the whole dang bunch of friends and family. We went to FireHall and I filled my burger of the month card. The burger was delicious and we had a nice catch up. He loved the gift I got him from his favorite artist. His birthday isn’t until July but I couldn’t wait and won’t be here when he comes up as I will be at VIMF. I do believe he was truly surprised.
Once I got home again, I did a few outside chores and then came in and watched the first season of The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin while I did Lego. It’s pretty funny in a Monty Python kind of way. After that I watched CODA which I thought I had already seen but still enjoyed it very much. Now I have finished another puzzle and am watching Loudermilk.
I can’t let go of a comment to me earlier tonight.
I showed a new friend a picture of my kids as she knew who my oldest was and when she saw Jake she said, ‘Oh’
A few questions were asked that lead me to tell his origin story and her first question was… “ was the rape violent?”
I found myself floundering for a response. In 30 years, that was a first. I managed to stammer out, “well, I wasn’t hospitalized” And then her next question was, “ wasn’t ending the pregnancy an option?” I truthfully responded “not for me” and then I honestly just wanted to get out of the conversation entirely.
I had not felt so judged since the time I told my closest male friend after it happened and he asked me what I was wearing.
I wish other people did not have such control over my emotions.
triumphgal 