triumphgal

January 13, 2023

So today was a mishmash of free and paid work that ate my brain but got a lot more off the list. I had an extremely positive response to my vimf email and started pulling things together to design the media for the Cox & McRae show. In between there was payroll, remittances, EHT, PST and other filings to take care of. I was glad when my google nest alarm went off letting me know it was time to leave for the hockey game.

I picked up Tracey and off we went. The Wenatchee Wild were up from the states and I must say that the woman singing both anthems nailed it!!! She made me want to sing along to the Star Spangled Banner! The game was super tight and mostly boring but finally it was the third period and we were up by one. The Arby’s minute happened which means that if the Bucks score in that minute all attendees are entitled to free curly fries. The problem is that the supplier ran out of curly fries so that would be complicated. ‘Fortunately’, they didn’t score, much to Rae-Anne’s relief. We earned a shut-out when in the last 1.8 seconds we scored, short handed with the goalie pulled. An exciting end at least.

I wrote a message to the Arby’s crew in our app encouraging them to be their best in order to make the sale go smoothly and perhaps keep their jobs. The bottom line is that any customer could be a future boss. It is hard in times of transition and I hope everyone comes out of it well. The listing for the business was posted and that makes it looming, for sure.

I contacted my friend Gordon and made a plan to visit him tomorrow afternoon before I volunteer for Cabaret at Key City. With no alarm set tomorrow, I look forward to all three wonderful things. I may even take down my Christmas inflatable family…

January 12, 2023

Worked for the morning, then had a meeting with our FPPAS president and Kevin, an advisor for Columbia Basin trust. We are looking at getting assistance for developing a strategic plan. I think it was 3 hours well spent. Afterward, I went back to my office and worked until the volunteer coordinator meeting which I was grateful they had set up a Zoom option for. It is the first time I have made it to a meeting in all the years I have been working the Festival. I look forward to next month’s as seeing and hearing everyone was a treat. The only problem, as usual is the time change so it was rather late for me by the time I left the office. Of course I couldn’t leave the office until I had done my first invite to crew to join us this year. 90 email invites and I had a positive response before I’d even made it to the parking lot. I have a very positive feeling about it again this year. So much to be grateful for these days!!

January 11, 2023

I had a frustrating work experience today but skipped out to M&M Food Market at lunch to pick up cream puffs to bring as my contribution to the Key City Volunteer party tonight. I was able to get all remittances and immediately needed reports done before leaving to pick up Gene from school choir practice and bring him to his shift at Arby’s. I made it back in plenty of time and had a few lovely conversations and hugs from people I haven’t seen in ages. The dinner was delicious, the entertainment was Dave and Drew Prinn and we received a useful gift as well as something from Sweet Gestures.

I was able to nail down a few more details for my April Show and had extremely positive feedback from both sets of musicians involved. I just have to be sure I have the cash set aside to pay them the night of and wait for the media to be ready to launch. Exciting times!

January 10, 2023

I had a very good sleep and got some chores done before heading to the office to get payroll wrapped up before heading to Key City Theatre to meet and discuss the venue rental for a live music night I am producing in April. Since January third, I have seriously started working on pulling all the pieces together, and today it is officially a thing. The announcement is planned for January 30th with tickets to go on sale February 1st. I want to spell out all the details but need to keep it under wraps for now. Suffice to say I have had an extremely blessed day, finding favour with many and I am super excited to bring this experience to Cranbrook. So, yeah, save the date.. April 16th. I have brought back a tag line I used to use years ago on small movies and books I would create.. a jake’s mom production.

The fun part was messaging my friend, Matt Johnson, the drummer for 54-40. Back in the day on Salt Spring Island, I would host live music nights at a dockside restaurant/bar for him and it went so well that he told me I should have been a producer. I would laugh and say I would have loved doing that but I was 20 years too late to get started. Fast forward nearly 20 years and here I am doing what I really do love, finding the perfect experience for the performer and the audience. I hope this will be the success it has the potential for. All this is another thing, besides working in fast food, that I waited until 59 to do. And it will happen 3 days before my 60th, a great way to celebrate!

Now that all the bits are in place, I need to draw up the contracts and get the media designed for release and then I can sit back and focus on work. Today I stayed later to make up the lost time and managed to get almost all my payroll client’s remittances done and over half of the T4s. This list getting finished will take the strain off and let me not feel so stressed. I look forward to taking time to see Cabaret this weekend with a lady, Maureen, who also works out of the Groundfloor and then next weekend, Jake will be here for a visit! Yay! It will be Christmas 2.0

January 9, 2023

Up and at it early, so much to do. I was at the office for over 12 hours by the time the day was done. I was laser focused on the payroll set up and rounds I had to do and then it was straight into the meeting. Much was discussed, plans were made and there was a small step forward. I wanted to be less grumpy, tired and hungry but I also think I was engaged and helpful. I stopped and cashed in my $50 scratch and win and then came home to have some quick and easy food before it is time to catch some rest again. I also made great headway on the production I am working and I can’t wait to confirm it, tomorrow with any luck.

My friend Natalia had invited me to the Ukrainian Christmas last night but I was working so she sent me some beautiful pictures. I am so glad they made the best of their first Christmas in Canada.

Sawyer’s birthday present arrived today and I think he will like it. I researched the best brand and size for an 8 year old.. and it has a dragon! Dragons!! Oh my!

January 8, 2023

I woke at a reasonable time and puzzled while I watched ‘the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’ on Apple TV+. It was as lovely as the book my friends sent me, by Charlie Mackesy. I should like to watch or read it regularly to remind myself… well of all the good, of being enough. And I discovered it is a Bad Robot production which also pleases me.

I haded over to pick up Diane R as she had planned to make me food and have a visit. We started at the Mall so I could trade my gift book in as it was a duplicate. I got one I really wanted but wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.We had a good laugh at the calendar I would have bought if I’d seen it before I got my banksy one. Nah, I love mine.

Next stop was the dollar store where I saw gloves just made for me

We went back to Diane’s where we enjoyed a gluten and dairy free lasagna that she’d made and it was good, although I am not a fan of the texture of the rice noodles. Best of all was having a good visit, getting to see all the renovations she’s done to her home and playing a game she made that basically involves an abacus and 6 dice. She fondly calls it the old man game as it was some old family friend who introduced them to it. She also spoiled me for Christmas!

I had a shift at Arby’s but was home at a decent time and am continuing to watch succession. I just discovered it isn’t the one Rae-Anne suggested as that is Severance. I will have to watch it next. I do like Kieran Culkin in the series I am watching. As I was watching, I did a scratch and win game and won $50!

January 8, 2023

I was up in the night, violently ill. I now believe I didn’t double dose last time I tried my sleep capsules, I am allergic. Or at least there is some kind of triggered response that makes my system want to purge it as best it can. This has happened twice in my late 30s, early 40s and twice last year. Last night was just terrible and I wonder what the strain is that is causing the problem or if I need to avoid it all now. I have managed to not have a cigarette already since Wednesday at 4:45pm and then felt drag butt all day so not the best night to consider going out. I was committed to it though so I made more crab tarts to take. The whole day was in and out of naps, cleaning up my own vomit from the bed, bedroom floor, and in the tub. I looked after myself and Steph came to pick me up for the Poker League. Tonight was at Mark’s and there were 14 of us and there were some good games, good snacks and a nice visit with all. Got home just before Midnight and made my bed with the freshly clean linen. Missy has been amusing, as if she’s just found her tail.

January 6, 2023

Today I was at the office earlier than usual and worked my tushka off all day getting files set up for payroll next week. My friend Peter stopped by for a good long visit after his 100 day tour of Europe and the Middle East. We had lots to catch up on as I wait a file while he was away. He assured me that I was dissed, that I am appreciated and that I should not step in to help at this time. I appreciate his big picture view of it all. It was the final step in the, ‘you have to wait until Dad gets home’, part of the equation. I didn’t finish all I wanted to but enough that I don’t feel like I HAVE to go in this weekend. I was on a mission to leave at 4:30 so I could get home and make Dungeness crab tarts for the seafood dinner at the Guedes house tonight. We had stalled it for a week and it was fun to hang with 3 Perreault’s, 4 Crozier’s, 6 Guedes’s, 2 students, and me! There was sooooo much food and sooooo many varieties of seafood treats. I came home at a decent time after stopping at the liquor store to pick up Crown, Bowmore and Gingerbread Captain’s. Good to stock up again. It is nice to relax on the couch, having enjoyed good company and food

January 5, 2023

Today’s line-up:

At the office by 9

Start producing a show (details to come)

Assist a client and then spend nearly 9 hours on one file.

Complete books and reports for FPPAS board meeting on Monday

Investigate seeing Bono in New York, wouldn’t be lovely to meet friends from away there… NOPE!

Filed complaints with company and my bank. All because apparently in the fine print of a free trial was a box that had to be unchecked. SCAM!! Am changing cc number just in case. I still am not sure how it got by me as I am ferocious about security and really am still laughing that I may be interested in a US Military man.

Filled the tank with a 4 cent off coupon.

Used the gas coupons at Safeway where I got groceries for the first time in a very long time. Good to have fruit and veg (and chips) in the house again.

Home by 9 to unload, make a nice chicken cordon bleu for dinner and enjoy my one and only rum and eggnog of the season. Sipping it with joy.

January 4, 2023

It is nice to have a light at the end of the tunnel, those things that help you get through a day or week. I received a text for help at a client before I had even had a coffee, so I filled my To Go cup and off I went. It was after 11 before I was back at the office to continue working in a better environment with two screens. Lunch at the desk and several files later I was happy to head to meet a client for dinner at Fire & Oak. It was rib night and worth every penny. So was the good company. It was nice to get to know Laurie better after doing her books for over a year and a half. She is an amazing human, a great business woman and just nice to be around. Her company, Earth’s Own Naturals has two locations, in Kimberley and Fernie and she keeps the area out of pain and relaxed. I had been looking forward to tonight even though I am so very tired. 3 hours went by easily. I came home craving isolation though and just worked on my puzzle for a bit before it was time to do this and head to bed. The next two days aim to be as crazy.

I did love my new socks with my oh so comfy Fluevogs

January 3, 2023

The beginning of my work day was not my favourite as everyone who has been off enjoying their holidays decided today was the day to request things from me. I am glad that I did as much as I did working through the season. I let it get to me first thing though and was glad when I had to leave the office to go for lunch at Mr.Mike’s with Mom, Rosie, Jeanne and Donna for Donna’s birthday. Three sisters and their cousin, Barb are eerily similar. Mom doesn’t have the boisterous laugh but I do so it makes up for it. I guess it skipped a step-generation. I left them in a much better mood and headed back to the office to get a silly amount of work done in a hurry before heading for my 5-7 shift at Arby’s. There are new products, specials and many coupons out this month so a lot to learn but was all good, until I ran into the corner of the open dishwasher on the outside of my left knee. I knew right away it was bad from the pain but kept going an waited until I got home to see it even scraped through my denim pants and is a little swollen. I’ll be fine but it was a good reminder that when I am feeling life is a little extra, I lose my personal space awareness and need to be extra careful.

Tomorrow brings it’s own triage list but I am up for it and looking forward to dinner out at Fire & Oak on a client’s invite.

January 2, 2023

I weighed in this morning slightly disappointed as it shows I have lost 39 pounds and I wanted it to land on 40. That is absolutely ridiculous as overall in the last 365 days I have lost .1049 pounds per day, .769 per week or 3.33 per month. No small feat. In between there was a surgery that set me back and I will never be over 200 again. I had lost 41 but gained 2 over Christmas. In the same period last year I gained over 5 so I will count that as a win. I look at these numbers and still feel deflated, but I will buckle down as I have a goal to lose 24 more by my 60th birthday in April. That was my goal for 2022, but I gave myself grace and will work on gratitude. I had to go buy some new clothes as I don’t like the feel of things hanging off me, am grateful that my pants fit at my waist again (what an odd feeling) and have confidence and better health. I must stand on that joy

so many things are odd this year, I am trying not to dwell on it too much but… for the first time I can remember, I didn’t put up a tree or decorate inside for Christmas, I sent random cards only while I usually send 50-60 of them, I didn’t do Christmas or New Year texts or messages to all the people I love like I usually do… I am not sure what that is about. I wonder how much of it is the process of letting go. I have ‘peripheral’ people in my life that I miss desperately and can’t wait to hug again and then there are others that I wonder if I am just going through the motions. Maybe I am just as self centered as some think I am and am better alone. I am considering beginning to take trips alone, no expectations, no drama. I don’t think this is depression settling in, I am generally feeling good, but there is a shift happening for sure. The slow internet at the office today was frustrating as I had to write down my time to allow for it, it isn’t the client’s fault. This grinds on me and again makes me consider moving my office home again. So many thoughts, all I know is I will keep sharing here so I keep an eye on my mental health. Focus on the positive, not wallow in the sad little first world issues I have.

I wonder if working to long and hard today didn’t help.

January 1, 2023

I didn’t set an alarm but woke before 9 even though I went to sleep late. I puttered around the house, did laundry, dishes and sorted things to be put away. I then uncovered my puzzle finally and saw how much of it was messed up since last I worked on it. I made a big pot of rice, left it to cook in the fridge and rummaged in the freezer for fried rice ingredients. I puzzled and watched the first season of Wednesday which I did enjoy. It was overall just a relaxing day with no answering of email. I posted my extra tickets to Rock in the Kootenays in August and sold them pretty quick to a friend. There is a certain amount of trust necessary as I will want them to be paid for but have to show up on the day of to get the tickets. At least I will be able to put 634.50 back on my credit card! I like the person who bought them and look forward to hanging out with her. I am sitting on the couch at the moment on episode 2 of Harry & Meghan on Netflix but shall head off to bed soon as tomorrow will be busy with the first payrolls to run for the year and in new software for some. Happy New Year to all of you out there!!

January 1, 2023

I was up doing chores and heading to the office at a decent time. I worked on files until it was time to go to the Hockey Game. First I set up my new Scentsy from the Guedes clan, I do love The Child

It is a melty blue sky day, the best of winter.

I picked up Tracey and off we went to have a great experience at the last game of the year. I was obsessed by reading that 4 of the Gus on our team go to Yale. I wonder how that works?

I came home after the game and made some marinated shrimp in preperation of the seafood night. I had however missed the memo, that we weren’t doing that tonight. I was glad I reached out and headed over. We had a nice visit and I said good-bye to the Knight family as they are leaving in the morning. We all had champagne and I caught a few pics. They are a wonderful bunch.

On the way home I tried to capture the beauty that is the big decorative star on the hill that I see coming home every day. It seems that the beauty is illusion, but trust me, it is there.

I am not sure what the year of 2023 will bring, nor what my hopes even are. I want to include travel, even if not out of the country. It is time to live smaller, travel bigger…

OMG, I just saw a commercial for the next season of Ted Lasso, please let it be soon!!

December 31, 2022

At the office early after my very good sleep that was busted by the alarm. Ran two payroll and then headed to Arby’s for a shift. Once I was done I was supposed to go to a client but he was not ready for me so I went back to the office to pick up a pay that one client had missed and then went there. I was there until 6 and then back to the office to keep working on it for another hour before heading to pick up Steph and go to our poker night at Landon’s. I was happy to be one of 30 invited and was really looking forward to it. I did well until the downstairs tables were amalgamated to our upstairs ones, leaving 14 of us. One of the people, whom I know well and doesn’t really know how to play just kept going all in without even looking at her cards because she wanted to leave. It threw off the whole game and when I had an Ace Queen suited, I finally went all in to call her and was beat by a straight. I was sad to be out but more so as it was due to the frustration of her game play. I should have just kept folding but the potential of doubling up was there. I did meet one of the other players, Shawna, and we sat on the couch and had a great get to know you. I hope to meet again.

My phone continues to bring me joy with the images it share. My eldest is my heart. She is brave and strong and caring. Her smile lights up a room and my heart

There were funny bird prints by my car today. Not sure what it was but it amused me with it’s wandering path around the parking lot

The sad part of the day was learning that I was fucking right again. I have a friend that the last three times I have seen him I have been struck by the knowledge that he is not well, that he is wasting away. I ask him how he is doing, gently comment on his weight loss and am told that he is just watching his diet. The problem is… I know sometimes when someone is going to die. It turns out he was just diagnosed with late stage, terminal pancreatic cancer. He has a young teen son and a lovely wife. My heart breaks for them. I hate being right in these cases.

December 29, 2022

It started with a manicure which I love and a good visit with Minh as he did it.

I walked across the mall to Northern Reflections as I noticed they had a 50 percent off sale and I was still seeking a new outerwear vest. I usually find it to be too old lady for me but there was one vest in my new size so I decided to get it. Just as I was heading to the till I see my cousin Donna approaching and we decided to try on clothes. I ended up getting three good quality shirts, a night shirt, my vest and two lotions for a 218 dollar saving, costing only 171! I talked her into getting a less large pair of shirts as we all default to how we think we are. The smaller sizes looked really flattering on her. After that we went and grabbed some lunch together which was very enjoyable.

Back to the office I went and didn’t leave again until well after 9 but I got a lot done ready for January 1st. Stacey stopped in and we had a great visit. She said the roads are very bad out her way and I am grateful she was in the big truck with a heavy load of tires so she would have better traction.

I was wonderfully surprised to find a gift from the UK on my doorstep when I returned home and am chuffed with the innards. A new mug, who doesn’t love a good pun?! Two gorgeous decorations, they know me so well. These will likely be hung all year, just need to find their perfect home. The magnet is from their trip to Svalbard, which has a fascinating history to it. Look it up, seriously!

I made stuffed mushrooms when I got home and enjoyed the even more as they were made from part of yesterday’s gift. It was a productive and relaxing day, all in all, a good one.

December 28, 2022

I had a toss and turn night exacerbated by the heat of an all too clingy cat. Missy curls up and snuggles and demands attention and pets since I got home from Christmas. I give in to her demands but also wish I could lock her out of my room for the night sometimes. She was supposed to be my standoffish cat!!

It had been super windy in the night apparently and the gang all look like they laughed themselves silly. Mr may even have peed a little given the colour of the cat

First stop of the day was the office to get payroll done, another one set up in QBO for a client and answer email before heading to a client for the afternoon. It seems the drain with a hose was a good idea as that is what I found when I got there.

Fortunately my last Christmas gift arrived and another worker brought it to me. It was the gloves I ordered for my neighbour and for Gene. Although they appear to be very good quality and both of them are happy with them, I sent a complaint to Wagjag that they are not as described. It clearly says, even in the fine print that they are rechargeable but they are in fact battery operated. 3 AA in each glove!

Before I left this morning, I asked Tracey if she would like to join me at Avatar: The Way of Water for the 4:45 show. I bought the tickets and snacks online. Right after that a shift came up at Arby’s but once again, this week, I was ok to say no, sorry, can’t do it. I am covering a shift on Friday though. Glad to, actually.

I went off to the client’s and got things ready to continue at the office tomorrow, then it was off to the Mall for a quick shop for a calendar, bras and underwear. I also like to scope out Christmas shirts for next year while they are on sale. Found a cute one, and one for a gift to put away. I got a new Banksy calendar to replace the one I have enjoyed this year. Tracey met me for the movie and I have to admit, I really enjoyed it. It was the 3D one and I felt so peaceful when I came out even though there were moments when I could hear my heart beating. I sure do love my Loops. There were predictable moments but I just loved being in the water world. The words they say to calm their breathing are the way experience SCUBA diving. My peaceful calm happy place is under water and I hope to experience it again soon.

Once home I poured a bath complete with a THC bath bomb and continued watching She-Hulk. Cheesy as hell but lighthearted and fun. I was sorry when The Crown season 5 was done last night. I am not sure at all how I feel about it, how much is accurate. I need to talk to my besties in the know, although I suspect they don’t watch it. Planned to watch Harry & Meghan, but just felt like tuning out for a bit.

I completely forgot one of the best moments of the day was when a friend called my who is the area managers for one of the bid food supply companies in the area. sadly his supply truck had rolled off the road today and he had food to part with as it was all written off by insurance and thought of me with all my family. He dropped off a case of fresh mushrooms, half a case of fresh tomatoes, three bottles of Heinz ketchup, a container of Hollandaise, big bag of shredded cheese and many bags of cereal. I dropped it at the Guedes house, coming home with smaller portions of cheese, tomatoes, and mushrooms which will soon be stuffed mushrooms!

December 27, 2022

I headed into the office, got most things done on the list that I could while just down the hall, the roof was pouring down melt. I am fortunate not to be in the wake. After work I was I voted back to the Guedes house where Roger’s sister and family had arrived. After a delicious Turkey Caesar salad dinner, Jonas came back to my place to clear all that had slid off my metal roof. I teased him about being Canadian as he was in short pants and sleeves. I am very grateful to have it all cleared away. Back at the house it was lovely to sit and puzzle with Deanne before playing Jack Box with the gang. It was so relaxing and fun and just a really great day over all. I had been asked if I could come help at Key City, painting the floor for Cabaret opening on New Years but the family fun was more important. I look forward to watching the 5th Harry Potter movie with Will and Autumn, continuing where we left off last Christmas. Ugh, I just heard another drop off the roof, best go deal with it.

December 26, 2022

I was up relatively early deciding to unload and reload the dishwasher, wash the remains and get some breakfast pinwheels and bacon made before Rae-Anne needed to go to work. Sayer and Emmy were up and struggling to find common ground for play but they did. Had a bit of a visit and then realized I was suffering from serious sensory overload so took Emmy and headed back to my place. I cleared the snow off most things in my yard including my car which I had found frozen this morning. It is now snow free and good to go. It has been melting most of the day and freezing at the same time, if that makes sense. This has created havoc on the roads, closing those west of here. Thankfully Roger’s sister and family made it through from Olympia Washington and I hear, are happy at the Guedes house where I dropped off an air mattress after bringing Emmy to her Mom staying at her Grandma’s house. Emmy and I had a great afternoon playing Wii Games, she always knocks me out at Boxing and is pretty great at Bowling as well. She enjoyed the bit of breakfast I brought her home for lunch, loving the face on her plate, very Wilson!

I have been doing laundry, settling back home and sorting my Christmas goodies. The fresh bed is going to feel divine when I tuck in. I have been watching season 5 of The Crown although it may not hold a candle to watching the original Charlie Brown’s Christmas with Emmy. She was quite impressed that I was 2 when it came out. After that we started watching the Snoopy Show on Apple TV which is really lovely. She saw pictures I have and asked who they were. Once they were established to be me and my brother when very young, she said he was very cute, asked it I had a sister and then asked very many astute questions about my deceased Sister, Rae-Anne. She was saddened that I never met her enough to to remember her. I think it means more now that she has a baby sister.

I keep revisiting the favourite time of Christmas for me, playing the game with Bill, Rae-Anne and Ashlée last night. Man did we laugh with abandon. It was good for the soul. I only wish poor Deanne had been puzzling on the dining room table where we were playing rather than in the kitchen. I was really struggling with the heat in the place, especially that near the fireplace so we were playing in the cooler room. I didn’t like leaving her out there as I know how it feels to be left out even unintentionally. But I will admit, after a bit, there was so much laughter (and drinking) I was selfishly just soaking up the moment.

I dislike that I made anyone uncomfortable with my emotional responses the last two days. I was happy to be there and glad to get home. I hope we take some family picks when next Jake is up as that was the most disappointing part of him not being here..