I woke up at 4:20 my body telling me that I need a painkillers how ironic. As I was fully awake, I moved to the living room and sat in the big chair, hoping to read my book, but couldn’t figure out how to turn on light in the living room. I doom scrolled Facebook until Gene finally came downstairs and that’s when I found out that the coffee had been there on a timer and it was available in the kitchen.
We had a lovely time opening presents, and the guys took over putting together the breakfast I had prepped of burrito makings they scramble the eggs and warm things up, and everyone seems full and happy afterwards.
Gene hand carved
I enjoyed my breakfast beer thanks to Sam from KAST it was a delicious stout.
My moment was giving Gene his first Fluevogs. He, his Pere and this Nana were all teary.
The day was lovely in spite of my achy self. I took a nap, we watched Home Alone, puzzles were started. The Guedes Fam gave me a three day pass to Rockin the Kootenay which is awesome.
Fun with Emmy earlier
Danika, Malcolm and the girls came for a visit. It was the first time Thea responded to me and even blew kisses when they left. Emmy bought me Hot Pink Gummy Bear slippers. she intended to stay over night but ended up wanting to go home which was probably safer than sharing a bed with me.
Judy and Mom were picked up for dinner and we had a nice visit. The meal was amazing
I got super emotional towards the end of the day as I feel like Ash is burdened by me. I am working out the logistics of working from home. It would be best for all.
Roger tried out his whiskey smoker that I got him and it was awesome!
I woke up at 5:30, anxious, I suppose to know when my surgery would be. I did notice that there was the picture from Danika of Emmy and her sisters Gwen and Thea sitting there across from the bed. I hadn’t noticed it last night. I finally got up and since I was fasting, got Rae to run me a bath as their tub is perfect for me to rest my leg on the side. I called my Dr and then the surgical ward to ask if I could take painkillers or not and was given good advice to only take 1 Advil as they are a blood thinner. At 10 I heard from the hospital asking me to keep fasting and come see Dr Nye at noon. Gene dropped me off and I was happy to get help from kind strangers to get into a wheelchair and signed in. I wasn’t there long when lovely friend Rhonda showed up and we had a sweet visit. I know it is hard for her as it is her first Christmas since her husband Gordon died. Dr Nye explained what is to come to pull my leg back together and said it was possible I could be the last surgery of the day but maybe not so I opted to wait until Friday and enjoy Christmas. They redid my splint cast and sent me in my way with the news that I would not be able to weight bear for 2 months. I saw Judy Cave as I was leaving. She and my Mom have a long time mutual friend, Pat, who has suffered the loss of her husband Mike and then one month later her daughter, Dana. Poor Pat is now in hospital. I am only sorry that I am not capable of bringing my Mom to visit her. I did enjoy handing out treats to the staff and volunteers that I encountered. Their smiles were worth it. Ashlée picked me up and after she dropped me at her place she went to Pharmasave and rented me a knee scooter. Oh my goodness what a relief on my body
We puzzled and I talked Lukas through making a big batch of nuts and bolts. They turned out great. Unfortunately I stubbed my foot on the threshold and fell to my knees. It was painful but I am glad I did it before the surgery. Greg called to let me know he was going to be a Grandpa, that Maya is pregnant. I am so happy for her. She and I had talked when she was here about her desire to be a Mom. It is odd that Greg will have his first grandchild after my oldest one graduates!
We had a delicious ham dinner and then everyone but Rae, Deanne and I went to church. I did manage to roll outside for Santa coming by.
Lukas
Next was the annual Christmas Eve jammies and some of the boys watched Nightmare Before Christmas with me. I was surprised when they picked it!
I sit tonight enjoying Peach Crown on the rocks which I was gifted from a client.
I sit in a recliner chair with my foot up watching Red One with Lukas and the two exchange students, Elias and Nikio.
I sit tonight grateful that when I was at my lowest this morning, Gene came and brought me to the office. I managed in spite of the discomforts to get even more done than I anticipated
I sit tonight having been picked up from the office by Ashlée and Lukas who brought me to my home to gather my stuff so I could stay in her guest room.
I sit tonight with a full belly and glass as I know I must fast at midnight in anticipation of surgery tomorrow
I sit tonight, sad that I had to tell my Mom of a loss and couldn’t do it in person and give her a hug
I sit tonight so grateful for the incredible support network around me and around the globe
I sit tonight in the discomfort of waiting and the comfort of knowing that I am loved.
I got up and ready, picked up Jake and Emmy and then we went to pick up Mom and go to Mr Mikes Steakhouse for lunch. It was a most enjoyable lunch
We left to join the others at the mall for the Santa photo and as I stepped off the curb I slipped on the ice and rolled my right foot sideways before falling to the ground. I knew I had done something very wrong as have a high pain tolerance and it was almost pass out level. I couldn’t get up even though I was laying bin the were and cold and told Jake to go in the restaurant and tell them to call 911. I needed him to make sure that Mom and Emmy got in the car safely. It took a bit for someone to come out and he asked if we had called an ambulance. I barked No and asked him to. When I was finally too cold to lay there anymore he and Jake helped me up and onto a chair he brought out. Yep, a chair between two cars was his best thought. The shock kicked in and I started shivering so I asked to get help to move me inside. This time he set me in the vestibule between the doors. I messaged Tracey to go to my place and grab my wallet and bring to me. I also wanted company so that Mom, Jake and Emmy could go to the photos. I’m glad I did as it took just short of an hour for the ambulance to come and when they removed my boot they immediately gave me ‘the green whistle’ which apparently works quickly in a trauma situation
Once at the hospital I waited a while before getting Xrays and was told the Dr would come out to chairs to let me know what to do about it. I hadn’t been there very long when a nurse came and got me to take off my jeans (I was glad as they were soaked) and get ready for the Dr. It turns out this badly broken and I will need surgery but it won’t likely be possible before Tuesday. Dr Bernard put a plaster splint on it and off I went with crutches.
Break on the leftBone splinter up on the rightTibia is shifted sideways
Gene picked me up, stopped at Safeway where he ran in to get Tylenol and Advil then we stopped to get Ashlée to bring my car home and they both managed to get me in the house and clear things out of the way so I could manage for the night. I sent all my gifts back with them and am glad I wrapped last night.
After a while I Door dashed sushi to Tracey’s next door and she brought it over. While she was here she offered to clean the litter box and take out the garbage. She’s a very thoughtful friend.
I am going to go in to do payroll tomorrow and then go stay in Ashlée’s spare room for the duration of this stage.
I am only sad I missed the Santa pics but am glad Ashlée arranged to get my Mom, all my kids and grandkids in one. I had explained earlier to Emmy the importance of not making silly faces. I told her that Santa photos were Luke a chapter book, that each picture was a chapter in our family story. After seeing the outcome, I messaged her that this was the chapter when Nana had a boo-boo
I am tired from all that occurred today and am not sure how much sleep I will get, so off I go to try. Oh and my butt, ribs and both hands got a little beat up in the fall as well, so I am looking forward to a little CBD cream
First stop of this wonderful day was to get brows and pits waxed by Ireland. That does not sound glamorous at all, but I enjoy our visits.
Next up was the car wash and then day drinking lunch at Fenwick and Baker where I enjoyed great chats and good food
Third stop was to see Melissa for a luxurious pedicure and sparkling nails to match my fingers
After that I picked up Jake and Emmy to take in Moana 2 at the theatre. It was good but we all agreed not as good as the first one. did run into cousin Brian so that was awesome
We shopped a bit so Emmy could pick out some gifts for her sisters and two youngest cousins. She’s a good little shopper.
I dropped them off and came home to have to shovel all the snow that fell off the roof
The evening was spent wrapping all my gifts. I am officially ready for Christmas!
I was blessed from a client who sent me a digital gift card to Mr Mikes and decided to take Mom, Jake and Emmy for lunch tomorrow before our Santa photo.
My advent was tasty and I look forward to trying what Rae gave me
Today was a tough workday, but I finally got out of the office and headed to have dinner and celebrate Lukas. I can’t belief that I didn’t take a picture with him but it was all hugs and love. I gave him a $50 Safeway gift card so he could get lunches and he seemed pleased. I scarfed down spaghetti and ran off to tend bar for the Pretty for the People Christmas show at Key City. I am very tired so I came home as soon as I was done. I started the second half of my Whisky advent. It was quite delicious, and I love the earrings from Rae!
Jake gave me a stunning corkscrew for Christmas
Sam, a guy who works at the GroundFloor, gave me a bottle of his home brew stout complete with instructions to keep at room temperature until the 24th, refrigerate overnight and enjoy on Christmas Day.
I didn’t even feel like trying my whiskey adventure the last couple nights, but I did love my socks from Rae
Rotary was good with talks from Chance and Sven about JCI
I popped over to the Wyatt new home for a tour and visit and was happy that Deb loved the Cranbrook and Kootenay decorations that I got them. I had a great conversation with Tate about his field of study for his physics doctorate.
It was funny to get home to only one piece of mail received since the strike began, a card from the Wyatts
I did stop for a haircut from Karissa and decided to go quite short. I do enjoy my visits with her
I am very tired and worn out with much still to accomplish. I am glad it is only the 19th, but I wish some clients would consider that I need time off as well over the season
My two daughters are so very different. It is hard for me to imagine sometimes that they have the same mother and father and were raised in the same environment.
I get along with each of them so differently. Don’t get me wrong, I love them both. It’s just that one feels more like my best friend on the regular and the other when we work together.
The difference does make it hard for me to stay out of the middle sometimes. There are stresses of both of their lives and I have chosen to just listen and only offer advice when asked because that is safe. If I felt either needed to hear something from me, I would speak up. Daughters are so complicated lol
I left work at a decent time and picked up mom‘s pills and the ingredients to make nuts and bolts and that’s what I’ve been doing all evening because it takes 1.25 hours per batch. And they are yummy
I forgot to add something that I want to remember because it’s important for my self-esteem. When things are down, I need to remind myself that someone told me tonight that I am living my best life authentically.  to have an acquaintance recognize that and vocalize it, is gold.
Today was intense as I did final payrolls that were reconciled for the year and a lot of free work updating the website with events and sending out a newsletter for Fisher Peak performing artists.
My car headed immediately towards Fenwick and Baker to hang out at my local and have a beverage and some food and head home. Much to my surprise, Dave and his wife Kimberley were there!
I enjoyed the evening, chatting and befriending and enjoying myself so much that time had flown by and I had had too many double crowns so I texted Jake and Roger who kindly came down and drove me in my car home.
The best part of the day was hearing from Mark that his cancer is not spread. This is a Christmas blessing. 
I had a mostly lazy day listening to the snow thud off my metal roof. The afternoon was spent volunteering at Key City for the My Baker High school production of Shakespeare in Love. They did a great job.
I came home and changed, wrapped Jake’s Christmas presents and picked him up to go for dinner. Fenwick and Baker was closed for a private event so we headed over to the Heidout and had a great visit and good food. He loved his gifts and I realizedI forgot one so we will connect again. I love catching up with him, we have so many ‘remember when’s’
I loved that he was impressed by my blog stats and I was happy to share my YouTube ones to my YouTuber son
I picked up Jake and while waiting in arrivals I found my friend, Deb there waiting for her twin boys arriving from Memphis. It was so awesome to meet and introduce our sons. Hard to believe these two little girls who met in pre-k grew up to produce these amazing men.
I slept in after a late night and took some time to build a third of the bookshelf that I bought some time ago for my Lego collection. I admit to watching a great deal of Virgin River, my Netflix soap.
Off to the arena where once again I sold the winning 50/50 ticket and I won a $25 GC to Mr Mikes from the number on my $2 program which is the first I’ve bought this season. The winner was a young guy who was so happy it makes my heart happy.
Who’s peeking?
I was able to see the cold moon and Jupiter tonight, no meteor showers
Up early to be at my 9 am nail appointment. Love them as usual
Got a good amount done before heading to the arena to work 50/50. I sold the winning ticket and the Bucks won. Looking forward to doing the same tomorrow night.
I have been watching TV and trying not to get too tired as I am picking up Jake at the airport at 12:30 am. have to watch for animals and ice. Haven’t tried my whiskey advent but love the one friend m Rae
Got news that my little buddy, Atlas, was badly burned today. His Mom, Nesta, flew with him to Vancouver. Super scary.
Rotary lunch was our AGM where I learned that I am not on the Board. I am invited to attend 12 meetings and see what they do. I am not sure having input with no position nor vote is a way that I want to spend my time. I will have to think about it.
This evening I was at the JCI President Dinner at the Prestige Inn where I enjoyed finally meeting Chance’s sister, Christine, watching all the awards get presented, and seeing the President role passed from Chance to my other friend, Sven. All of this over a nice dinner and drinks. It was a great way to spend the evening, especially as FPPAS, EdFest and Rotary have all partnered with them in my experience.
The advent whisky bit my tongue. Not my fave so far
OK, yes so I enjoyed my whiskey this evening. It was really delicious and then I followed up with some really delicious Tayton Bay rum, so now I’m probably in no condition whatsoever to be blogging and it’s only 832 here and I’m ready to go to bed lol. All of this to say that I really enjoyed going to the chamber lunch at Encore and our team won the tree decorating contest and then I came back and just worked and worked and worked until I couldn’t focus anymore before coming home and watching The Voice finale and just kicking back it’s been a nice day. 
Oh, I also received the digital photo frame that my three kids and I bought for my mom and use the app to upload photos and all of them have access to that too, which is super cool and she will love it 
That’s quite a few good days in a row. I don’t want to call a shutout, but it’s a nice change. The nights are still a bit complicated with processing spreadsheets in my sleep.
My evening was blessed by my client, Laurie taking me out for a delicious dinner at the Heid-Out where we both enjoyed the Bison Ribs. It was such a great visit, some conversation on business and other on personal and travel.
Got home and had a good Lo g chat with Mark. We are able to make each other laugh. A platonic best friend is a gift.
My advent from Rae is adorable and the whiskey today was very good
I had a nice day of work and then headed to Mt Zion church for a concert by friends to raise money for the caregivers network that supports people supporting seniors. I enjoyed watching and supporting my musician friends
After, I rushed to Shoppers to grab some dinner and lunch makings. I am not getting Hello Fresh this month and haven’t been organized enough to get groceries.
Emmy and I had a perfectly lovely morning enjoying scrambled eggs as we watched some animated shows involving Minions and then Barbie. I French braided her hair and impressed her Mom when she came to get her. I gave Danika my set of Royal Dalton Bunnykins china and the needlepoint clock that my Nana made in the 70s. I appreciate that she likes and values vintage items.
Got ready and picked up Monica to go to Verna’s for a crafty afternoon. I made bath salts, lip balm and gentleman’s scented oils. It was so enjoyable and I am always grateful how welcomed I am there.
The snow has been falling off the roof due to the melt today so i shovelled when i got home to clear the walk. Today’s advent was tasty!
I had a great evening of Outsmarted with Mark and I won two out of three which I shall shout from the rooftops, lol
I gave Rae my Fluevogs and am happy that she loves them
I picked up Monica and we loaded all our bottles and headed to Kootenay WINECRAFTERS where we bottled three batches and had a great visit with each other and Elva, the owner.
After we went to Monica’s and played Patchwork. she won two out of three games.
I came home to make soup and get ready to play Outsmarted but Mark was t up to it and Danika messaged to see if Emmy could stay o er.
I enjoyed my advent and enjoyed my soul. Emmy arrived and I made popcorn and we watched The Gruffalo before heading off to bed
triumphgal 