Yep I woke up feeling rough, but improved with hydration. Tracey took me to get my car and I stopped at Safeway to get makings for dairy and non-dairy cheesy cauliflower.
I cooked and prepped and then settled down to finish my puzzle. Once done I started working on my Star Wars Lego. It was a very enjoyable set which I finished later.
The instructions are thick
I went for dinner but the turkey was running late so I had some ham and cauliflower which was delicious and a sliver of pumpkin pie. It was nice to see everyone even for a short visit.
Tonight I worked as usher for the James and Jamesy Easy as Pie show. It was quite a brilliant clown show about PTSD. I know that sounds odd but it was a good balance of funny and interaction and pathos. I enjoyed them last time they were here in March 2020 and did again.
Now I am starting a new puzzle of Jake’s bosses face.
How is it possible that lockdown was four years ago already? I have been blogging since the day I went home from the office to ride out the pandemic. It is almost unimaginable that it has been that long already, especially since the first period of time seemed to stretch into oblivion. I have learned a lot about myself.
I joined Rotary and learn so much each week, this week about the stage 4 drought we are already in with the reduced snow pack. I found the joy of cooking again and being healthy. I let some things, groups and friends go. I struggled to set boundaries, but found great relief when enough time passed to allow me to let the guilt go. I lost too many people; friends and family. I felt the pain because they loved me and I loved them.
More importantly, tonight I thank you for hanging in. I thank you for reading along, for judging silently, for supporting loudly and for being you. Whatever reason there is that you read this silly blurt of my life, it makes me happy to know you are here and I hope you find something in it. Maybe some joy, maybe some encouragement, maybe some empathy… in any case, you make my life fuller by knowing you are there.. and here is to many more years together.
I shall press on (and I am sorry for the poor grammar and punctuation. I don’t want to edit too much or I lose the flow)
I woke up out of a vivid dream at 5:39am. I was unnerved by spending time with my three lost friends and stressed that I would lose the 4th, telling him to not die. I posted on FaceBook and several friends from various places in the world said they had similar ominous feelings. I wonder what happened in the world that we all felt the pain of it.
My Easter treats arrived today. I came home and put them in the eggs that came with them and labeled them for the hunt. I think people will like them. There are 14 adults and 12 kids so we are drawing names between adults and just getting things for each of the kids. I spent a bit for fun toys and am glad for the name I drew.
I am watching The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping on Netflix. It is a well done yet horrifying Documentary. Those poor children.
It was a productive work day, I took the moments to be calm and think of my friend and the memories. It felt good. The phrase, They’re All Dead, Dave kept running through my head as it was the sticker Gordon gave me on my last visit with him. I may rewatch Red Dwarf this weekend… in honour.
I was grateful for a Rotary meeting to discuss the August Chili Cookoff which is co-presented with Fisher Peak. I was happy to bring good points to the table and Lallah was an amazing host who made us a pulled pork dinner.
I came home and watched shows while I puzzled. It is satisfying to be doing a Star Wars galaxy puzzle while I learn to let go.
Today had work. Today had a good burger and a delicious drink. Today had joy.
Today had loss. At 420 this afternoon our dear Gordon moved on. He is out of pain after an 18 month battle with Cancer. His wife and son will have to find their new norm.
Today is sad and happy at the same time. I began a puzzle to try to distract myself, to sit in the feels at an appropriate depth
Emmy was so cute when I went to tuck in last night. I had to mover her so i could get into bed. I left the tiny flamingo lights on in the bathroom and she thanked me in the morning as apparently she got up ‘like 5 times’ last night. We had a cuddle in for a bit and then got up to get on with the day.
We got dressed and headed across to the swings. Good giggles were had and then we played pretend basketball with pinecones. She is smart and creative and fun and it was the first real day that felt like spring. We laughed at how small the slide seems now when I used to fear her going on it as a wee thing. We popped back home to have a little breakfast before her Mom picked her up. I look forward to seeing her again at Easter when Jake will pick her up and bring her down.
She made a video promise that she will still want to spend time with me a decade from now, lol.
After she left I did a few more chores and then built my small lego before crocheting and watching the last three episodes of Masters of the Air. It was really incredible and even more so as it is based on real guys. I watched The Bloody 100th, a documentary about the guys after and it was worthy of a few tears. The Street Fighter Ken was off brand and wee little blocks. It was more challenging and I actually had a nail peel back while I was doing it. I will have to go get that fixed soon.
I made cottage pie which is delicious and then settled down to watch Zone of Interest, the last of the Oscar nominated movies to watch. It was horrifying.
It was so hot today that I actually had to turn on the AC as I was melty.
Today was the day to do my Family Tree that I bought at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney. I honestly thought it would take longer, but I did enjoy it. It wasn’t that hard as I was able to do it while watching the movie with subtitles.
My puzzle sorters were handy once again. I loved that there is a wee heart deep in the core of the trunk right where the branches spread out. Such a cool touch. I do love it, will just have to get some wee pics made.
Danika had reached out to see if Emmy could come for the night so they could have a date night in town. I was happy to switch gears and said yes. I spent the day doing some long put off chores. I hadn’t put away my luggage yet from my trip, all laundry done was still waiting to be put away and there were more dirty clothes to deal with. I have slobbed out for the last little while and needed to get a start on the mess. I took all my shirts off the shelves as I had no room in the messy piles to put anything away. They are all sorted by music, sports, plain and pithy, as well as by sleeve (or no sleeve) length. I added a few to the thrift box but I dare say, now that I have shrunk back down into my older ones, I have no more room, lol. The top shelf is seasonal.
When Emmy arrived, I was readying to cut a piece of flooring to fill the spot where the previous owner had gone around a shelving unit that I removed. I put a filler piece so that my new to me shelf could be put in place. I intend to use it for my new hobby, Lego. Emmy helped by dumping an old plants dirt into a hole that needed to be filled in the yard. It was warm enough that I had to open the house doors for the evening rather than turn on the AC.
We had such a great evening. I have her a choice between the Talapia and potatoes or Cottage Pie. She chose the fish, and we both agreed that we didn’t want the zucchini. She helped make it and was game to try the tartar sauce. To my joy, she devoured dinner with continuous exclamations of how good it was. She ate an entire huge plate, leaving only a few potatoes which she ate as a snack before bed.
While I was cooking she began work on my special edition Lego that I received in Downtown Disney Lego store. She finished all of the base and a chunk of the animals body, finding amazement that there were such details in its organs when we wouldn’t even see them. I finished it off with her permission when she went to bed. Turns out that my puzzle sorters work great for Lego as well!
Over dinner we watched the 1994 version of Thumbelina and gosh did she keep me entertained with her running commentary on how odd and ugly so much of it was, that everyone looked like they were trying to poop when they talked. She even got up and imitated it at several points. She wasn’t wrong, the 1953 version of Peter Pan had the same kind of animation. She had been raised on the best. We did enjoy the movies over all and I loved telling her how when I was under 10, I had a flower in a pot that I would twist the stem and the petals would open to reveal a tiny doll, Thumbelina. I loved it
I am so glad she came to stay, she has requested a stroll to the park across the way in the morning, and looks forward to a smashing breakfast, lol.
I worked hard and then went for lunch at Ella’s with Rae-Anne. We had the burger month burger and it was delicious. It was great to have a good catch up as well. After that I dropped off things at a client and was back to the office to power through some reconciling and payroll before going to see Ireland for a waxing. Then it was off to the arena to volunteer for Rotary 50/50 again. I had fun as usual. I am just so darn tired! Will was happy to learn that I had given him $150 for his band trip. He was super lovey dovey all evening. I stayed for the third period and sadly we lost. It turns out that the guy who was standing in front of me last week is the father of Sookro, one of the players who scored tonight.
Danika reached out to see if I could have Emmy overnight tomorrow and I do miss her, so agreed. Before that, I shall sleep in.
I was so incredibly stressed in anticipation of my Bio presentation today at Rotary that I couldn’t even eat. It went very well though and people were amazing afterward. I picked up Mom’s pills and had a short visit before heading to a client for a bit and then back to the office where I plowed on until 8 before coming home to collapse and watch Survivor and Big Brother Canada. While watching I won a swack more money. So, here are the stats. Between Nov 20 2023 and March 6 2024 in amounts from $50 to $200 I have deposited $1100 total to play and buy lottery tickets. In the last three days I have withdrawn a total of $8300 and still have $500 to play with.
I know it is a good streak that will end and I will not put more in. It is some good lucky streak. I even drew the 50/50 ticket today and it is chase the Ace. He pulled the Ace of Spades and won! I guess I rubbed off, lol.
Today was soul draining, I woke up still tired but happy to remember that last night I won over $700 in the online playnow BC casino and withdrew $500 which would go well to paying off my vacation debts. The day was a lot but I took the time to go get Minh to do my nails as I broke one yesterday and they were still my Valentine themed ones. He fit me in between my appointments, so that was awesome
I worked until 8 and came home to flake out and play a little online while I watched BBCan. Suddenly, my screen blew up and I had won over 5000.00! I immediately withdrew that much, I was very emotional. I think it was shock and disbelief. I FaceTimed with Mark who was so happy for me. Now I am very tired and should go to bed as tomorrow is Bio Day at Rotary.
How is it that a day goes by and I have very few memories of it? That is the work mode that I am currently in. I leap from one file fix to another that is asked of me by external bookkeepers. I was home by 9! This is supposed to be my slower month, a chance to recoup from the prior two. Ah, well, it will be all good in the end and I am nearly done paying off my vacation, so there’s that.
The nice part of the day was the scale. It is down into the next numbers, getting closer to that 40 pounds gone again. I am glad to be getting healthier.
I made appointments with my salon peeps tomorrow and will take the time for brows and nails so that I feel good about myself.
I may be suffering from eating a big chicken burger too late at night, After the Board meeting the 6 of us went to Boston Pizza and I had the burger of the month which was delicious. I was so hungry though that I ate too fast and it is sitting heavy now.
My day was productive but I am suffering the time change. I hope to get to sleep soon.
I am so glad I watched Poor Things last night. I was entranced by it and it sure took the awards tonight! The only best picture nominee that I didn’t get to see as I didn’t want to buy it, was Zone of Interest. I will be watching for it to stream for less that $25. Most of the other choices I agreed with although I did think Annette Benning was extraordinary in Nyad. After seeing Emma Stone in Poor Things, it was obvious that she would get it.
Donna came home from having her surgery in Kelowna and is doing well. That is such a relief. Damn, everyone is entering the danger range of ages.
I went into the office and finished my powerpoint for Thursday. I also finished a wage report breakdown for a client so that I don’t have to deal with it tomorrow. Mondays always come with so much to do.
We won’t have any snow when this night of rain is done. It has been coming down hard.
I didn’t sleep in as long as I would have liked, but I managed to get some crocheting and chores done including working on my Rotary Bio PowerPoint for Thursday.
I ran to pick up Distilled Water and Almond milk before stopping for a quick visit with Rae-Anne before heading to the arena. Bucks were playing the Silverbacks for the second night having lost in an open net OT game last night. It was my first time working 50/50 for Rotary and I had a great time.
I laughed when, just as I posted a picture of the guy standing directly in my view of the game, he turned and asked if I could see. I told him about the post and we had a good laugh.
Now I am home to sink into a relaxing bath and watch a movie or something. I shall finish my bio tomorrow so it is off my plate.
I woke up very early this morning and decided to get up. I hadn’t even had time to make a coffee when I got a text to call Mom’s cousin, Donna asap. I was anticipation very bad news. It was not as bad as I thought, but I was stunned to learn that she had had a heart attach last night and was in hospital waiting to go to Kelowna for a stent. She took her blood pressure at home and it was something like 240/180!! She wanted to let me know and have me tell my Mom as today was the day she usually get’s her groceries for her. I waited until it was late enough to call Mom and was grateful that Bill offered when I reached out to go get her grub.
Today was full after that. I was at the office earlier than usual. I went to the Rotary lunch where a guy was giving his bio. He was really interesting and touched a lot of people there who had him for a teacher here over the years. After we had a short meeting about the Gala and then it was back to the office to work on my own reconciling. There was something very wrong in my balances and it turns out that BMO was screwed up in the bank feed, downloading the pending and final expenses. It became evident when I saw two of each purchases in California, at slightly different amounts. They didn’t both go through but they both posted in my software. I was glad to get that sorted out as I am determined to file my taxes before anyone else’s this year. This shall not be the year that the cobbler’s kids go without shoes.
I came home and watched the first two episodes of BBCan while I gambled a little online. Turned $200 into over $600 and called it a night.
I am winding down watching The Voice and hope to sleep well tonight.
I did just hear from Donna and she is likely have in surgery in the morning. Her son and husband will be there. Her oldest daughter will v come tend her at home. Family blessings.
Today I didn’t make much money but I got a lot of things done on volunteer paperwork and my own towards doing my taxes. The saying that A cobbler’s kids goes without shoes, rings true when I start filing T1s and leave mine to last. It’s not that I want to pay any money sooner, but I want to be prepared for the hit. Disadvantage of being self-employed. I have to remember that I have a great deal of freedom of schedule that is a good trade off.
I volunteered at Key City tonight and was grateful to work a door rather than the bar for the first time in a long time. It was announced that there is a raffle to win tickets, flights and accommodation in Toronto to see Taylor Swift in November. Second place is $1000 and third is a stay at the Fairmont Inn. Yes, I do plan to buy a ticket or two when they go on sale on Friday.
The show was great, not kidding. Opener was Kate Belton and I really enjoyed her. Julie Kim is brilliant. I don’t always enjoy comedians, but neither of them came off needy. They were just charming and funny.
Of course I had to buy the bag!
I am still getting used to my new MacBook and am pleased with the cheat sheet sticker I ordered that arrived today.
And now I am watching Survivor 46 (really?! I have been watching it for that long!) and enjoying a bit of port before the next list of must do for tomorrow hits.
I had a good laugh when my Outlook popped up today with a Tone Detection warning. I may see it more often than I would like to but it is a cool feature.
My large order from UpsideDrinks.ca of non-alcoholic drinks arrived today. I now have a weird bachelor fridge. I look forward to trying them.
One of the best parts of my day has been watching the documentary about Mr. Dressup. There are just so many incredible moments shared. The moment with him and Fred Penner touched my heart, as did those when his son talks about him. It really was a trip down memory lane, enjoying all my fondest.
I was tired and feeling cold so I made a delicious soup. The perfect comfort food. Tracey came over and visited while I was making it. I gave her the things I got for her birthday, which isn’t until August. I got her all the items to get and stay connected when we go on our big trip. I want her to be sure they work before we go.
triumphgal 