triumphgal

September 19, 2023

I was up early enough to have a coffee and a mug of chicken broth before my pre-procedure deadline. After that I finished my puzzle, did my pre clean out and put the front seat covers on my car. Stopped at the office to pick up a couple parcels that had arrived and then headed to the hospital. I was told to be there for 12:15. It didn’t take too long to get taken in, given a gown, history taken, and hooked up to an IV. My blood pressure and weight were really good which made me happy. I read my book and waited but a headache started to come on due to dehydration, I’m sure. They started pumping Saline into me. Finally at 2:24 I was taken in. I had opted for no sedation or I wouldn’t be able to drive for 24 hours. That was the one big mistake. I had not in any stretch of the imagination thought that having an Endoscopy and a single banding would trigger me. I don’t generally like that word but it best describes what happened. I steeled myself and made it through, trying to be interested in the screen that showed my innards and what they were doing, trying to listen, trying to ask my follow up questions… I barely made it back to the space where I was wheeled when I broke down completely. My ‘official’ rape was not the first time I had been sexually abused and a lot came flooding back. I thought I had dealt with everything and was in control, but trauma is trauma and is a sneaky bastard. My nurse, Marika, and the Dr were extremely kind. My friend, Marsha, who was working the desk offered to get a social worker for me, and followed up later with a text to see if I was ok, when I refused. I just wanted out of the environment immediately.

I came home and started sorting a new puzzle so that I would focus on going to Vegas in less than two weeks. My innards were not happy but eventually calmed down and I decided to go to the Chamber after Hours due that I had registered for. I was there for an hour or so, had a few horsd’ouvres and made chatter the best I could before coming home to put my rear seat covers mostly in. A truck drove by and I heard a little girls voice say, “Mom, look at the Barbie car”. It made my day. Now I am exhausted physically and emotionally and shall puzzle a bit before going to bed early. So much to do in the next week and a half so that I can get away!

September 18, 2023

I was at the office fairly early, working to get as much done as possible so that I can take all of tomorrow off for my Endoscopy and banding.

It was a decent day, a regular amount of stress and I was able to take time to come home for lunch. As I was getting ready to leave, up walked Will and his friend. They had gone down to their elementary school at lunch. It was so great to get hugs as they headed back to middle school.

I finished everything and then headed to Key City Theatre for the volunteer intro for the new season. It was good and we did an evacuation exercise which was interesting especially to see the fire curtain come down.

September 17, 2023

Up at a decent time, I reached out to my neighbour Tracey to see if she was available with her truck today to help me take my yard waste to the transfer station. I did laundry and in the house chores while I waited to hear from her. When I did, I loaded up the bags into her truck, mowed the lawn and began weeding. She came home from her errands and joined in along her fence line. Once we got the truck loaded and tapped, we headed for the transfer station. It was a lot!! What a relief to get so much done. I enjoy the look of my yard again. I had really let it go this summer.

She is such a good friend, I was thinking how similar our hearts are. I give in community and she is invested personally.

After dropping the load, we headed to Home Depot as I had intention to buy a 12 ft Jack Skellington to put between our two homes… BUT it was $498!! Nope, can’t do that right now. It was cool though

After that we went to Walmart where the lights I was looking for were sold out but I found a couple cool things to add to my Home Depot bat purchase.

Once back home and unloaded, I took my recycling to the bin, picked up some items at Shoppers Drug and them stopped to see mom. She was playing Bing which seems to be her Sunday jam now. I cleared out her car and took video and pictures of the inside and out so we can sell it. We had a short visit catching up on things and finding out that although she wanted to transfer her AirMiles to me, it would cost .15 a piece. She told me just to spend them as I want to as a ‘commission’

I was so tired when I got home, but I made dinner and ate and puzzled a little.

The only sad.. or ridiculous part of the day was when Mom mentioned that she saw my cousin’s post about going on the cruise. That was when I realized she unfriended and blocked me…. How sad, she has expressed in the past that she feels alone, but she creates that reality in her life…. Sigh. I hope Auntie Trish has fun, that is all I ever wanted for her.

September 16, 2023

What a surprising day this turned out to be.

I went to bed so early last night that I woke up at 4:44. I tried to lay in for longer and finally got up to check messages. I found one that said my parcel of my new car seat covers was to be delivered to the office today so I decided to get ready and go in. I had only one thing on my calendar today which was my ABC zoom call at 10 so I went to the office, deciding to get some work done ahead of Monday, hoping to be there to receive my parcel as well.

I missed the delivery but know they will bring it on Monday. I enjoyed the zoom call, catching up with 5 couples, making plans for my trip to Oregon to see the Keyes, and am excited that Colleen booked us a Segway tour while I am there. They were great help to plan my journey to Vegas once I leave there and I am looking forward to visiting Crater Lake on the way south.

While I was at the office I got payroll and PST filings done and received a text from Monica asking if I was available to bottle wine with her at 2. Of course, I said yes and we had fun and enjoyed wine and a fun Ramen game on her porch for a few hours afterwards.

I popped home for a bit before meeting Dave and Deb at the Heidout at 7. They are visiting on a golf vacation from the coast. When I arrived at the restaurant I was happy to find Pretty For the People playing on the patio. It was very loud and I was worried D&D might think it too loud. Turns out they loved it and I was happy to have them hear my friends play. We had a most awesome visit and made plans to get together again while they are here. Next time will be at Encore, for sure.

What a great filling of the love tank today. I am grateful for being spontaneous.

September 15, 2023

Today was the day I deposited my mortgage cheque and paid off most of my debt. It was not uncomplicated. There were runs to my bank, the dealership, the other bank, my bank, the other bank, my bank and more. The issue was the limit on my transferability daily. Maddi works at my bank, much to my surprise and she and I laughed at how many times I was in to the branch in one day when I usually do everything online. The most satisfying part of it all was paying off nearly 110K of debt with high interest in one day. My car is now paid off, all my house Renovations and more. I am not completely free as I have a CEBA loan and CRA to finish paying off but with the lack of debt servicing, I will be able to do that in no time.

I feel like I can breathe again

Tracey drove me to pick up my car from the retailer tonight and he did do a great job. I am getting ready for my roadtrip. The tix came through for U2 at the Sphere in Vegas today which just makes it even more real.

I remember back in the day as a single mom on welfare. The days without money were not too stressful as I just made due. The days the money came in were full of stress as I tried to figure out where it was best spent. Today felt similar.

I also find it incredible to have gone from a single Mom on welfare to where I am today… anything is possible.

Including a tasty dinner

September 14, 2023

Today was another run around crazed day. When I got up I found a message from Rae hoping I could cover lunch today at Arby’s. Of course, I said yes…

I fit that in, a fun shift on drivethru 1 which I havent done for a long time. The crew was fun and we got it done.

Rae came and got me around 4:30 and we went to drop my car off for detailing. She dropped me back at home to grab the jeep and back to the office I went.

I poured myself into one file and suddenly it was nearly 9 so I felt it best to go home.

In between, I also met the lawyer and picked up my cheque which I will need to deposit at the bank tomorrow.

It has been a full and satisfying day for sure

September 13, 2023

6.5 hours on one file, a remote in AGM, and then off to Key City to volunteer bartend for a lobby show.

The first act was The Mellow Rows from Castlegar. They were ok. They were very loud in the small space. Sadly only 12 people came out to see the show. I felt bad for Ferdy, the promoter.

Pink Mountaintops was really great. They were more psychedelic rock and left me in a good vibe mood. I ended up buying two of their CDs and look forward to uploading them to my playlist.

Now I am going to try to get sleepy.

September 12, 2023

I was at the office early, did a lot of work and ran to the lawyer to sign my mortgage papers. Should have the cheque in hand Thursday night. I borrowed extra to consolidate and look forward to paying off a lot on Friday. It is such a relief to get it done, finally.

I was at Arby’s for my 5-close shift after this full day. Both Ashlée and I were very tired as we are working two jobs. I was grateful to have accepted the shift though as I wasn’t aware it would be her last shift. She is working full time again for Roto Rooter. It was lovely to close with her and Stu. The people who came in were all very nice and we even got a good tip from the last customer of the evening who was able to order at only minutes to close. I loved listening to Ash taking his order with joy and no sign in her voice that he just made it.

A tiresome but joy filled day!!

Oh, and Gene, my eldest grandson, was on the front page of the paper playing his trombone at Ed Fest!

September 11, 2023

Today was complicated, I am not going to kid you.

I did get 4.5 hours of paid work done in between a dentist appointment to fix my broken filling, time spent on volunteerism and other things.

The board meeting went very well, with some heavy discussions about the way we treat each other and communicate. We made some big decisions about what we want to do over this Fall season to be able to make bigger and better plans going forward. I believe we all left feeling good and accomplished.

I was not impressed when, well after the office had closed, I received notice that my Pair shipment had been delivered. I went to the front of the building to find it on the ground. They hadn’t even bothered to ring the door bell which would have summoned the janitor or any of the three of us still working there. I suspect that is how one of my orders earlier in the year went missing. Very disappointed in DHL. They have a terrible reputation and I wish there was a different way to get my orders.

September 10, 2023

i woke up after a good long sleep with a smile on my face remembering the day that was yesterday. One of the highlights was unexpected, when the rapper was into his first song, he actually said, “just like Marnée said” and that made my day.

I put in over 18000 steps yesterday! Today I have mostly watched Glow, which I really love, but I learned there are only 3 seasons as it was sidelined by Covid. I think it is a must see series. I do laugh how often I see shirts, sweaters and jewelry that I wore in the ‘80s.

Tracey and I had a short visit and then she came with me to the pet store for food and to pick up a chair I bought from Addison and Vanessa. It is an Ikea Poang and they fit my back perfectly. I have a fancier cushion for it that I will take to the dry cleaner this week as it was used for my AirBnB and needs freshening up. Now I just need to be rid of my couch/chair.

Laundry is done, good food was made and eaten, with enough left for lunch or dinner tomorrow, and I am still enjoying the show which i will likely finish before bed.

September 10, 2023

It was a 13.5 hour day but so satisfying. I was able to be the ‘see a need fill it’ person and was emcee for the community stage. Over all, the event was a huge success. I feel that the audience and performers had an amazing time and I hope we will di it all again next year. I will let the pics and videos speak to the day. One of the lovely moments was when a gentleman stopped me to say he had wanted to let me know all summer how much he enjoys me as emcee. That was sweet.

Ed the elephant was a huge fan favourite. Marcel did an amazing job making him. And my grandson Gene played trombone in the parade!

These were the acts at the Community Stage: Highland Dancers, Tunesmiths, Alfonso Joseph, Slone Leman, Strange 2ruth

random fun

Garret T, Willie is absolutely and old soul with a gift. Could have listened to him all night!

And then it was time to close out the night with Five Alarm Funk!!

September 8, 2023

In the usual yo-yo kind of world that I live in, today had many ups and downs.

Up: got all my volunteer book work done

Down: had many draws on my attention

Up: bought tickets to the Sharks vs Ducks game on January 31st in Anaheim for Roger, Gene and Lukas to join me as Christmas presents. Got really good ones in the first row of the upper section, centre ice. It will be the boys first NHL game.

Up: My ABC friends from Santa Barbara, Craig and Lorraine, are going to join me in Disney for two nights and two full days!! I can’t wait to see them and introduce them to All my family. They won’t be around when I am heading south next month so I will figure out a new route. What a joy to know I will see them soon.

Down: one of my client’s accountants asked me for a long list of info very late in the day for a Friday.

Up: One of the client’s employees helped me get it done in short order.

Down: I was tasked to put together the rider bits for the two headliner bands tomorrow

Up: I was tasked to put together the rider bits for the two headliner bands tomorrow!!

Up: I had so much fun shopping, filling the list of Keto friendly, interesting foods and beverages. Google and label reading was my Jam, The hardest thing to find was a 26er of Silver Patreon. At the last spot in town I finally found it.

Up: The dinner I made was delicious.

Down: Today was the 1st anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Up: I enjoyed watching Glow and puzzling

UP! I needed tissues and like a particular size of box. There was only one left of that size peeking from the top shelf. It was soooo meant to be mine

September 6, 2023

Sometimes, well actually, most times… the only thing I need to do to stop the ruminating is to phone a friend.

Today, there was a google meeting for 2.5 hours to assist a client, work on getting remittances calculated for others, a call with the lender to discuss mortgage and accept docusign info to sign things off with them before I do it in person with the lawyer, and then a final meeting pre Ed Fest which happens on Saturday.

Afterwards I came home and made a good meal, and puzzled while I ruminated on the last item. I have been at all but one planning meeting and have added to the event in a positive way, of this I am secure. Unfortunately, I was left out by my own organization in the end. It is not the fault of all of them, just a few who do not value my part. This sat heavily with me this eventing and I finally decided to text a friend who is involved at the top and when he was able, we talked on the phone. He had observed what I was feeling and knew exactly how to use my skills. He had concerns that the bands may need someone to be their person and was glad to assign me to assist him and be that person. I also clarified how he would like the fence set up and I will be there early to ensure it happens.

I was left feeling valued and needed. I am once again looking forward to the event.

That’s what friends are for.

It was four years ago today that my besties in the UK and I attended Come From Away, in London, and I can’t imagine any piece of theatre that could move me more. I also can’t believe it was 4 years ago already!! I love and miss them dearly.

September 5, 2023

I heard from the lender that I was approved, tomorrow will be the initial call to go through all the details and docusign and then there will be the lawyer appointment to complete my mortgage. This makes me happy but I also am experiencing extreme anxiety. I don’t know why, can’t put a finger on it to work through it and make it go away…

And so I resort to my go to… I drink the anxiety away, or at least to a point of dropping into a deep sleep. There are two things very wrong with this though… I wake 5 hours later, dehydrated and stressing…. I gain weight. I have gained 10 pounds back, still down 35, which is great but I need to stop the gain.

I have also been having really weird dreams. I hope it is to do with the mortgage, not that I am picking up on something nefarious coming down the line.

Such is the life of the empath, I don’t know always if the feeling is mine or someone else’s. I do know there is someone in the building I work in that is having issues with their health and I have been trying to protect both of us from feeling what’s going on.

We shall see…

September 4, 2023

I had barely wiped the sleep out of my eyes when I saw that someone couldn’t make their shift at Arby’s today that was to start in 15 minutes. I messaged Rae and she said to come as soon as I could. I worked from 11:30 to 2:30 and actually found myself annoyed too often at the lack of authority and awareness in the shift. It all was fine but I wished it to have been better. It is a tough time of transition as the new owners take over the end of next month. The new owner is not as on top of things as Rae is and I have to allow for that, not be judgemental, but it is hard as my daughters rock the job and I have height expectations.

Once I got home, I booked the flights for Emmy and I and Universal tickets for Jake, Yumi and I. It is good to open all the options and apps to find the best. I now feel that Emmy and I are going no matter what, lol.

Hopefully Danika works on getting Emmy’s passport asap.

A big group of us met at Encore to have food and drinks to celebrate school starting tomorrow.

I am going to buy Ducks vs Sharks tickets on January 31st for Roger, Lukas and Gene as Christmas presents. I am excited to take the grandsons to their first NHL game in my team’s home ice. I will have to pack jerseys for all.

I misunderstood when everyone was coming home but with Emmy under my care to get home, I would not be able to stay as long as them anyway.

I can’t believe it has already been 4 years since I left for the UK. How can it be that long since I saw my besties!!

September 3, 2023

And challenging to coordinate! 13 of us are going to Disney and Universal Hollywood in the new year. I am going to have to travel with Emmy to meet her Dad and his girlfriend there. That is not bad necessarily but it does complicate things when it comes to bookings. I spent a great deal of time online today, comparing hotels and flights and finally booked rooms for Jake, Yumi, Emmy and I near Universal for the first two nights and at the same hotel as everyone else for the next 5 nights.

EVERYTHING is expensive and I am going to have to make sure Jake pays a good portion of the hotel and covers all Emmy expenses. I can’t afford to subsidize this in any way, especially after my roadtrip next month.

It will be the one big family vacation though, so worth it in the end.

First world problems, I get it.

September 2, 2023

I got chores done and then met Jake, Emmy, Will and Sawyer at the theatre at noon to see Elemental. We were completely enjoying the movie when the Fire Alarm went off. At first most of us thought it was part of the movie and then realized the lights were flashing. We all waited outside for half an hour before they found out someone had triggered the alarm near the Dollar Store in the mall and we were allowed back in. Because it was the only showing of the day, they started it near where we left off and we were able to see it to the end. It was a lovely movie. We stopped to see Mom after. Sawyer gives the best hugs.

next, Jake and I took Emmy, Lukas, Will and Sawyer to Jim Smith lake where they have done a lot of work including putting in a new playground. The kids had a lot of fun and Jake and I got a good visit in.

Dinner was at the Guedes house with the three new home stay students who arrived today. Demetri and Mario are Rae and Roger’s new ones and there was also a lovely girl from next door. We had delicious food and a good visit before working on plans for all the original family to go to Disney and Universal January 27 to February 6th. I am to fly down with Emmy and meet Jake and Yumi there. We are a great number of people hoping to stay close to the park. It is complicated but we we will make memories.

Mom is going to give me her air miles to help towards Emmy’s flight thankfully.

September 1, 2023

My day at the office was greatly improved when I got a text from Jake that he was here and agreed to do early lunch. He picked me up at the office and after a fun photo session, we agreed that Hot Shots was the place. The Pad Thai Bowls we had were amazing… and Jake paid!

His license plate kills me. I did suggest it say, Just Kill Me on the frame. I pitched him Nerd Nana as an unboxing for the ‘older” set. I could tell he was not amused, but I think the idea has merit and it will rattle around on his drove home.

I popped out to do some errands and stopped at both the car dealership and a client to take care of business.

Once I got back to the office I was becoming stressed as I still hadn’t received a batch of time sheets. By the time they finally sent them, I was getting annoyed as it was late on Friday of a long weekend. After all it turned out alright as I connected with Sonia, my roadtrip companion next month. It was Saturday morning in Perth and we chatted about our plans and where to stay, when.

I stopped at the liquor store for martini makings and then SavOn to get olives (which turned out to have pits but were delicious) and also picked up bacon wrapped scallops for dinner. Once I got home and cooked I went for a walk around our big block with Tracey. Once I got home I enjoyed my food and martinis and after puzzling for a bit while I watched Big Brother and AGT, I decided to watch Stand By Me. It has been a while and honestly, it is still amazing.