I slept right through my alarm today but that did not panic me as I have the tent trailer ready and things organized for my day. A quick shower and off to the office. There was much to do but this month is mostly fixing other peoples stuff and finishing things I put off last month. There is not as much pressure at this point.
I decided to head to my recently acquired client’s shop as he is still struggling to complete 2020 so he can send in his year end and continue on. He is kind and thoughtful and I agreed to take his case. I worked for an hour or so and then headed home to meet my guest, Sheldon. Once he was checked in, I headed back to the shop and worked until 9. Two more months to go and a review before sending it to the accountant and then on to the 2021 file. We agreed that me going home from the office first and having a break and dinner before going there is the best idea. I have a board meeting tomorrow night, plan to go on a group kayak Wednesday and then have my Shield Maidens class Thursday but I will get it done… soon. I have to remind myself that someone else’s falling behind doesn’t make it my emergency. At least he’s a nice human that I am happy to assist and he pays the second I send him an invoice.
The wildfires are kicking in around us but at least not too close to be feared. The air quality goes from bad to okay dependent on the wind direction. It is later in the year for the most part.
I slept well and long enough, awoke to accomplish some chores in the house and then headed outside to deal with my nasty pool. I haven’t been maintaining it properly and on top of it, little miss Emmy came down with hand foot and mouth disease and she was in it last weekend. I left it covered and intended to get chemicals and deal with it sooner but by the time I opened it up this afternoon, it was pretty green, sigh. I had bought a kit yesterday to shock it so I followed the directions and have to wait 48 hours to see how it worked. I seriously hope I don’t have to refill it, such a waste of water. I will perhaps have a greener lawn though, so that would be an advantage.
I slept through the cool part of the day so didn’t get the lawn mowed, again. I had tried to start my weed eater last time I was doing lawn maintenance but it wouldn’t run. I need to trim the lawn edges more than mow but it will have to wait for another day. My roses have recovered from the deer attacking them and I am still getting a few raspberries daily which is a blessing.
Through late afternoon and evening I took down one of the ceiling swag curtains in the trailer and put the beautiful piece of material I picked up at Fabricland. I then spent the rest of the time making two new curtains out of it for the side windows as they got some mildew stains I can’t get out. I haven’t sewn in a while but it was very enjoyable. They are not fully finished on all edges but I have a guest for the whole week so I had to get them finished ‘enough’ and hang them.
I made a Hello Fresh meal for the first in a long time, California Style Fish Tacos and it was so great in the texture and taste department. I will see how well that transfers to my lunch tomorrow, though.
While I was doing all the indoor things today I watched the limited series on Netflix, Inventing Anna. It do is something that would be completely unbelievable if it wasn’t true.
I tried to sleep in this morning but found myself up at a decent time and working my way through some chores. I decided to get myself prettied up in a sun dress and head into the office to finish my data entry and reporting for Tuesday’s FPPAS board meeting. I intermittently dropped things off at the park and accomplished many chores, picking up prescriptions, purchasing chemicals for my pool as poor Emmy was in it last and came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (from others, not the pool), and shopping for a punching bag to hang on the stand I was able to get for free from an acquaintance.
I am going back for this one
Once I got myself settled at Rotary Park, I learned the stage manager preferred me to MC. I admit, I really love doing it. Over the years I have been blessed to do so in front of 10s of thousands of folks at EXPo 86 and many other moments. It is a different kind of performance, more like stand up and it is more awkward as the audience is at quite a distance but I really do love it and am honoured that our team has that faith in me. It is also fun to do the announcements with Maureen as our banter back and forth works well.
Sackboy on a local adventure
I knew it was my official night off and that I could mostly hang out so I had messaged my friend Steph and asked her to join me. We had a great night of chat and encouraging each other in our life goals etc. We acknowledge each other’s ethics and desires for the good and full life we desire. It is good to have a top tier friend like her. At 59 and 45 it is wonderful to find such connection.
I came home and have been watching Amazing Race Canada which has been nearly local in Fernie and Sparwood. So fun to watch.
I ask your forgiveness for dropping out of sight. It has been nearly a month since my last missive! I have been processing this whole ‘what is my story and what is not’ and decided I just need to catch up and carry on. I will do a separate entry eventually to record the hot spots of what has gone on previously but decided that the stress of that was keeping me from my daily. So, here I am.
I was motivated to share tonight by a lovely young couple staying in my Airbnb. Oriana and Lucas were super cute and friendly. I was prepared by saying goodnight and goodbye as I will not be setting an alarm before they are likely to leave in the morning. As it happened I was engrossed watching Clickbait when Lucas came in for a shower and in a random conversation as he was heading out we connected that Oriana also grew up in a houseboat in Queensborough. He ran out to get her and we discovered so many connections including him going to theatre school at Uvic and her working here at Fort Steele in the past! We ended up having a great visit and it reminds me why I do this Airbnb thing; not for the money, but for the relationships.
Meanwhile IRL, today was not easy, but I adore that an onsite assist client stepped out and brought me an Ice Cap, asked if he could book me for his year end and compliments me big time about my abilities. It makes what I do feel meaningful, especially when I feel left out of the clique back at the office.
Rae texted me for a ‘red chair in the yard’ visit which I always wish for more of and we had a good catch up before she had to go back to work to help close due to a sick employee. It was great to get her perspective on what has been going on for me and hear all about her work vacation to Ottawa and Montreal. I miss our long conversations when I would be driving to a job and she had her own shop and time to talk,
I believe I am back for a while now. It is hard to know what is my story to tell and what is just the reaction to others stories but I know that I have obsessed about not doing this. Each night the thoughts rush through my brain on a loop because I have not ‘penned’ them here. I believe it is good for my mental health, so I shall continue.
Goodnight, my friends, I have missed you.
OH yeah, beware blueberries, I turned my smoothie into pudding this morning. I had to use a spoon rather than drink it, lol
Again there is so much to tell but I am pretty done as it is 1:36 am and earlier this evening three members of one of our local bands were hit and run on their bicycles. A guy is in custody. We think they will all be fine but one was airlifted to Nanaimo.
I had amazing moments with Taj Mahal, Jim Byrnes and so many more that want to remember. I will try to recall them in the coming days. Tomorrow is already here, must sleep.
Be safe out there and hug someone you love.
Oh, and Eric apologized and said he was mean and drunk and very wrong, so there’s that.
Doesn’t work as well when working at a festival. Today was very full. Things were running behind but ended up successful in the end, grateful am I. Many hands came together to build this village, set up all the gear, feed the hungry (physically and spiritually), and give the people what they want. I am grateful for all the people that made it happen, the crews that jumped at everything they were asked to do and the people that are above me and yet somehow supporting me in all I need to do. I met some artists who made me smile and laugh and none who brought grief along with them. It was a day of triage and putting out wee fires. The performers this evening were incredible with HER Majesty finishing out the evening in glorious style. I will post pics and videos when I have better wifi and hope you are as entertained as I and thousands of others were. It is 1:30 am and the alarm rings whether I want it to or not. There are 5 more stages to get all up and running by 10 am.
The only thing I am trying to shake off is drunk Eric telling me ‘you just slide in, don’t you Marnée, after all the work is done.’ I simply replied, ‘I guess that is your perception’ and wandered off to bed. As usual, I guess I made it look so easy, it doesn’t look like I am doing much at all… sigh.
My bed set-up worked great and I was baked out around 8. My stomach does not agree with me today, unfortunately but I have enjoyed lingering and meeting with Doug to go over all the stages. Unfortunately we have already had two artists and a techie have to drop out due to Covid tests. I feel bad for the guy who came from England, only to be found positive in Vancouver. I hope he had a negative one and can still make it but it is not looking promising.
Ashlée and KC arrived, set up their tent and went for coffee and distilled water for me as I didn’t get the make out this morning. It has tried to rain a little but the sun is out again and the breeze so hopefully that bad weather will move along.
The day was a bit discombobulating as things are behind where I am used to at this stage. It is a lessen in patience and understanding. As more familiar faces arrived it became more real, that we are going to make this happen. I spent time with Doug going through all the schedules and ensuring I knew of any things out of the ordinary. It is one of my favourite times as I am filled in by him on who each person is in the music world. His knowledge of artists and their place in this universe is outstanding. I took time to rest and ready, was grateful for a hot shower and began preparing my mind for the speech I had to give as a coordinator at the volunteer meeting. Not long before that I was standing beside Doug who was sitting at the picnic table and he mentioned he really wasn’t feeling well and it felt like his heart. His son and I took him to First Aid being careful not to alert any one, especially his wife who was very busy at the time. They recommended he go to the hospital so I got my daughter to get the car and we took him up to the parking area where she picked him up and off they went. It was a large and fearful burden to keep the secret. My comfort was that Ash was with him and would stay as long as necessary. I walked over to where the meeting was and met Cresslynn on the way so made the decision to tell her as she and his wife are very close. I got up on stage, did my introduction and waited until it was time to have a crew meeting and orient those who had attended. While under way, Ash walked up and my brain erased momentarily. After the meeting I found out that she had called Doug’s daughter and his wife was soon on her way to the hospital. He is fine and I don’t know all the details but it was so good to see him come back and be able to carry on.
I was standing chatting with Clay, the owner of the sound company that attends the main stage when he mentioned he really wanted a coffee so I grabbed my maker and headed to his trailer. One good cup of Peruvian coffee and he was a happy camper. I sat for a while enjoying a piece of pizza and a visit before heading back to my camp. I love sitting here listening to the banter of the site crew in their party living room campsite. I shall tuck in and get some sleep as tomorrow promises to be a long busy day.
I was up at 6 with mom’s good old clock radio and after a couple coffee and a shower headed for the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal arriving around 8:45 and assured I would be on the 10:15 to Nanaimo. I enjoyed a traditional breakfast, read my book, napped a little and mostly stared at the beautiful Salish Sea. It has been 2.5 years since I have seen the ocean and it was good for my soul. The trip was uneventful and we were in fact ahead of schedule when we docked. The drive up island was busy as always through the outskirts of Nanaimo but cleared mainly as I hit the Freeway. The closer I got to Courtenay, the more emotional I was getting in anticipation of seeing friends that I have only texted, emailed or had brief chats with since MusicFest 2019. I parked, took my, I’m Here! Photo, picked up my credentials and hitched a ride with Tiny (after a big hug) to find Doug, Marcy and Cresslynn. It was raining but the public camping was lined up and beginning to fill as Doug and I sat in his cart and caught up (if that is possible). At one point a young lad came and stood in front of me and said Hey, I know you. Lincoln! I exclaimed and we took our Fest Face pic. He has grown so much and I was so happy he remembered me. I spent the rest of the afternoon getting little rides around the site, having great discussions and settling in. I set up my car camp in the site crew spot and they ran me power for my CPAP and charging. Blair picked me up and bought us dinner from a great food truck, the Phat Parrot, which we took to his place for a visit and I completed a payroll before he helped me put the binders for all the stage managers and tech crew for each stage. We had a nice time and then he dropped me back at the site where I promptly ended up at Val’s camp spot for a few too many beverages and great catch up with her, Mike and Jackie. I rarely got opportunity for good visits in the few years previous but I am very ready ahead this year in fear of forgetting anything (only my Fitbit so far).
Random: I discovered a little light switch above my visor and the bathroom lighting is odd in Superstore here
I am busy after midnight finishing the set up of my bed because I have been ignoring all else and spending time with my long lost friends. I promise to fill you in tomorrow morning
had a terrible sleep last night as I had dinner that inadvertently had spices that do not agree with me. Rosie tried to get the air mattress to stay inflated but it would not so she suggested I just climb in with her. We started watching the Jeffrey Epstein documentary and it started to get my mind reeling. Next thing you know I headed out to the living room to let her sleep and tried to get comfortable on her loveseat. I did manage to get some sleep and still be awake a decent time. Hung out and had coffee with the fam jam and then packed and showered before taking some pictures. I really love these people. It. Is weird when I think that Sarah and Michael are my generation of first cousins and yet their kids are 13-17 and my grand kids are 5-15. I learned this morning about FlingGolf which I hope to try once back in Cranbrook. Rosie made me a delicious breakfast of Egg, toast and back bacon. I was glad to get fueled up before doing the payroll I needed to do and heading out. I did have trouble accessing the software and that set me behind but I got what I needed to done, packed the car, hugged goodbye and headed down along the lake, winding my way up to Highway 1.
I had not travelled far when I noticed trucks flashing their lights at me. There wasn’t much traffic coming and then there was and all of them were fast flashing their lights. I came up to a curve and saw cars stopped. I could see, not too far ahead, what appeared to be a very serious accident. We had not been stopped for too long, just long enough to get out and stretch when a woman came out of a side road and drove slowly past us near the beginning of the line telling us if we went down that road, we would by-pass the accident. I was so grateful as it was just a long block length of a road that perfectly went around it and I was on my way. By now the line heading East was very long. I found out later there were 3 fatalities.
My CarPlay would not reconnect after I got going so I pulled over to try all the things Google recommended but no luck so made a beeline for the Hyundai dealership in Kamloops. Of course when the woman came out to assist, it worked. I apparently had done the correct thing, just had to walk away with phone and keys and then get back in and it started, connected and all good. I thanked her for being my lucky charm and off I went down the Coquihalla Highway. It was still very obvious in many spots where the storm damage happened last year. Often long slower stretches of undivided highway. I made good time and stopped for gas in Hope where it was the. Cheapest I have seen so far. $2.09/Litre
I finally made it to Mom’s just before 6:30 where she and Julie were waiting for me. We made a plan and headed to Red Rose Restaurant. The calamari was delicious and there was plenty left over from my Chicken Neptune for Mom to have tomorrow. We had a lovely visit and thanked Mom for buying. Once we were back, we put my car in the underground parking as I have my life in there right now and mOm had received a note in her door that thieves were targeting cars in the parking lot including smashing windows. Once back up at the apartment Julie changed a lightbulb and got Mom’s twilight working and then we had a good laugh when as she was explaining how her cochlear implant works (no MRIs due to magnets under the skin) I stuck one of my Pair frames to the side of her head. She is magnetic and now has eyes in the ack of her head. We had a good laugh over that.
I am very very tired and had planned to go to bed long ago, must get a ferry in the morning.
I got myself up and showered, took out the garbage and finished loading the car. Fed George and Missy and the Stickbugs and headed to the office. I paid client bills, ran payroll and hit the road by 1:15.
The most exciting thing before leaving though was that I got a message that my glasses were in Cranbrook via UPS but were not to be delivered until tomorrow. I called the head office of Alopex, the local delivery for UPS and got a lovely lady who called me ‘hon’ and said she would see what she could do. Within half an hour my new Pair shades were delivered and I LOVE them! I took some blurry pics and proceeded to get my work done.
The drive was in and out of rain and lightening and 6.25 hours later I was in Sorrento enjoying a meal with so much family that I haven’t seen in years that I forgot to even check my phone or take any pictures. My cousin Mark and Elaine with his daughter Sarah and her boyfriend Hunter, cousin Sarah and Kevin with their sons Owen and Emery, cousin Michael and Shanna with son Parker, Uncle Bryan, Auntie Lynne and my cousin Rosie who’s side of the house I am staying in were all here! It is funny that I hadn’t seen Mark in forever and this is the second time this year. Parker, Owen and Emery are lovely young men from 13-17 who are such a joy to be around, even though they barely or don’t remember me. There was much good catch up and funny stories. I miss these folks and no matter how much time goes by we all feel the love.
It was so strange driving with so much traffic as the last time I came this way was May 2020 when I went to pick up Jackie’s table on a quick round trip to 100 Mile. There were many asshat drivers and close calls but I love my alerts and safety features in my car and it was all good in the end. Rosie and I sat and had a good visit after everyone went to bed. I am now about to tuck in with her as the air mattress is not holding air, lol. Good thing we are both deep sleepers! I have payroll to do in the morning before heading to the coast. Next stop Ocean Park to see Mom.
Of course I woke up to pouring rain. This was the day I was to empty my car, clean it and pack for the trip. I got everything ready inside and then when the rain stopped for a while, I started loading. I was stressing what to bring for clothes that would fit in my carry on luggage but realized I could take another bag as I have room. The weather is sure to be variable as rain is in the forecast so I am taking clothes for all seasons, my raincoat and 3 pairs of different weather shoes. I spent time making the reflective letter signs for in lock-up, putting my master binder together and doing the household things like litter box, plant watering etc. I showed Tracey how I water my plants so she will Leo it while I am away when she comes to feed Missy. The stick bugs will survive on the lettuce and George has a time release fish food. I think I have remembered everything. All I have to do in the morning is pack my toiletries and pillow, turn off the AC, pack the cooler and go to the office. I have two payroll and some payments to make and then I will head to Sorrento to stay the night.
I spent time trying to decide what ferry to take on Wednesday to get to Courtenay in time for dinner and there are too many options and no reservations for any of them so I shall just show up early and see which one I can get on. I decided it was not a stress I needed today.
As I was redoing my binder, I found a Stage Plot that made me smile. I also discovered the damn deer got in last night and ate all the flowers and buds on my beautiful rose bush. Thankfully I had recently taken a picture. The other flowers are coming along nicely, the first blooms on my Peonies and lilies!
When I was looking for something I found Jake’s Christmas present from Emmy that had fallen down in the den. I will bring it to my Mom’s where he can get it and the mystery is solved
I started gathering things into a pile to load the car tomorrow. I now plan to leave as soon as I finish my payroll and payments on Monday. I also stripped the trailer and spare room beds and did laundry. Next it was off to pick up an electric kettle from Ash to take with me so I can make myself coffee and tea on site. After a short visit with Rae, I headed to the mall to find a few things including a charging station. I got a good one on sale at Canadian Tire, some hot pink clothes at Rickis, and sunscreen and bug spray from Shoppers. When I came out there was a terrible big accident at the main intersection outside the mall. It looked pretty bad. From there I went to the office and worked on the last of MusicFest before I leave and the ran a payroll and made some payments to lessen the work Monday morning. I didn’t get home until nearly 10. It was good to get it done though. Tomorrow I will fully empty my car, vacuum it out and then set up my bed and be sure it will be comfortable before loading up and being ready to go from work on Monday.
I have made lists and believe I have remembered everything I will need but it has been a while since I have headed West. I haven’t been to the coast since early December 2019!!
I awoke after 11.75 hours finally rested. I hope I was honestly just not feeling well and that it has passed but I will sleep with no alarm for he next two days to be sure. I spent the morning making lists so I don’t forget to bring anything with me. I then went in to the office to do some invoicing for clients and then parked at Rae and Rogers to walk down with Roger and the boys to the Canada Day festivities in Rotary Park. I was glad to make it there in time for the anthem which I sung with pride and as it finished the Freedom convoy in very small numbers walked in but as the MP, MLA, Mayor and our local Chief, all gave speeches there was nary a peep from them and in fact I noticed they quite quickly dissipated into the crowd, only proving their cowardice.
There was good food, good beer, great company, all the makings of a fabulous day. I really just wandered around chatting with and hugging many people over the course of the afternoon. Brass Monkeys was playing to start and as they were nearing the end the sky opened up and pounded down, even hailing at one point. As soon as that started MusicFest Marnée kicked in and I ran to offer help to Keon the sound guy. He was shutting his board down and I ran to grab muscle before unplugging the speakers and having them moved up onto the stage. It was then a quick run round the open stage turning off power bars, moving cords and pedals inward. All was well and there was a bit of a break while the clouds passed over and they could begin setting up for the next band, Pretty for the People. I was completely drenched so I walked up to Raes where I had been invited for a BBQ. I had a plate of food and then we all walked back down to watch the band for a while but I was still damp so headed home. I had a lovely day all in all.
The best part was a good long talk with Chief Joe Pierre from Ktunaxa Nation. I told him how much I appreciated his song and how far it adds to restitution as more people see it doesn’t have to be divisive. We had a good laugh about my being shown a Ktunaxa flag in the museum in Cranbrook UK as he knew the woman who probably gave it to them. I told him my daughter Ashlée took he and his sons portrait for her Mountains of Opportunity photo project and he shared that he set up his zoom background all through Covid with that photo hanging in the background. Sweet.
I binged Keep Sweet Pray and Obey which is quite horrifying. It is a documentary about the FLDS and Warren Jeffs. The atrocities to young women, well women of all ages are hard to stomach. It is a real peek behind the veil of organized religions power and especially of cults who breed their own disciples. I get why they were caught up in it and couldn’t see a way out, nor even desire it. I was very engaged in the born again movement in the 80s and know that the power of belief and faith and the knowledge that you are being led down a righteous path is strong. I still have my personal faith but it will never be one that fits in a church again. I was damaged by it and have chosen to shake off those shackles. These people though, it is all they knew. No contact with anyone or anything outside themselves… some didn’t even know who the president was. Sad. And also shows the power of men over women and other men if they are professing to be speaking on God’s behalf.
I can barely process today to write this as I have felt like I am exhausted and walking through the day like a zombie. One foot in front of the other, one keystroke at a time. I have managed to get all the payroll done for today, the remittances all set to file and pay mid July and even redo some payroll where a client had forgotten to put some of the hours on the timesheet. I also got my billing done thankfully as I need the pay for travel. At 1:30 I picked up Aymo to take him to the airport. We were there 45 minutes before the agent was supposed to be there and had a good visit while we waited. His luggage only cost $100 and he was able to get his card to work. We found out his flight was running late so I waited until his travel partner showed up and Christina from the program before having a big hug and off I went. He told me he had the best rides with me, that his favourite time was driving back from the Drumheller/Calgary trip. I am sure it was at least one of the best and I appreciate he told me.
Thank goodness I had leftovers as now I am off to bed, very early for a night I get to sleep in but that is just how tired I am and I need to catch up in time for MusicFest.
I slogged through my day, bogged down by tired, headache fueled sadness. After finishing the production budget revisions and sending it out, rescheduling MusicFest again for dropped out crew and doing some client work, I took time to make my appointment for armpit and brow waxing. I guess I was even more fragile than I though as I started to tear up and said I wished I was there for a pedicure, not a painful waxing. Ireland immediately pointed out there was an appointment for that with Allison at 4. I jumped at the chance, went back to the office for a bit and then went for a lovely relax. I was calm and happier when I left. She spent a good deal of time fixing Throbby Bobby and I now have sparkling pink toenails. I came home and called Rosie to see if I can stay with her in Sorrento next Monday when I head to the coast. She said yes of course and that Michael and Sarah and their families will be there to visit their parents. I am so excited as I haven’t seen my dear cousins in a long time. What serendipity. I am experiencing allergies likely from all the pollen so I took a prescribed anti-histamine after enjoying a good meal. I hope to sleep it off.
This morning began with resetting my Airbnb for Katheryn and then rushing off to take care of business as I weirdly slept in for 45 minutes. At least I managed to get all I needed to done before my Board meeting at 6:30. Part of the day was taken up by two breaks, one for a bevie with other workers in the building and the other was when I was stopped by a guy I see working there every day who said he noticed my Peru tattoo. Turns out he lived in Lima for a while! Jesse and I had a great long conversation about the places I went and those he did not. It is funny how visitors often see more of a country than people who live there. I was reminded how much joy I had going there and that it is the reason I work so hard, to earn money to see the amazing places on this planet.
I laughed when after he left my office, there appeared a little llama in the search bar and when I clicked it …. Up came Machu Picchu! So, there are no secrets!
The pollen was ridiculous today!
The Board meeting was mostly productive and I am grateful to be part of and to be leaving this team. I feel my time is truly done. I came home having issues breathing, my esophagus was swelling again. I have managed to control my stress level to avoid that for a long time now. What became clear was that it is a PTSD reaction. If I feel not heard or appreciated, it is as if there are hands around my throat again. I have to protect myself from that.. decisions must be made.
Oh boy this was a Monday. I was up and on the treadmill as usual, grateful that I found my Fitbit the other day when my Roomba got stuck under the treadmill. It had been missing for a couple weeks at that point. Yay Roomba Robot zeroing in on it. I spent most of my getting ready time stripping the bed in the camper, cleaning and doing laundry etc. In readiness for the guest coming tonight for one night. Off to work by 10 to get payroll done and answer email questions that had come in over the weekend. I had no multipurpose Marnée skills. Had to put a serious pin in whatever I was doing every time I was interrupted. I admit to finding it becomes more annoying when clients just drop in unannounced especially on a Monday. There is one who does it regularly and never takes the few minutes she thinks it will. Today was 45 minutes just as I was beginning payroll in hopes of getting home early to meet my guest. I did manage to get here before he arrived and I was disappointed that he seemed stand-offish, or grumpy, not sure which. It’s a shame though as he arrived on a bike and it would have been nice to chat. I chose to just make my dinner and let him be. He will be gone by 8 again in the morning. Katheryn is staying indoors in the spare bed tonight and will be back in the camper again tomorrow night. We watched Dr. Strange Multiverse of Madness. I liked it, but am also glad I saw WandaVision.
I heard of another friend from back on Salt Spring passing today. Betsy was always a lot of fun to be around. I have great memories of a New Year’s together at Moby’s Pub. She had a lot of friends and will be missed. They are dropping like flies this last few years. I suppose it’s the age of my peer group, more risk of that.
After going to bed by 9 last night and up just before 7 I am still ready to do the same tonight. I went to bed with a sharp headache and thought I was fine this morning but the old ice pick migraine kicked in again. I have been dealing with it off and on all day so the barometer must be the cause. Tomorrow is another day..
I got to sleep sometime after midnight and did not love my alarm at 3. I threw on clothes and went to Rae-Anne’s to swap vehicles with Roger so all of Golan’s stuff would fit to go to the airport. He and Aymo jumped in and off we went to arrive over 45 minutes before the airport even opened. It seems I had set my time in my calendar correctly for 4 am and wished I hadn’t been talked out of that last night. It was cold so we sat in the truck and watched the sun start to rise over the mountains as the security guard and other employees began to arrive. Finally we could get in and get him in line for the counter to weigh his luggage and check in. As it happened a few of the kids credit/Debit cards did not work. Thankfully there was a stocked ATM and I paid his $275 while he got cash to reimburse me. He and Aymo had a very emotional good-bye. There were long hugs and tears. They definitely became brothers. Mexico and Switzerland are a long way apart.
I dropped Aymo back at Rae’s and got my car, deciding to go to the office and do all my MusicFest prep once and for all. I had planned to this afternoon but knew I would be too tired. I was at my desk by 5:30 and was done by noon. I even went to Staples and printed the larger sized list we needed and had them laminated before coming home. It was really healing up and I needed to finish prepping for Katheryn’s return tonight as well as get laundry done and on the line. I then came in and ate my leftovers and crashed on the couch. I didn’t want to sleep though as it could mess up my sleep patterns so I watched Umbrella Academy and rested. Late afternoon Tracey invited me to her deck next door for a beer. It is 31 C according to my outdoor thermometer and again I am so grateful for the AC, these rapid changes are crazy. The lack of sleep also leaves me feeling like I have a hangover
It was too hot to stay out for long so I came in and puttered some more, watched my show and now it is 7:45 and I am ready for bed. I am enjoying the pretty flowers the boys bought me. Very thoughtful of them.
triumphgal 