I had set an alarm just in case but as it happens, there was no need. I was up and showered and ready for our monthly ABC’s zoom gaggle. Not everyone was able to make it this time … oh my Lord, just as I was about to type here that The Hearnden’s missed knowing we had a time change and couldn’t make the session, my Google Home out of no where started playing a funky version of the Winnie the Poo song . They are the ones who took me to the 100 Acre Wood in the UK. It was honestly one of my best days, but I really didn’t need Google to start reading my mind now!
The Zoom was great as always. Poor Colleen shared pictures of the newly lowered shrubbery in her yard after I inquired about the final results of the terrible winter storm they were hit with in Oregon. Such devastation. We spoke of jabs or lack of them, Ruth’s Hyperbaric Chamber appointments, Carol-Anne and my similar jobs doing mystery shopping, Lynda’s non-cancerous nose, the soon to be closed New Mexico senate (?) and North Vietnam. There is such a wealth of experience in this group that there is always something interesting to share or hear about. I like this monthly check in, honestly never thought I would but I do.
Yesterday I had asked the Campbell’s to come for dinner as they are in the middle of a major kitchen renovation and we hadn’t all gotten together in a long time. I took meat out of the freezer and got busy finishing the kitchen, just ready to have Danny do the trim. The wallpaper turned out better than I had hoped. It is so sturdy and stuck well. I am pretty pleased with it and decided to accept all the beautiful compliments Diane gave when they got here.
Sean, Diane and Zoë came for dinner. I really deked out by preparing frozen Macaroni and cheese, chicken thighs and beef sausages in the oven. We enjoyed a good framily meal together and then Diane and I played a game of Patchwork while Sean and Zoë watched Futurama. Diane won as usual!
After that we played three handed crib for a couple games before it was time for them to go home to make beds ready. Was fun to hang together again. I settled into sorting for a new puzzle and watching Crazy, Not Insane on Crave. It is an interesting documentary about serial killers. It amazes me that the woman the movie is about has been able to stomach all of the details she has dealt with.
Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing that went wrong with this day. It was simply made up of too many hats, too many plates in the air and too many people with questions. I appreciate that they all need me and I want to please them all. When all cheques are signed, data entered, the last email and phone message responded to, when that 3 hour and 3 minute call to CRA and the 2 hour streaming course on streaming is completed, when you have made sure the money is in the bank, all you can do is…
..take on a mystery shop at a Cannabis store!
It was interesting and I was earnestly able to ask about the different products. A wee purchase later and I was in the Dairy Queen drive through before heading home.
I have placed no more expectations on myself for this week. I am plain and simply done. I don’t want to do anything at all tonight except sit here and watch my shows. I want to take a respite from the whole world, but instead I will allow myself this moment. (I know , I take them regularly)
I returned my Johanne Fluevogs today as the right foot was too tight in an unusual way and Patrick said I could. Once they reach Toronto I will be given a credit as they were sale items and in Vancouver at the first store on Granville where I bought my first two pairs decades ago is a gorgeous hot pink pair of Dr. Henry’s set aside in my size. They should arrive in time for my birthday in the middle of the pandemic still.. perfection!
I was in a good mood hen I got home and had the doors open, letting the fresh air in as I ripped off all of the faux tile I had installed in the kitchen. My guess that the ones I bought from the neighbour across the street may not have been stored properly was likely true as the section of ones I purchased were the hardest to remove and many others were already curled and released. I am so thankful I found this amazing mildew resistant washable wallpaper from England and was able to order it through Wayfair. I got the paste and brush through Amazon and Keri lent me a smoother. I have never used paper that wasn’t needing to be soaked in water and applied. This was so much easier and the paper is such good quality that I am thrilled how it went. I used the panel door with the original damage as a work station. Upside down it worked perfectly. I made it two thirds of the way round before it was time to relax. I love it so much. When I first put up the tile I was happy with it but when I sat on the couch all I could see was the imperfections. Now I look over and am quite chuffed. It is very 60s which I love and matches my light and colours perfectly. I will finish the rest this weekend and Danny will be here to do the trim work next weekend. He also suggested I get a furnace quote from the place he works as the $7K I was quoted seemed high to him. I also approached the other company before Christmas and still no furnace.
While I was busy removing the tile, Danika messaged to see if I wanted to meet her and Emmy at the park. I did and we all had a great visit. That was also how I found out Jake is coming for Emmy’s 4th birthday Easter Monday. I called him and he will stay here, yay!
Brett brought his new daughter to work today and it is always interesting to see all the Moms get Googly over a baby. I think I am not that way as a rule because I have sensed ‘issues’ in peoples kids before and it is awkward. When I do have a child in my arms though I am usually the baby whisperer. It’s quite the conundrum.
Love her llama shirt
Jamie, the past and acting president of the Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society came by the office today and we had a great discussion about the bookkeeping and all other things Treasurer related. I went and paid for a Post Office Box so that things don’t go to his rural address any more. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the easily overlooked ones. I am glad to serve. I look forward to us presenting music again soon.
Yesterday I was grateful that someone I had been in contact let me know that they woke up with a fever and had taken a Covid test. I tried hard to not stress about it but I was very concerned for two reasons.. they have a chronic condition and I was scheduled for a long awaited ultrasound today. Fortunately for both of us, later this evening I was informed the test came back negative. I was able to honestly tell them at the hospital that I have not been in contact with a confirmed case and get my test. The radiologist (?) was lovely and made it comfortable to go through. He also answered any questions I had but I didn’t ask if there was anything scary. It was a bit unnerving when he moved up from the mass behind my bladder to check both my kidneys and then decided he needed to do an internal ultrasound. I got ready while he called in another professional so there were not just two of us in the room. I must say the full internal tour today was pretty cool and also amazing to me that they can see anything and diagnose from it. All in all it took over a half an hour and it will take a couple days for results I was told. Once again I will try to stay off the anxiety wagon and hope I hear something before the weekend. The woman called in, Candace, had a good laugh with me when I was offered to put the wand in myself but I said it would feel much more clinical if he did it. In times of physical vulnerability, I always default to random jokes. I am grateful to our medical system though.
Struggling today, even hit snooze for an hour and didn’t get on my treadmill for the first workday since Feb first. During the day I became so overwhelmingly tired that I sat in my chair and snoozed for ten minutes. I ate three meals and drank water and got work done but I am having a day. I strangely had no emotional response to getting a message that someone I had contact with recently has a fever today and went for a swab. I have a promise to be kept in the loop and I have not been close to anyone since seeing them. That is all fine as long as I wasn’t a carrier. I would be horrified if I shared something bad. I will continue to distance, as always use my mask and hand sanitizer and be as always, locked away in my office, car and home. I was going to have the carpenter come this week but will wait until I hear the results.
Ever have one of those days when you just want to press pause and not experience anything at all for a while?
On the up side I claimed over 24K in subsidies today so, there’s that
So often I worry how much I should be worried about the weight on my chest. Today I have been struggling. I worked and got as much done as I could, came home and made dinner, cleaned up my cat’s vomit of undigested food and have been sitting on the couch gurgling. I am going to take an antihistamine and go to bed.
the great part of today was that I was still pretty zen and relaxed after my lovely weekend away. I really do wish they would test somehow to see if I had something that caused this. I know the struggle grinds down my state of mind. And like this time last year, I could barely keep my eyes open at work. If it is seasonal, I’d like to know what the cause is.
These ladies at the workspace do manage to amuse me though, when their loud crazy personalities don’t distract and annoy me that is! Ha-ha!
Had a delicious sleep in the ultimate guest room. Awoke refreshed and ready to get on with the day. Of course Pam made a full spread breakfast following The best coffee thanks to Al! They also introduced me to hash browns in a carton from Costco and sent me home with a case. So easy and sooooo delicious! It was hard to say good bye but off I went with a plan to to Trail via Nance Greene Provincial Park and Rossland to use more gas along the way. I remember always being so thrilled to drive through Rossland on the way to Kimberley as a kid because they used to have cross country skis crossed on the streetlamp poles. I though it was soooo cool.
Did my gas stop review in Waneta, on the outskirts of Trail. The lady there was so happy when I told her she was the first one to do all the right things. I love making people happy! From there I had only a short drive into Fruitvale to my client’s house where I stopped to trade paperwork. It was lovely to see his home and meet his wife and one of his children.
Next was Salmo where I was fortunate to have enough room to purchase the requisite fuel. When I was done I went to the attached Subway and got lunch. The young man there was lovely and we talked about how to lose weight when our work lives seem to fight against it. It is possible to make small connections if we look for them.
I worried the whole time driving to Creston that I had no room to put first 10 and then 5 dollars of gas in my tank. I pulled up to the pump and a woman pulled up on the other side. There was a rather awkward moment as I asked if I could but her $10 of gas, no strings, pay it forward if she felt like it. I don’t think she believed me but I went in and paid for her and when I came out she said I made her day. that was all it took.. ten dollars… I may just do that more often.
As I drove I kept asking Siri to make list to remind me of my thoughts. I randomly stopped and took pictures and all of that is randomly below..
Part of the fun was paying attention to signs for interesting, clever and or amusing business names such as.. Sleep is for Sissies Café, A Man and His Dolly Moving Company, 2 Scoop Steve’s and 2 Pump Paul’s.
I once again listened to my own music collection all day and I am still blown away by the variety and the breath of genres and levels of popularity and greatness. Music just makes me so happy and touches so many memories.
Interestingly, I noted in a few places the last three days that behind the roadside row of trees there was what looked like a Christmas tree farm all properly laid out. I realize now it was probably clear cut and then deforested by tree planters. Beautiful in its own way.
I passed through so many beautiful little towns on this three day loop. Many of them I would be interested in living in. If I knew I could make a circle os support and friends I would live anywhere this gorgeous province has to offer. I have always thought we were being a bit pretentious saying we are the most beautiful place on earth.. but maybe we are pretty close.
Animals, I didn’t see many but when I did! The first was a herd of Turkeys along Kootenay Lake. Oh I know it is a rafter or a flock but these were so big they were definitely a herd. Unfortunately there was no place to pull over to take a picture that first day on the road. Today as I was pacing Moyie bluffs I spotted a herd of Elk. I did pull over to take a couple pictures but was baffled that there were no antlers so I reached out to my hunter kids to ask. Seems they lose their antlers each year! Fancy that.
Finally made it home, before dark.. thanks to the time change. The weird part is last night going to bed to tonight settling at home there is a two hour difference due to the time zone change and the Spring Ahead part. Not sure if I am tired or not! Watching the Grammies and winding down as I wait for my cat to come in. She was seemingly happy to see me, came in and ate, had a snuggle and then cried to to go out and hasn’t come back in yet.
As I reflect on the weekend I once again have to be grateful that somewhere along the way I have been the kind of friend to earn the kind of friends I have. To live my life mostly as an open book and to have people who hold their privacy as sacrosanct share delightful memories and photos, stories of their pasts and welcome me into their inner circle is something I will always hold dear and respect and be grateful for.
Today I saw a Facebook post alluding to another death on Salt Spring Island. I started receiving personal messages from various people letting me know who it was. This kind and wonderful soul, Thomas Brainerd is no longer with us. I believe he is just turned 40. Far too young and leaving a young family behind, such a sad sad loss.
The day began in intervals during the night and ultimately I may have gotten 3 hours sleep. I forgot a piece of my CPAP machin ta home and couldn’t use it… sigh. Tonight in Slocan Valley however, Alan has engineered the perfect fix…
My friend made me waffles this morning and we played “you play me yours and I’ll play you mine. Dueling playlists between smart items. After I was ready to leave we played and completed a section of our most played game. I love the laughter and the jumping around upon winning (the characters that is) It was hard to say see you soon when you don’t know when that will be again. Good friends are good at that though.
There was so much beauty and so little traffic today that I was able to make quick stops and get some awesome pictures. There is nothing but gorgeous driving through the Kootenays so you can only feast it in and I am so grateful for the Change of scenery, literally.
Slocan Lake
Silver ton
I love when I experience synchronicity and today it happened as Small Glories song Johnson Slide came up in my playlist and just as there was reference to Kaslo, I see ahead a road sign with it’s name on it!
As always I have had lots of thoughts this trip and I plan to share them soon but for now I am wafting on the joy of the incredible hospitality at the Layard’s. An amazing Sunday roast with Yorkies on a Saturday, complete with cherry cheesecake, delicious red wine and just the right amount of fun and conversation around the backyard fire pit nicely distanced. I truly am blessed to pick up these side jobs that allow me to see friends that I haven’t seen since their daughters wedding in May 2019. And now to sleep, perchance Not to dream
What an incredible day to have to head up around Kootenay Lake for work. I do Mystery Shopper gigs and was recruited to do 2 places in Creston, and 1 each in Kaslo, Nakusp, Trail and Salmo. Today I manage to do one in Creston and the one in Kaslo. I found the fruit trees in Creston interesting this time of year as they seem to be shaped for picking.As it happens my car is too economical and I didn’t have room to put the amount of gas required in. the weather was lovely and the tunes were great. I stopped for a quick picture and came to realize I was stuck following a semi with a load of building supplies. It is a lovely windy road along the lake but not so great when you can’t pass. I made it to Crawford Bay at 2:15 to find the ferry had left at 2 and the next as not until 3:40. It was beautiful though and I went and sat by the water for a while. If it weren’t for the fatc there was no smell of salt air I would think I was looking at the ocean. I took the time call the optometrist and let them know my glasses did not come with tinting as they were supposed to . They are ordering a new pair. I am curious what they will do with my current ones.
It really did feel like old times from my vantage point. I made it up to Kaslo and did the shop there before heading to my friend’s home where he’d prepped for a feast of home made pizza. It was so great to have good food, good laughs, a great evening of games and most of all hugs, endless hugs, just what a body needed. The pie was a hit, phew!
I did enjoy the ice cubes!!
All in all it was a lovely day and I was thrilled to have time to listen to my tunes, a massive collection of randomness.
I think my wee suitcase may be happy to be on a journey finally as well
One year ago today the Province of BC via Dr Bonnie Henry announced that the World Health Organization had declared a Pandemic. Today I watched Dr Bonnie choke up and be unable to continue for the moment during her press conference. She must be exhausted. She and Adrian Dix have been the face of all of this for BC for a year now. 11 days later I decided I was unable to trust in the system of my employers and moved home to work. The bonus today was the relaxing of restrictions to allow gatherings of 10 outside. Emmys birthday is Easter Monday so I suggested to Rae that we have a Sunday Easter hunt and birthday party. It will be 12 with Ashlée and I but 7 are in Rae’s family so I feel we will still meet the criteria.
I have become a judgy cow. I am aware as I speak or think unkind things. I need to put my filters back in place, think before I speak, or rather stop thinking about other people’s business. I called a co-worker tonight to apologize and own my stuff. Of course she was kind and let me off easy.
Today was a lot of volunteer stuff again. But I got enough done to be ok with going away for the next three days. I am prepped for my jobs to do, have even contacted a client in Fruitvale to stop at his house on Sunday and drop paperwork as well as pick up the next round. I have done 4 tax returns so far and all were refunds. I like to tell people they are getting money back.
I came home from work and decided I had a mission to get some projects finished before I leave tomorrow so I took the time to reinstall my ceiling fan to flush mount. I admit to cursing and talking to it. It was heavy and hard and it took many tries to get it mounted but it is now and I think it is wonderful.
And then I decided that Gage needs a pie. I seem to remember that he loves pie so I made a Green Apple pie. It was satisfying to do so.
7 years ago today I began working full time for the Bella Bella Community School Board. 4 years ago I awoke to a large dump of snow that required a snowblower here in Cranbrook. That same day I received a letter that I was accepted into the Bachelors program at the local college. Today I remember all I learned and experienced living in a First Nation, I am grateful for small flurries and no snow on the ground, and realize I don’t need a degree to have what I have and feel successful.
I was reminded this morning that yesterday was the anniversary of the release of the U2 album The Joshua Tree. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the effet it has had on my life. I even got a tattoo to signify how much this album moved me.
I have always joked that some day this would’nt be my favourite song. I suspect however that I will go to my grave wondering what I will miss. I was born with a sense of FOMO.
I had a most extraordinary experience today meeting with the electrician who will be doing the work in our theatre renovation. I was able to say, this is on my dream wish list and he can make it happen. It’s a Tech Directors wet dream. He suggested I look on Pinterest and find my dream booth and let him know. It was funny as we took about 10 minutes before we were speaking the same language and he was calling me Marn. Made me laugh inside. I really want this project to be my legacy after all the drama and issues out of my control in the past. Another thing I had to do today was write a cheque to transfer the money for the grant to our investment account. It was so strange to have to think how to write in longhand 178000.00 Our President, Peter picked up the cheque to go invest it.
The Tech Director position has been challenging as I have no capacity to retain how to run and program all the equipment. I do however have a great ability to see a finished project and was able to point out all the wee things that add up to a theatre to be envied going forward. We will be wired and set for decades to come. It isn’t all about me, it is just my gift to guess what we will need going forward and my ability to communicate well with sub trades. Bonus, prior career building houses. I serve the future and am grateful for the money coming in to make these changes when the theatre is at rest.
I am going on an adventure for work the day after tomorrow and will be staying with a friend on Friday night who values his privacy more than anything else so going forward I will only be referring to his pseudonym, Gage Blackwood. This will allow me to tell my tales without infringing. Truth be told, he has a great personality and I want to shout from the rooftops all he is to me. I shall however respect his wishes and likely barely check in Friday night as I will be playing games and enjoying his company.
I called my Dr yesterday because I woke up to painful abrasions under my breasts from the Mammogram. I was told she was booked up for two weeks but when I mentioned what was hurting the receptionist said she would message my Dr and get back to me. I was called this morning to come in at 3:10 which I did and I was blessed by her caring and reassurance. She told me to put Zinc ointment on and it would heal. I laughed when she said it is like Frank’s Red Hot, she puts that (blank) on everything.
I have been dealing off and on with a complicated client and I guess I stayed calm and competent as she called and asked me to take on one of her portfolios until her new employee is up to speed. We were musing over the fact that there are so few good bookkeepers out there. The last one she had overstated their credentials. I have always said just because you bought a tool belt doesn’t mean you can call yourself a carpenter. So many people think buying software and doing data entry makes you a bookkeeper. I stopped being offended by that and am comfortable in my ability to keep learning and do what I do.
Rae-Anne and I went to Boston Pizza for Pasta Tuesday. We both ordered the same dish: Chicken Mushroom Fettuccine. This is what showed up…
Not sure how mine had all the mushrooms and hers had all the tomatoes. Was tasty though. And it was nice to be out together. Funny that we both found it kid noisy though.
After work I returned to Safeway to pick up my prescription for an antihistamine that has found to help when my inflammation is at it’s worst. Dr S was very encouraging about my lifestyle changes. She said the exercise and Dryish Feb and small changes along the way will be rewarding in the long run and to avoid and serious diets. I used my gift cards that I bought for Gene’s fundraiser and stocked up on groceries. My favourite find was yogurt on sale… called my name, it did.
I sold my old ceiling fan for $5 on the bid wars site. Pretty sure one of the three bulbs is worth that but it was bought by someone I have sold to in the past and am glad she can make use of it as hers broke down. I still haven’t raised my new one up to flush mount but will soon. I just noticed that my Christmas cactus is getting ready to bloom again. It is always so gorgeous when it does. Something else to look forward to!
I believe my kid’s are raising an amazing next generation. Emmy is strong and self aware and caring, and big picture, like her Dad was at that age. The boys are generous and caring and giving. Gene at nearly 14, standing taller than I, asks if he can give me a hug, masks up and doesn’t let go until I do. Tonight after barely settling in after work there was a knock at the door and I opened it to a grinning 9 year old William holding a beautiful plant and wishing me a Happy International Women’s Day Nana! Close on his heals were Lukas and Sawyer with big love hugs to give. I am grateful for them. And that I was one of their choices to gift.
Earlier in the day I got an email that my replacement panel sliding door had arrived. There was a patch on one of them so the store reordered for me. Sean took me to pick it up and like last time we had a good laugh at the lack of common sense. There were no mirrors involved. They were packaged and crated as if there were though, complete with fragile signs etc. This time they uncrated it for us at the store thankfully.
I liked the hand written sign on a chest in Home Depot. Nice gesture
Had a bookkeeper’s win today. I took on a new client for a personal tax return and upon reviewing his prior year so as not to miss anything, I noted his last year was incorrect. I filed this years and got him an extra 1500.00 from last years. As I was leaving the office at 5:40 he and his family showed up with a bottle of Vanilla Crown. Sweet moment!
Can I just say, I love Harry and Meghan. I started watching the Oprah interview this morning, and finished it this evening, grateful that the radio didn’t spoil it as it was a hot topic all day. I was moved several times and admire their relationship. They are classy. They are straight up. And they are having a girl!!! I look forward to finding out what my UK pals think. I also learned that they live in Santa Barbara! May be time for a visit..
I had a great sleep as I chewed a gummy before an early tuck-in last night. Slept until 9 and then was up and making plans for what to do next on my kitchen reno. I worked on the crazy Cats puzzle and then got ready as I had a mammogram at 1 at the hospital. It was odd to shower but not put on deodorant or lotion or anything. The whole process was simple. Had to just think nothing of a strange woman touching my breasts and arranging me just so as the plate clamps me to the contraption. It’s just a regular scheduled one since the last was in 2018. The one before was in a van (motor home)in a gravel parking lot in Bella Bella. I was thrilled to find free parking at the hospital for a change. On the way home from that I stopped at Home Depot and picked up a ceiling fan on sale and some panels to cover the stretch of ugly in the ceiling. Roger then met me there later to pick up primed wall board which we took to his place and cut to size for the wall above the counter and the ends of the cabinet. I came home and after eating decided I would install the fan. It looks great but when I got down off the ladder I realized I should not have used the down rod so tomorrow night I will I install it flush. I do really like it though. It has 3 wind speeds and 3 types of LED lighting, bright, warm and daylight as well as dims. After spending so much time working over my head I was worn out. Am now on season 7 of SHIELD as season 6 was shorter than the previous ones. I can see that the series needed to end as the time jumping stuff is getting silly. Must see it to the end though.
Oh and chocolate whiskey is delicious over ice… just saying.
I was in bed so early last night that I woke early. I sat with my coffee slowly working on the challenging puzzle and watching WandaVision and the YouTube Easter Egg videos. I am sad the show is over as it was very good and entertaining. At some point Rae messaged me that I was invited to her Dad’s with them for late lunch and to bring my side pork from the freezer. That is what we call the delicious bacon sliced from a large slab of pork belly. Bill BBQs it and although not terribly healthy it is delicious. The kids all played together outside and we had a great visit. Roger came home with me to assist with taking down my upper cupboard. I am glad I did as there is some strangeness happening in the ceiling and wall. I think I shall put plates over the electrical outlets and put new panel on the wall and some decorative tiles along the ceiling. I will have to go to Home Depot to see what they have.
When I checked my mail yesterday there was a prepaid postage card to send out. Canada Post put one in every mailbox. I went through the top of the recycle bin near our super box and grabbed a couple more. I sat and wrote them this morning. As I went to drop them at the Post Office boxes I saw another laying on the ground and sat in my car to write it out as well. I love getting happy mail so thought 4 other people may as well.
Enjoyed a break with Keri today, doing a little day drinking. Then everyone was gone and I was at my desk as always. It was my choice though, wanted to get ahead. Got home to notice there are things popping up in one of my gardens. Spring is coming. Made something to eat and started the last puzzle I haven’t done. I gave it to my Mom years ago. Pretty sure it’s been done by someone but my oh my it’s challenging. Too tired tonight, will see what I can do tomorrow.
This morning started out as usual on the treadmill which I will pat myself on the back for doing every week day since February 1st. Good habits have formed. Just as I was finishing I received an incoming Video message and it was 9 year old Will in a spiffy button up shirt. It was his Concour day at French Immersion school. He practiced on me and I was able to pick up enough of what he said due to his clear accent and timing to know it was about his dog Obi. He was so cute and I wished him well. By the end of the day his mom let us know he won a Gold Medal for his presentation!
Terrible screen shot, he was much more handsome than this
I was so happy when I got word that my friends in England received the book I made. They loved it and I love them, win win. Maybe tomorrow I will share bits of my copy with you. I am too tired now as I had an emotional day and became obsessed with finishing my puzzle once I got home. I was glad it was marked on the box that there was one missing. It is sad when you get to the end to realize the piece you were looking for all along just wasn’t there at all.
Something occurred some time ago now that had the means to damage my reputation and lose me friends. Today I dealt with a phone call that stirred up all the emotions around that again and I had to finally reach out to my Ashlée this evening to talk through it all. She has a good perspective and knows exactly what I need to do to let it go and remember that those who love me, love me and I can’t worry about those who don’t. And as the book reminds me, I am well loved, around the world!
I did take time to get my eyebrows done professionally for the first time in over a year and I got a pedicure. She removed the last of the polish that had been put on less than two weeks before I broke my toe and had the nail sewn back on turning it into Throbby Bobby. Ireland, the young lady who did the work created a lovely bit of colour even on Bobby so I will be able to see the growth. It was nice to relax and chat.
It seems like some days have their own plan for me. I started out doing regular things and ended up saying no and can we reconnect tomorrow to too many people. I had a surprise request from a company to help with their year end adjustment entries and GST filing. 5.5 hours later, barely stopping to eat my sub and I was done. The problem was I was logged in to their desktop so I couldn’t really take a break, just had to get it done. And it was weird knowing she could watch as I was doing it. The stranger thing was I could see her email notifications pop up and I saw one from the name partner at the first big firm I worked for in Richmond. I texted the client to mention I had worked for him in the past and then it just was weird as I would see the pop ups with the beginning of responses from him but she must have been answering from her phone as I was on her desktop. Not once, but twice I saw him say that I was quite the character but a great bookkeeper, lol. I choose to take that as a positive. Apparently I have managed to keep my quirky personality along the way. High praise indeed from a Board Member of CGA Canada. Funny the way life shows you degrees of separation.
I made it in time for my nail appointment, the second one in a year. As I am going to see Mark, I had M put on both hands in tribute 🙂
I have found I am less likely to reach out once I am home. It is like I have shields up against communication from the outside. I know that makes some friends feel hurt but ask my Mom, we don’t even communicate very often, I have always been this way. It was easier pre 2007. I am just so concentrated on being connected during the day that I have to draw a line. So I come home to my cat and my puzzles…
The day held a heaviness I could neither figure out, nor shake. I am pretty sure it relates to the pain of others. So many people in my circle are hurting emotionally or physically at the moment, I think I carry some of it with me. I wanted to nap all day.
First thing this morning I read a post about a young man I met through my son. He now lives in my daughter’s suite. I did not know his back story. I remember a horrible situation a decade ago when a toddler drowned in a bathtub. The woman looking after her was charged and went to jail. It turns out that was Isaiah’s mom. He shared a link to a story in the paper and a documentary that shows she was wrongly accused of causing the death. At the time it all happened he was only 10 and had younger sisters. They ended up in foster care as she had to go to jail after admitting guilt or face life in prison. There is an investigation currently into the extreme failings in the case. I feel for every one in this situation except the person who did the autopsy and stuck to their mistake. In spite of it all Isaiah is a lovely young man striving to be his best. I sent him a message telling him if he ever needs a Nana moment, I am here for him.
I did get a great call this afternoon that the theatre had received another grant we’d applied for from Columbia Basin Trust. I am one happy Tech Director now that we have 13000.00 to put towards new sound and streaming equipment and more lights. The best investment though will be a communication system so he stage manager doesn’t have to run up and down three flights of stairs from the stage to the dressing rooms. I am so incredibly blown away by the hard work Maureen and Peter put in to get us money that is out there for the taking. If it is turned down, Maureen just tweaks what was incorrect and tries again. So incredibly grateful for her and Peter.
Yesterday Ashlée had reached out about a potential Mystery shopping tour through the east Kootenay. I guess she decided no and suggested to the recruiter I do it. Christina reached out to me and I returned her cal today. After much discussion and negotiation for remuneration I decided to do it. The missions all have to be completed by the 15th. I planned my route which would necessitate an overnight somewhere. The first request was a lunch meet on Saturday the 13th with my friend in Kaslo and then I reached out to my friends in the Slocan Valley to see if they would be comfortable with me staying with them that night. They of course said YES and I was so happy. They are in an out of the way part of the world and I am able to be safe until I see them so it all works out, especially since travelling for work is allowed. After I contacted my Mark we texted back and forth and I am going to leave on the Friday now and stay at his place. Couch or air mattress, I don’t care, I am just so excited to see him. He is my Sackboy and it has been far too long. To have a platonic friend that makes me laugh, stimulates good conversation and appreciates the little crazy things in life is a blessing. It will be an evening of Board Games and fun. I can’t wait. What a wonderful way to end my day, with tears of joy, and anticipation of a mini working holiday.
triumphgal 