When out of nowhere your 3 year old granddaughter FaceTimes you to read her new book to her, nothing else can possibly matter. She was wearing a beautiful dress and was thrilled it matched my earrings. She is OneinEmelia all right. I can’t wait to have sleepovers again soon. I may ask Rae-Anne if she is comfortable with Sawyer coming at the same time. I think the Little ones are missing as much as the seniors in their homes. Two ends of the spectrum, equally missing the world they once knew and the one they should come to know.
I spent time before my Theatre Board meeting working on entering my own books for the past year. Cobbler’s kids go without shoes is how the saying goes. There is a lot of truth in that. I am often scrambling to get mine and my families done. There is a lot of experience and some fine minds on our Board. events in the last while have left feeling hurt and more challenges to face. I have faith in us rising above and continuing to bring Art to the Locals, near and far (advantage streaming). I do wish we were allowed social time as I think that would help. A good old work party and potluck solves many things.
My new driver’s license arrived on Friday but I actually liked at it closely today and it’s not horrible. I know, I know, high praise indeed.. everyone hates their DL and Passport photos, but I have mastered the art of making my eyes smile when you aren’t allowed to smile. It was strange to see class 5 & 6 instead of 4 & 6. I have had the latter since I was 24 I think, when I got it for search and rescue and driving the crew bus for the railroad. Over the years I have driven school buses for company tours and other interesting vehicles for pay. It cost a lot more than a regular car license and now I also have to get a medical every year which costs more all the time. The passing of another milestone in the aging process, realizing when it is time to let go.
I picked up my new glasses and will start wearing them tomorrow. I like them and have to come to terms with the fact that those smiling eyes come with smile lines now!!
The software programmers at QuickBooks are clever. There were some issues today and the messages were amusing
After work I made some dinner, finished my puzzle and started dissembling the upper cupboard beside the front door. I took off the microwave shelf and then got up on a ladder and had a look. I don’t know what it is hiding but I can see patchwork on the wall and ceiling. It has now become a bigger job but I will figure it out. My usual method is to just let it stew for a bit until something settles as just right. I did arrange for the new furnace to be installed on Thursday so I will have to remove the bathroom vanity on Wednesday night. They will bump into the bathroom more so it doesn’t stick out in the hall at all. It’s a very big expense as I am putting one in that is super efficient and is ready to have an AC unit attached. The good thing is there is a $2000 rebate available. It will just take a while to get from what it says on the website.
I had my last physio appointment for a while. My ear crystals seem to have stayed in place and the work on my neck and popped rib has really improved my quality of life. Mark Johnson is really great and has a lovely personality as well. It has been expensive though as my benefits only pay 20 of the 75 dollars. I wish they would just cover 5 or 6 visits a year in full. Ah well, I have the luxury of going, I shouldn’t complain.
Had a good long sleep and then got a message from Danny that he could come at some point this afternoon to see the scope of work at my place. I decided I need to hire a finisher. I hate doing trim and am sure it will stay unfinished at this rate. The bathroom job will take two as well and there will be drywalling involved which I swore I would never do again. He said what I did so far looks really good. He can’t be available for a couple weeks and only in the evenings but that’s ok. We will get it done.
It has been very windy today. Gusting and rumbling and banging. My cat goes in and out, never staying gone for long. I ran across the street to give Tracey a bottle of wine as a going away gift. She is moving away next weekend. That was the extent of my exercise and outdoors today. I seem obsessed with puzzles and S.H.I.E.L.D. I am into season 4 now. I have been thinking about all the things I have to get done in the next week. There is much to do but nothing that gives pressure and stress like I have dreaded in February’s of the past. That is the biggest advantage of being my own boss. I feel in control of my own workload and that relieves most of the stress.
I worked on a puzzle Diane lent me. I nearly finished it but have to go to bed, will do the rest tomorrow night. I just realized that I have not put the reports up online for the Community Theatre Board meeting on Tuesday night. I will gave to get on it in the morning.
I am am just going to blog early tonight as I want to be relatively on the ball. I have once again spent my Saturday as I please, watching my shows, puzzling and doing chores in between. I woke up running work through my head and spent hours trying to relax and not feel guilty about anything on the to do list. Part of the problem is I feel and fight guilt at saying no to anything anyone asks of me if I have time available. Some would see puzzling all morning as a luxury but they don’t live in my brain. They don’t know that my balance and happiness and competency relies heavily on this down time. It is why I have taken a break from the renovation. I need to experience time when there is no pressure. I can tell when there is pressure as I want to drink and I have trouble with the inflammation in my voice box which feels like I can’t breath. Last night was the first time in my Dryish February that I wanted to drink, my mouth was actually watering but I made it through. I was especially assisted in that as Keri had donated to the Cancer society on my behalf. It gave me the strength to make it past last night. Now. To be clear, I drank this evening, but that was the plan all along and why I signed up for 21 days. I allowed myself Saturday nights to have a bevie. I know that if I am going to have any social time that is when it will be. And so it was, I drove to Rae-Anne’s and we walked down to the heid out for dinner. It is our spot. I had an expensive Halibut meal that did not disappoint and Siren Pinot noir which I enjoy. We had great conversation and good food. Along our walk home we stopped at a Cannabis Shop in the core of town. Now I will say, this is something I have never expected to do with Rae as I am the previously chronic smoker in the family and they.. well, not so much. The young man was helpful and I bought some gummies and he gave me some rolling papers that I actually went in for. I was looking for a good old fashioned metal pipe but he had none. We continued on our walk back to Rae’s and my car and she suggested we go to another spot in town which I had heard favourable reviews of . As it turns out they were right. Jimmy’s is the bomb. I did pick up a silicone pipe and some more gummies. I will give them both a try and see which I prefer. It still feels weird to go into a store and it cost 7.99 for 10 mg of gummies…. but really , comparatively it is about the same as one drink at the bar. I am trying the purchase from the first place and shall see what difference it makes to my evening. I am not sure it will be a fait report as I already had wine so we shall see. stand by 🙂
Oh and my cat has gone crazy. She plays like a kitten. Out of nowhere she run and skids across the floor, her favourite toy all morning was a paper clip. I guess she is happy..?
The day started out with a paper spree. Maureen came and shopped through all the boxes of paper and card stock that was being given away by one of my clients. I love seeing stuff find a purpose and the Community Theatre will make good use of it. The rest of it is going to a day care for crafting.
There were conflicting days in my world, Flannel Friday, Fabulous Friday and Camo Friday. As I own no camo I went for Fabulous Fluevog Friday. I was dreaming about sunny days and riding so I threw on my boots and comfy clothes. I was going to polish my boots but realized that the dirt on them was from MusicFest and it was bittersweet. I left them that way. I love how footwear changes my walk, my mood, my attitude. I felt kick butt today and could have taken on the world.
In the afternoon I had to go sign on to a client’s account at RBC. On my way in I noticed a young woman in only a hoodie and thin pants sitting on the sidewalk against the wall. It was windy and barely above zero. When I came out she was still there and I went to my car across the street hoping to find a pair of gloves. I did have a blanket so I called across the street asking if she wanted it and she said yes, please, with a big smile. A little old lady with a cane saw the interaction and offered to get her a coffee. I got back to the office and messaged my friend Kevin in Bella Bella to tell him the story. You see I wouldn’t always tell others when I have done a good deed but the blanket was a gift from Kevin and his Mom, Arlene, who has since died, was a dear friend and mentor when I lived up there. When I left and moved to Cranbrook she sent me a wonderful care package. The bowls I use at work, a gorgeous heart themed tea set, a table runner that fits on my new island perfectly and the blanket. Kevin was pleased to hear from me and know they were part of what I call a love ripple. One small act had an effect on more than one person. My joy at that was probably even more than that of the recipient. Special K and I swapped pictures out our office windows. He is part if what I miss from my time there.
A scary thing happened today. My friend Dallas’s 8 year old son was in the back seat of his Dad’s pick up at a gas station on Vancouver island when a woman jumped in and drove away. Wyatt calmly repeated let me out until she did and then ran back to the gas station. She returned the truck an hour later and is being treated at hospital. There are addiction issues. So grateful Wyatt is who he is and handled it so well.
Much to be grateful for today including that I am done all my Must do February work with the exception of one batch of slips waiting for 2 SIN to file on Monday. It is most extraordinary to be enjoying such a pace. Getting lots done, calmly
I have been getting up still to walk on my treadmill and watch Shameless. It really does help me to get up and on with my day but I may have to start going to bed earlier. The problem with that is I didn’t even get home until after 9 and then I had to eat and I didn’t want to just go to sleep. I did get a great deal taken care of today though. Started with FaceTiming with Sawyer and then going with Rae-Anne to Walmart to point out the things he liked so she could get them from his brothers. I couldn’t resist a new puzzle either.
After that I went to the post office to mail off a book. Holy, postage is expensive but I don’t trust couriers right now. From there I headed to the Car audio shop where I had my remote starter installed and got them to program it back to working. Ever since I couldn’t start the car and got a jump it won’t remote start. They got it going again thankfully. Finally in to the office and got busy on all things data entry. Suddenly it was time to think about lunch and it was 1:45 already. We had a “staff meeting” in the big cleared out Makerspace that is going to be rented for a Yoga class on Wednesday nights for the next month. I was proud of me for not having an alcoholic beverage with everyone. My reward was another donation to my cancer fund raiser, broke a hundred dollars!
I intended to go out and get some food but ended up working right up to the Fisher Peak Board meeting. I feel like we accomplished quite a bit and there was some healthy discussion and steps forward. Time well spent. I have to take steps to get signing authority and get the software updated and a review done. I actually look forward to that kind of thing. I am still being more conscious of my boundaries around my available time so as not to get burnt out.
I bought two things on the half price deals day. One was for a vacuum servicing which I need since the power nozzle stopped working on mine recently. The other was for the same spa as last time. I intended to get a pedicure as the last one I got was two weeks before I broke my tow and ripped the nail off. I called to make an appointment and decided I needed a massage more so I am getting one next Wednesday at 4:30. Something great to look forward to!!
The Covid-19 case numbers are going up again in BC. I shall continue to be diligent about my safety and protect my health.
My grandson Sawyer turns 6 tomorrow so I asked permission to mask up and take him shopping for a birthday present. I haven’t spent much time with him in the past year and he hasn’t been to Walmart in as long so off we went to discover what cool toys were out there. On the way I let him know that he could spend $5 for every year. Once we got into the toy section we walked slowly up and down the rows. He made several choices as we went. I showed him the tags on the shelf and that he could choose anything that started with a 2 or a 1. His first choices were small but cool and then we hit the Lego aisle. He wanted all of them so I pointed out a few he had shown interest in and then he found the one. It was so cute to see him cling to it and be so happy. As we continued down the rows he saw a few more things but each time he would look at his lego and then the other toy and decide to keep his. We did see a Star Wars knock off ‘wand’ and with that we were the $30 mark (before taxes). Next was drive thru McDonald’s, his personal favourite. I really enjoy chatting with him. He kept his mask on even in the back seat and that impressed me. Once I dropped him at home his three brothers gave me money to go back tomorrow and pickup some of the smaller things he like for them to give him. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this sooner! Birthday boy got an outing in a a safe way and will get the things he loved tomorrow!
After dinner Diane R came over to swap puzzles. I had already started the one I couldn’t resist buying while at Walmart. Glitter edition!!
We had a safe visit over two pots of tea. It was so great to catch up!! After she left, Missy came in but after she ate, she barfed it back up on the floor. So help me, if she is a sick cat, I will never get another one. I am now attached…
There was one other thing that finally occurred today. My book arrived that I made. I am not even remotely happy with DHL, the shippers. The parcel was shipped from Kuala Lumpur on January 26th, on the 28th I paid the duty and it made it to the Kelowna service area with scheduled delivery for Feb 3rd. No show, new scheduled delivery Feb 10, no show. Call again, scheduled delivery for the 15th and case closed according to an email from the escalation team. Yesterday I call again to speak to a nice lady who tells me case was closed but no delivery scheduled. She assures me after confirming the delivery address of my work that it will be delivered today. I get notification it is to be delivered today to my home address. I had to run out for an errand so I popped home mid afternoon to find it on my porch. Darn good thing the quality of the book is 1000% better than I expected. Thank you to Photobook Canada. I love it! I n the near future I will record a video and share it.
I was mentioning to Sean that I wanted to find a modern, close to the ceiling fan to match my kitchen. I went into my office and searched LED ceiling fan and the first pictures to pop up made me giggle uncontrollably. I sent pictures to Rae and Diane and asked what they thought. They both responded so earnestly that I was crying with laughter. One would make me feel like there was a Star Wars universe on my ceiling and the other like there were bats in my belfry. Given the right space I would love either of them but not in my small space.
Diane had sent homemade cookies which won’t last long. They also made me laugh when I saw the disturbed stare in the bottom of the container.
The day went well, it felt as though I had come back from vacation and I was grateful to have taken the weekend off of small screens. I had over 200 email to sift through but it was worth it. And to top it off the last pair of shoes I was waiting for arrived. I haven’t even tried them on yet, just found them their own spot on my shelves. I really love them and will try them out tomorrow.
The only annoyance in my day was that my parcel of books I made still hasn’t arrived. It was originally scheduled for delivery Feb 3rd. I have not had the best experience trying to solve why I still don’t have it. I have been told it will be delivered for sure tomorrow. I hope so..
Stopped and had a very quick, at the doorway visit with the kids. Ash has made a big decision regarding her marriage and her husband unfriended the whole family today and is making some demands of her. I hope to be able to support her through this. She is young and time will make things better but right now it sucks. I get that. I have been there and know there is not much I can do but listen. It was nice to start and end my day seeing the grandsons. They had stopped by on the way to school and I sent them off with a cupcake each. Sawyer turns 6 in two days and his heart’s desire is one of those small electric vehicles to drive around in. I am going to search them out and maybe we will all go together for one. He is hard to resist. I did another puzzle tonight. It had bigger pieces but was a bit of a challenge. I don’t really pay much attention to the picture to make it harder and get more out of it.
My car started first try. Didn’t go anywhere but hope it will do the same for work tomorrow.
My Uncle Bryan picked me as his phone a person per day person and we had a lovely chat. He and Auntie Lynne really have developed quite a life in Blind Bay and seem to be contributing a great deal to the community as well. It was nice to catch up although I was nervous when I saw him calling as I was afraid it was to deliver bad news. When I saw his name on the caller ID it flashed through my mind that something had happened to my Mom, his sister. That speaks to the fact that we do not talk enough!
I finished the cat puzzle which was decidedly harder than the stack of books and also completed the second season of S.H.I.E.L.D. They sure pack in the episodes, 22 in that season! I am really quite hooked although some things bug me. It is much easier to be critical when watching them one after the other.
Was glad to hear that Colleen and Mike are doing alright as Oregon was hit with an ice storm and the power and services are out indefinitely. She came on WhatsApp and left our group a message. They have gas heat and stove so that helps. And a freezer that is thawing so are using up its contents. It reminded me of 1997 when it hit Salt Spring. Jake and I were lucky to have had a wood stove for heat and cooking.
When I was sorting the cupboards I came across a bag of cornmeal and had a craving so I made my recipe for cornbread that I used to make every morning at my restaurant. It went very well with soup and was a hit. It had been a long time since I had made it and it gave me all the feels and memories.
I finally decided to get something more of the renovation done and was varethaning my countertop by the door when there was a knock. It was my other friend Diane and she was dropping off a Valentine gift. We had a quick chat and I showed her my projects. It was nice to have someone who had seen the before get to see it in real life. I love the rock she painted me. I sent her home with cornbread and a cupcake. We had a good talk about our situation and are going to be each other’s Covid person. She has been struggling with working from home for so long. We both love scrabble and other games and I look forward to spending time with her, playing and crafting.
I finished painting the lower cupboards and swapped out the doors and I must say it looks even better than I hoped. Still a couple more coats on the counter top to go but a huge improvement. I also swapped out the light above the sink with one I picked up new at a garage sale. It may have been sold because it takes GU10 bulbs… I will have to pick some up to see how it looks lit. There is still so much to do; painting all the white bits including the sliding doors and trimming the window and all but the improvement is incredible. I am still on the watch for a more modern ceiling fan.
I have been enjoying some newish friends on Facebook as they keep referring to things that I love and I feel as though i have found my clan. Today was a reference to one of my favourite shows ever, Red Dwarf and as I said to them, I love it so much I bought the shirt
So, although Uncle Bryan’s call and a few texts with Rae-Anne was the extent of my ‘family’ connection on this Family Day stat, I have had a most lovely and full day, all in all.
I did get a few things done to day. I finished installing my bypass doors in kitchen, did some tidying and Sean come over and jump my car. I then drove to Marysville and back to charge it. I think the battery just couldn’t handle the cold but it also had some weird corrosion so I will see if starts tomorrow and if not I will go to Can Tire and buy a fresh one. Hemorrhaging money, that’s my thing right now. I made Red Velvet cupcakes as I know they are Diane’s fave. I could not find any cupcake tins in my house so I used pans with cupcake papers in them. They had random shape but turned out great! Went perfect with my Newfoundland coffee
I can’t begin to explain how pleased I am with my kitchen and I still have so much to do. For now, though, I am able to sit and puzzle and watch my show and do a chore here and there and just relax.
I got an email yesterday from the firm looking for some information for a client but I had decided to have the weekend off and I waited until today and then just suggested other avenues to the info. I need to keep my boundaries.
I am really surprised how many episodes there were in the first season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Am into the second season and have finished another puzzle which was easy and am working on the second which is hard.
Oh and it was Valentine’s Day but I have little to care about that. I received and sent messages with a couple dear friends and enjoyed a Pal-entines.
I find it hysterical that the Tittie Bar in Ozark and the ice cream shop in Marysville share the same name.
It was 3 pm when I decided there was no point getting dressed. I spent the entire day doing puzzles and watching TV. I watched the newest episode of WandaVision which just keeps getting better. The next up was the Star Wars Holiday Special done in Lego which was super cute. And then for the rest of the day I binged Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Which for some reason I have never watched before. I very much enjoy it and have completed three puzzles and nearly another. I only stopped to let the cat in and out and eat as well as took a call from Jenny in Bella Bella. She is sweet and we had a nice chat. Other than these things I pretty much ignored my phone to just have a break from the outside world. It was nice to have an entire day off.
I had a tough start to the morning. I put lipstick on my eyelid thinking it was shadow. It was the texture that made me realize before I put it on the next one. It stung for a bit but I headed out to my car which I thought I had started to warm up. It was frosted up and wouldn’t turn over. Turns out it was -29 and I decided I had best plug it in. My cords were all still under some snow where the inflatables had been and I was not dressed for getting them as I was wearing suede Fluevogs. I threw cardboard down and jumped across the yard, got cords and plugged it in. Rae came and got me and brought me and my frozen hands to work. I promptly forgot I did not have a car with me. Ashlée came to drop stuff to throw in my car and I went out and was looking for it in the parking lot before I remembered, and come the end of the day I realized I had to call for a ride. Rae to the rescue again.
It is a palindrome and ambigram day. Date reads the same both ways and upside down. Pretty cool. I am a number nerd. I finally go the first pair of shoes I ordered today but they are the wrong size. I hope they will fit Ashlée as I am terribly disappointed.
Keri and I had Subway for lunch again. I appreciate that she picked it up. I was so busy I barely remember scarfing it down while I worked. She got a surprise from her husband and I envy that relationship.
When Ashlée stopped by she gave me a cute new wine glass. I used it for my sparkling water tonight.
My car wouldn’t start when I got home. I will try to jump start it this weekend and hope I don’t need a new battery. Came in and heated up some dinner, did some laundry, watched The Dig and puzzled. I enjoyed the movie very much. The rest of the evening I watched Ozark. So far so interesting.
Needed to write a cheque today. Found an original book of them from my Salt Spring Island days. I forgot all about how cute they were. My name has the accent backwards and it is hard to imagine there was a time we put our email address on them. Oh, bother.
I was very fortunate that I picked up my lab rec when the clinic opened at 8:45 and headed straight to the Lab. Rather than have people wait in the cold they have made an extra room next door and have a doorman. Apparently I should have booked an appointment and that is taking up to a week but my walk in moment hit right during a lull and I was in and out in 10 minutes or so.
Had two of the Theatre Board members in my office today and much animated discussion happened. We all miss the days when theatre and family were one and the same.
Was nice to be treated with a chai and Cobbs when I got back to the office thanks to CFEK. I couldn’t bring myself to join them though as there were 4 people in a 10×10 office eating and drinking. I have heard on CBC that it is one of the problem times for contact and contagion. We are not allowed to even bubble yet and with just their immédiate family and contacts I calculated 22 people that I know of. I think I will stick with the Power of one. The treats were delicious though.
Minus 25 this morning but I was looking fine in my necklace from Emmy. It put a spring in my step. Rae-Anne showed up for a good long coffee and chat in my office and brought beautiful flowers. My new pots arrived and they are even better quality than I hoped.
Finally had my on the phone appointment with my Dr and she is erring on the side of caution and ordering more tests while we wait for my colonoscopy. Another ultrasound and bloodwork to find the source of the intermittent pain and further investigate the mass that showed up on the CT scan. I am continuing my effort to exercise, eat more regularly and drink more water. The Dryish February is going well. Tonight is the first night I really want a drink but that is merely my mood. I feel looked after by her but also just tired of being aware not all is well.
Tonight I learned, on Facebook, that MusicFest is canceled again this year. I feel as though it was the last straw for the week. I have been crying because I miss those friends, that experience, that part of my story, my schedule, my psyche. I missed my 12th and now 13th year of going to the Comox Valley, seeing my peeps and experiencing something unlike anything else in my life. There is nothing that compares in my world to that. I am afraid it will never come back. I did not know it would be the last time I would see them all for such a long time. I am overwhelmed with a fit of selfish, Fuck you Covid, how dare you take this away again. Head is starting to hurt, must refocus…
I need to see this as opportunity to deal with my health at a time when I am usually buried in spreadsheets, organizing names and sending invites to volunteers for crew, getting excited but feeling the pressure. It is a lot during a busy time for bookkeepers. This February is very calm by comparison which is good for stress induced illnesses. I think I am going to add going to bed earlier to my new regimen. I am getting up an hour earlier so it is probably a good idea. I need to protect my mental health as well.
Up at 6 to send Jake on his way home. Sad but so glad to see the positive changes in his life. Got on the treadmill and then on with my day. Found a necklace on my bed and a text to Danika assured me that Emmy had wanted me to have it.
An old friend had commented on the dust in my car so I ‘carved’ his name in it this morning. It was a minus 19 morning!!
I had physio today and he worked on my popped rib which likely happened when I had a muscle spasm last week. I think once I am done physio I am going to book a regular massage to help with the upper back sitting at a desk too much issue. On Sunday when I was at Rae’s I dropped my phone on the sidewalk and with the cold it shattered my screen. Thankfully I had a protective sheet on it and there was no damage to my phone at all!
Last night Ashlée had dropped off a bag of Jeep stuff and I looked in the bag when I got home tonight to find a picture I love from when I took her to Waikiki for Spring Break in 2005 for her grad present. My friend Wendy brought her daughter Alicia and we had a lovely time. Good memories.
I managed to get my doors hung. Still need to box in the ends and paint them and attach the bottom track but it feels good to get them up since I ordered them last August and it took so long to get them. Probably would have been easier with Jake’s help.
Once I was done that chore I settled down to do a puzzle and the next thing I knew it was after 11! Must stop!
On January 21st I had a very short messenger conversation with my friends Elaine and Barry on Salt Spring Island. It should have been longer but I was busy and intended to take more next time. Today I saw a RIP post on Facebook and was horrified. I immediately continued that private message about hearing a horrible rumour. I didn’t realize how close I was to a scheduled call with a client and when my phone rang I automatically answered it just as Barry’s message came that Elaine had died yesterday at 11 am. My breath was taken away and I barely managed to answer my client. She was so kind and offered to do it another time but she is a busy Mom and I knew I needed to assist her as planned, that I could swallow my grief. We both took a moment and I sat in it for a moment before we went on to work together on her online books for the next 3 hours. It was good for my soul to work with this lovely lady, Julie and as time passed we were laughing and getting things in order. She let me have my times when I had trouble expressing myself and I allowed her the issues we need to fix. I was able to talk to her and she understood that I was not especially surprised my dear friend was gone, she has suffered poor health for years but it was the shock of learning it on Facebook. Elaine was working for Mouat’s Trading Company on SSI when I started there in 1997, she was a friend through so many changes over the years. She and Barry were always so kind to me and cared how Jake and I were doing. I am grateful that the last time I was on island I made a point of doing a drive by hugging. I hadn’t seen her in a very long time and now I am especially grateful I did. I was grateful to come home to my son, to spend his last night here together after he went and had a visit with his daughter. We had a meal and chatted and watched “Yesterday” which I was surprised he hadn’t seen yet. I think it was good and helped to add a little cheer to the day. I packed up a dozen homemade wine in his crate to take home, gave him a couple Tupperware for his lunches and will send along some elk steaks and snacks with him tomorrow. I am sad he is leaving but glad he was here.
The more mundane things I did: treadmill, car to dealership for light issues, ran payroll, picked up Tupperware parcel that wasn’t available until noon today even though I needed it for an event last Saturday, downgraded my driver’s license to drop my class 4 to just 5&6 (car and motorcycle) (hated getting picture taken while at my highest weight ever) picked up my Fluevogs from the cobbler and tended to some volunteer work. Life does go on…
Starting one’s day off at 6:06 am on a Sunday is not always my favourite but when you open your eyes to a granddaughter snuggling in with you, all is right with the world. It has been a long time since I have had snuggles and Emmy is just a treat. I can honestly say, I had a great day. The three of us had breakfast, played Go Fish and Mario Wii together. Laughed a lot, especially when Miss E told a joke which always ended with wacka wacka. She made chocolates and played with all the toys in the tickle trunk I made for her Aunties many years ago. After lunch we all went to Rae and Roger’s to visit around the fire outside. We took a few pictures and had roasted marshmallows and then donned masks and had their new exchange student, Max come down as well. He is in quarantine but is allowed to be outside, appropriately distanced. It was the first time our whole family including Bill and Deanne, Ashlée and Jake has been together probably since Christmas 2019. It was lovely to have a visit but also really cold. After Jake left to take Emmy home I went for groceries and them came home to make dinner for us and Ashlée. We have all agreed to stay appart from others for the rest of the week as we are able. I ‘twas great to spend time with them this evening. We ate, played crib and Ticket to Ride, laughed until Ashlée cried and just enjoyed each other’s company. Also made a batch of nuts and bolts but realized too late I was out of worstershire so I made a substitution with sugar, soya sauce and lemon juice. They turned out perfect great I think but could do with less butter maybe. They seem sweeter than they should be. Could have been the banana cheerios…. I remembered too late to purchase a ticket that tonight was the streaming of an encore presentation of a CCT show. I do have access to watch it as I had to convert it for the streaming company but am just too tired tonight. I shall leave this with a few pics from the day.
I let everything go for too long and today was the day I got a handle on it. There’s not much to tell. The pictures of before and after say it all. I have alluded to the fact I looked like a hoarder but it is really a sign of my state of mind. I put things off, literally let them pile up and then it becomes too overwhelming. I usually get kicked into gear by company coming but.. well, Covid. So, with Jake arriving today I made like he was royalty and got at it.
It’s not perfect and there is still much to sort but I feel so comfortable in my space again and look forward to doing a puzzle on my dining room table.
Jake made good time getting here from Vancouver and popped off to grab milk and bread while I finished and then he and Emmy both arrived. He spent time getting his Christmas presets together for the nephews and giving me and Emmy, ours. I got a Stephen King paperback The Outlander and Emmy loves her Mario Lego. Jake forgot to put the pants on for the video haha
We had dinner and stories and Emmy went to bed easily. She kept saying ‘this is the best day’. It felt so good to have the company of loved ones. Knowing they are asleep in the den makes my heart happy. I shall sleep well tonight.
I didn’t have a great sleep but got up and on the treadmill. I am glad it is Friday. I dropped off the coffee maker and grinder at Ashlée’s and then popped in to the Honda dealership to make arrangements to have my car looked at for a few oddities. I will bring it in Monday morning. The license plate light has been doing a disco show for a couple months now and the console map light has never worked. I could check the bulbs but if it is a wiring issue I would rather they just fix it. Got back to the office and was admittedly pissed off that I was being left out of the Friday coffee time. Sometimes I feel part of the office culture and then I don’t. I got over it but stuck to myself for the day. I had an optometrist appointment for the first time in a couple years and it was as I suspected. My eyes have changed a lot and they are both different enough that the new glasses needed very expensive lenses. That left me fewer choices for frames. I tried on a lot of them but wish I had been wearing contacts so I could see without having to take a picture. I also will get a trial pair of contacts when they come in. All for only $1041! Sigh
I stopped to pick up a parcel after and it was Diana’s Tupperware. It makes no sense why one in 6 packages I have to go pick up. When I dropped the order off she gave me (Jake) a loaf of fresh banana bread.
Got more T4s and a lot of wcb reconciliations done and worked on both my volunteer files before I left. Heard the news that Christopher Plummer has died. What a career. What a legacy.
So ridiculously good
Came home to the T4 and T4A from my last employer so I will have to make a point of doing my own books and taxes soon, just in case I need to buy some RRSPs. I made a delicious fish burger again. I would definitely buy them again. 10 minutes in the air fryer to perfection.
There had been fresh snow this morning and I decided to dress for the day in a way that I would feel fabulous. I am glad I did as I had Viola take a pic for me and I posted it along with the caption: Rock what you got. Healthy and Happy is true beauty
I got over 10000 steps in and am tired so off to bed early. That is unusual for me, especially on a Friday night.
triumphgal 