I decided that after filing subsidies yesterday, today would be a good day to reconcile and file T4s. I did 9 companies worth by the day’s end as well as a bunch of other things. I like doing them, working past the stress and triple checking everything. Little happy dances all day long. It also takes a lot of stress away to get them off the to do list. 4 more batches to do. I’ve kept to my schedule but may float out of here on all the water and tea I have been drinking. I also realized it is just easier to uncork a bottle of wine than make a pot of tea. I did not opt for wine though. Dry day 4 is done. So far, no big deal. I do hope it will at best cause a drop in weight . I love Thursday nights as all my shows record and there will still be some to watch tomorrow. It is Chicago show night and sitcom night as well. Shame it isn’t spread across more of the week.
I was trying to explain my Moka espresso pot to my daughter Ashlée as she broke her French press today. I found a cool video online showing the best preparation to get fine coffee. She is new to coffee world so it will be interesting to hear what she thinks. I drink black coffee so the important part to me is finding the right bean. Made in this perfect little percolator, coffee is truly divine.
I am enjoying my routine of this week. Treadmill , shower, off to the office, work quietly and steadfastly at many tasks, return home to catch up with a loved one or friend, make a nice meal, do a few chores and then settle in with tea or bubbly water and watch my shows. The morning involves watching WandaVision as I walk and the evening, Bridgerton as I sit. WandaVision got interesting today as I saw things come together that I thought may be true and Bridgerton got downright steamy. I enjoyed bits of my snack pack that arrived today as well. I think I will make more nuts and bolts, now that I have some cheez its.
Today, work was satisfying as I was able to get thousands of dollars of subsidies for a few clients. It is something that takes a great deal of concentration as I do not wish to make a mistake. It is also something that makes me happy to be able to help in some way.
My world is very calm and enjoyable at the moment. I shall savour this for as long as it lasts.
just as I was about to shut down I noticed a strange message via Facebook. How terribly odd as I have never heard of this person before.
Day two of treadmill and no alcohol. A good and crazy multi-purpose day included the best chocolates from one of my young clients who knew I was sad yesterday and thought they might help. How truly old school and lovely of him. And it worked! I also finally received the two pair of shoes I ordered a couple weeks ago. They looked so tiny but fit and I really like them. There is weird stitched letters on the grey ones that did not show in the ad but I kind of like it. My jailbird shoes. The other pair has the cutest soles.
I was glad to see the front page of the paper today as somehow I had managed not to make it downtown to see the ice x-wing.
There was an item before city council last night to rezone an old gym into a homeless shelter. It passed but our mayor and one councilman voted against it. It has been an interesting read in social media. The opinions are strong. One local business owner wrote a beautiful piece on FaceBook and I believe it warrants sharing:
Fear and danger are not the same thing.
I’ve really contemplated posting all this because I’m learning this whole “If you own a business, keep your mouth shut” business. But this topic eats at me. It hits too close to home.
I truly believe that tonight you will see City Council approve the rezoning, allowing for the development of a supportive location for our vulnerable community members. While I am no longer on Council, I have taken the time to read many of the letters of support and letters of opposition. Some letters have had me in tears, for better and for worse.
My husband and I are both downtown business owners. We are both impacted by the prevalence of homelessness. We have discovered members of our vulnerable community sleeping in our dump trailer, entering our business high and more. The liability is concerning.
I am also a mother. My teenage daughter works for me at my restaurant. These individuals struggling with homelessness have made my daughter and my servers uncomfortable at times. Often actually. Myself included.
Yet, I am in support of this rezoning.
Over the past year, as the issue of homelessness grows, I have had to face my own discriminative attitude multiple times. As a business owner and as a mother. I have had my own moments of judgement as I assume they’re doing drugs in our bathroom. I have faced my own frustration with vulnerable community members coming in high or coming down in my restaurant.
I had to face the fear. Fears that I had no idea I had.
We serve coffee to the vulnerable community at my restaurant. Our guests pay for them and we serve them. It’s a great program. We become familiar with our vulnerable community. We get the opportunity to interact with vulnerable community and face our own preconceived notions. We get the opportunity to become uncomfortable. We get the opportunity to learn.
In 2013, my children and I couch surfed and camper trailer surfed for four months until I could find a home, after my divorce left me without a home for a short period of time.
I had seven years of post secondary. I was the top student in COTR and UVic in 2008 and 2011 respectively, a certified teacher in the Province of BC and in 2013 I was couch surfing with three kids from April to August. How does that even happen?!
It was awful but we made the best of it. We were able to make the best of it because I had strong enough mental health (boy it wasn’t perfect tho!). I was open to asking for help and had an available support system. Those were the only difference between my situation and the situation of those who will benefit from this shelter.
When this is approved and I truly believe it will be, please remember that fear and danger are not the same thing.
It’s okay to be afraid of what will happen. What will happen to my business? What will my children see? What will come of our community? Those are rational fears. The unknown creates a rational fear.
But they do not equate to danger.
I am still getting past my fears of the unknown. I have taken the time to familiarize myself with members of our vulnerable community. I can admit I have a long ways to go in the area of judgement. I still catch myself assuming that if a homeless person is in our bathroom, they must be doing drugs (often they’re cleaning themselves up, using the washroom, or simply hiding to warm up).
I still have fears but do I think I’ve ever been in danger? Not for a moment.
If the rezoning happens and I believe it will, challenge yourself to look at your fears.
It’s so easy to say, “but our kids will find needles!” Well, they’re already finding needles. We have a serious drug problem in Cranbrook. This shelter alone isn’t going to solve or worsen that. That’s a drug issue, and a whole entire topic I can passionately sound off about. Shelter or no shelter, teach your kids about needles and why not to touch them and who to call if they find them.
It’s so easy to say, “but they’ll be aggressive to our kids!” If there is aggression toward your children, it’s not because of their proximity to an arena. That is a mental health issue that can happen anywhere. In front of Mt. Baker. Inside a business. On a street corner. That’s a mental health issue. This shelter alone isn’t going to solve or worsen that.
This shelter is going to give people a place of warmth. This shelter is going to give people a place of hygiene. This shelter is going to give people a place of nutrition. This shelter is going to give people a place of basic human dignity.
As a business owner and a mom, I hope that this rezoning is approved. I am confident that there are at least four Councillors within our City who will look past the fears and do what’s right. When that happens, I truly hope that we can all be supportive. I truly hope that we can all be a community of good citizens and look out for one another.
– Danielle Eaton
So well stated, I appreciate her very much.
Once home I made some special tea and dinner.
I watched Pacific Rim, which is a ‘guy flick’ for sure and I was grateful that I didn’t see it in a theatre as it was rather intense. I enjoyed it and Charlie Hunnam but can’t say i am interested in seeing more of them. Moved on to something completely different and started watching Bridgerton which I am quite enjoying.
Today is day one of Dry Feb and honestly, it’s not a problem. I will need to keep in the habits I restarted again today. I got up at 6:30 and walked on my treadmill for 1.5 episodes of WandaVision. I really like it so far. It is quirky and reminiscent of the Lucille Ball Show and Bewitched. I could have kept watching but needed to get on with my day. I did manage to make my goal for steps today and after this week I will raise the goal from 7000 to the ideal 10000. I ate three small meals and avoided snacking this evening. Drank water at work and tea once I got home. I did discover I have tea I do not love and I should probably research which ones do or do not have caffeine. I am glad I sorted more of the kitchen yesterday and got my healthy beverage choices organized. Had a nice long FaceTime with Rae-Anne tonight. Seems she inadvertently caused a conversation about abortion around the dinner table with her 4 boys aged 5-13. It went well but poor Sawyer, the youngest, was sad about what he understood about it all. She was able to express her beliefs about the subject and impress on them that this was a personal private conversation, not a topic for school and that no matter what someone believes, they should be kind. She is a good Mom.
I didn’t take a single picture today, proof I had my nose in the books. I spent time toward the end of the day sorting my own books for 2021 and invoicing through the software for the first time ever. Now that I am charging GST I need to keep extremely accurate track of my income and expenses so I pay the government the right amount and not a penny more. The other thing I did today was make a Drs appointment to have my angry mole on my back checked and follow up on my hospital visit. My Dr is just back so hard to see. have a phone appt next week first. I also deleted my FaceBook dating profile. I am tired of nice guys too far away and too nice of guys who are clearly catfishing scammers. I will take my chances in the real world.
How has the first month of 2021 come and gone already?! of course this signifies that tomorrow I go Dry. I have decided to raise funds for Cancer Research and signed up to go dry(ish) for February which means I committed to 21 days alcohol free in the month. My son Jake is coming to stay for a few days so I suspect we shall enjoy a bevie. If not I will go the whole month. I am seeking donations so will just leave the link here: https://www.dryfeb.ca/users/marnee-bellavance
I was up and at it and got a few odd things done. Diane started it all with sending a link about a lazy Susan for sale as I have been seeking one. I sent her back a picture of the one I found at the dollar store and that started me sorting my cupboards. That is what i have focused on, if I pick something up, don’t just push it aside but fine a home for it.
I got laundry done and showered, then headed to the theatre to meet the director and producers of the next show at CCT, Shape of a Girl. Should have been a short experience but the gear hasn’t been used in a while and took some time to get it all running and let Amy see what was possible in our space. I really like her and it is funny as we both have professional theatre experience but also descriptor confusion. She wanted a Ground plot which I have never heard of and it took my brain a while to understand, blank stage plot was what she was seeking.
I am still really suffering from the heaviness in my chest from the Hernia and going up and down the three flights of stairs a couple times was trying. I suspect being Dry for Feb may make an impact on that as well. I hope so. I just realized that the theatre jaunt took so much longer than I anticipated that I forgot to pick up my Fluevog boots from the cobbler. I watched two movies this evening. Both very different and yet both good. Locked Down was so current it was interesting and I do like Anne Hathaway and anything set in London. Add that it was set during and showed accurately the issues of a pandemic and I felt it was a win. The second one I just finished: Hacksaw Ridge Wow, I love movies based on true stories and Desmond Doss was a real hero. The first (only?) conscientious objector to get a Medal of Honor. It was well cast and horrifying that anyone on either side had to go through that at all.
I was up fairly early, rearranging things and organizing more of the kitchen. Missy did not want to go out in the snow at first. I had forgotten about the time change so the service was actually at noon my time. I contacted Mom and she couldn’t get connected at first so I set up my phone to watch it on FaceTime while I cast it to my TV from my iPad. It was streamed via YouTube. Just before it started Mom got it working on her own iPad. Lynda and Kevin, Murrays children did such a good job sharing who he was , a good, funny, inquisitive and talented man who was loved. I cried and felt for my ‘siblings’.
It did leave me in a malais for the rest of the afternoon so I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked. I did build my new shoe rack though and started gathering all my footwear. I honestly was shocked I have so many. I admit I default to my Blundstones.. A few on the rack are very expensive, many are cheap but fun.
I did make time to prep a Stoup in my slow cooker. Ham, potatoes, carrots and chicken broth from a friend that has been in my freezer for a year. It started to smell so good in here and turned out tasty. I have a small cooker but there are plenty of leftovers.
I had a few slices of Swiss cheese left and saw a post in the cooking group on facebook about grilling cheese. I tried it in my eggo sized waffle maker and it was delish!!
Terrible picture of a calorie laden treat
It was also a three movie day between chores. First was The King of Staten Island. It was enjoyable. I like Pete Davidson and there was the bonus of Steve Buschemi and Marisa Tomei. I feel like Staten Island must compare to Surrey BC for reputation. Next was Ben Affleck in The Way Back, he does play a drunk well but i just couldn’t connect with it and I usually love sports movies. The final of the evening was Parasite which took all my concentration as it is subtitled but that wasn’t a problem. I see why it won the awards. It took on strange twists I wasn’t expecting and what quite something. The whole, ‘if it came from America it must be best’ theme was interesting. I was quite taken in by it.
I ought to try to get more done tomorrow. I did get Jake’s bed ready for next weekend at least.
I ran a few errands before work. First stop was to drop off a bunch of interior design books to Diane. She was very happy with them. Next stop was to pick up my newest Scentsy from my cousin Becky. I saw it in our Duck Fan group and asked if she could get it for me. I love it!! It is the perfect addition to my office. On the way from Diane’s, just up the block there is a flock of ducks that hang out there. Was so odd to see them on the snow on the side of the road that I had to stop and take a picture. It was a Duck kind of day!
I managed to get done all things necessary for the month so I don’t have to go in this weekend. At the end of my day I had a lovely FaceTime with my Granddaughter Emmy and her Mom, Danika. It has been a long time and I am looking forward to her staying here next weekend with Jake. She was quite charming and then she was done. 3 is so cute. After tonight I will be more isolated so we will all be safe next weekend.
After work I went to Campbells for a delicious homemade chicken put pie and salad. Aiden and I made a run for drive thru Dairy Queen for all which I definitely did not need but it was so good. Well, except I forgot to say no pineapple on my banana split. I do not like the odd textured chunks. We all settled in to watch the second in the Narnia Chronicles trilogy. Prince Caspian. I still can’t believe I haven’t seen them. I devoured the books. It was so different from the first one. I enjoyed it though and look forward to the last one. I really enjoy Aiden’s company and he gives great hugs. Fills the Grandson void a bit.
So much to do this weekend, need to get further along on the kitchen and I must ready the den for Jake and Emmy. First though I will join the YouTube stream of Murray Clarke’s memorial tomorrow. Mr and Mrs C moved to the Neighbourhood when I was a pre-teen. I babysat their two kids, Lynda and Kevin. They became our extended family. I still think of the kids as my little sister and brother. We said good-bye to their lovely Mom, Angie some years ago and now will send off their Dad in the best style possible these days. I am sure his two grandsons will miss him terribly. I will always be grateful for him training me on my first real camera and giving me a love for seeing the world through a lens and photo blogging my life. I have always kept and cherished a bird he carved many years ago. Rest In Peace Mr. C
I heard from Jackie’s son, Reid that the outbreak is over at her care home and that he will get to see her on Monday. That is the best news ever. For some reason she was gifted a ‘light’ case of Covid and seems fine. I am so grateful.
I went to physio first thing this morning and we are slowly working on my neck to realize everything whatever is wrong in my neck that is causing issues. Mark Johnson is great. He is kind and thorough and engaging. All the things that make one feel taken care of . It’s a shame my benefits only cover 20 of the 75 dollars per week for treatments.
It’s probably good I shoveled my way out before going to physio because I could sure feel my elbow for the rest of the day.
One of the more frustrating things that has happened recently was trying to sign in to an ICBC site. It said my licence was invalid so I called in. The woman did everything she could to confirm my identity but her questions were so odd there was no way I could answer them. Where did you last renew your license, what two pieces of ID did you use, what date did you get your license originally. Good grief, it was an exercise in frustration for both of us. I finally said, look I am not angry at you but I need to know if I have a valid license and I can not get into an office right now. I can tell you the three other last names I was under an the last three addresses I had. She kept saying there was nothing she could do and then she put me on hold and came back to ask me my last two addresses. I felt sorry for her as she sounded new and on script but I needed to find out that I need to deal with my class 4 medical until my license is good for good. At least I know now it is still valid in the meantime.
I worked 7.5 hours on one file today. My garbage man’s 🙂 We chatted back and forth all day to get him caught up. It felt good to get it done. He and his wife are of the few who get to text me any time at all with work stuff.
I spent time getting my Interior Design books and software together for Diane. I want to encourage her to follow her talents. I think that will make her happy. I looked through them this evening and it gave me joy so I hope they do the same for her. Their family will be transitioning to to Vancouver Island in a year and a half. I think she should prepare by setting herself up for success as a designer. You can see by her home she has a gift for it. (And I think she and I are ok after last night which makes my heart happy)
I tried my Norwex Descaler in my shower and bathroom sink and am blown away by how well it works. My sink had been rough from the hard water and now it is like new after only five minutes.
Tomorrow’s Friday!!!
I wasn’t going to mention this part of my day but I can’t let it go until I do apparently. I had to drop off paperwork to the Firm I used to work for and as soon as I walked in the door I started having trouble breathing. I mean, really was struggling. I blamed it on walking up the stairs in a hurry but it was a full on anxiety attack. This left it very clear that I made the right choice to spread my own wings. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I do wish them the best though and will continue to work for our clients amicably.
While getting ready this morning I found myself worrying that my furnace was failing, It needs to be working when they replace it to get the rebate. I was disturbed by a sound similar to a motor trying to turn over but soon realized it was accompanied by vibration which meant it came from the construction site down the block. Again, I am so grateful to not live on the closest side of the park, nor do I have to be home every day. Another thing I don’t understand is how great the construction integrity can be when they are building a multi story condo on a bog while it is frozen. How will it not settle and crack? The whole complex is very large and on the front of the property. As it rises from the property I see that balcony and window facings may allow a view of my yard.. sigh.
I had a few things happen at work that allowed for connection outside of ‘regular’ hours and others that left me setting boundaries around what I was willing to stress about and what I wasn’t.
Today was exciting for Subway lunch and a new chair. I have been testing different stool chairs, to not much success. Rae met me at her work to test chairs as the one I bought from them is not working for me. I found one that fits my lumbar needs and is beautiful. While deep in a file I heard wheels rolling down the highway and realized my new chair had arrived. The rest of the afternoon was so joyful. I am still trying too decide if I want the stand up adjustable stool to go with my desk.
I have to admit it made my day to get amusing texts and email from clients that are more like friends. I also got a lovely message from another director for the theatre and am grateful for all the love. It makes the sacrifices and personal touch worthwhile.
I was so excited to get invited to my Framily for dinner tonight. The problem for me is that I will always say things straight up. I don’t want to offend but I will also be honest. I had so much fun playing Patchwork, enjoyed a delicious meal and was thrilled that 16 year old Aiden wanted to come play doubles crib. Somewhere along the way a friend was hurt. I still am not sure how and am unclear if it is mine to fix. That is where things become very family. When you can only hope that the love is stronger than the moment.
Aiden and Sean and I played Taxi, a card game that left us laughing and I only hope things are good in the long run.
The skiff of snow tonight showed off the footprint of my oldest, nearly worn out Fluevogs. I am loathe to give them up but they are disintegrating each time I wear them.
Do you think that people know I love them even when I have an opinion about what they are doing?
A parcel arrived to start my day holding my 10 tier shoe rack and I am looking forward to setting it up and getting organized.
My day ended with a Board meeting for Community Theatre. I do enjoy this bunch of people. We are making good choices for the future of our Society. These changing times make us afraid that there will be a generation that doesn’t know or look forward to the excitement of live theatre.
It has been snowy the last couple days, just a wee blanket on the ground. And really quite cold. Tonight it’s only minus 7. My place has been staying consistently comfortable without the furnace kicking in too often. I put paper pleated blinds between the windows and it seems to have really made a difference. I like the light and privacy it affords as well as the energy savings.
I have so much to do here but by the time i was done making and eating dinner, I just wanted to sit and enjoy my NCIS and then will get a good sleep. There is something hopeful in the air at the moment.
It was pointed out on the radio that a once in 1000 year string of dates is currently upon us from 1-20-21 to 1-29-21 the date is a palindrome. I notice numbers and hadn’t stopped to take a good look at this curiosity. Likely because there have been dates like 01-11-10 which to me is a perfect palindrome. I suspect the entire week is what makes this an especially unusual situation. But it’s no 02-22-20, just saying. That was not only a palindrome but approximately half way between first case and lockdown in Canada due to Covid-19. This is the anniversary, 01-25-20, the day Canada found it’s first case. A whole freaking year, so much has changed, so little has, all in the same breath. My life certainly has, the number one best thing about it is the redefining and appreciation for or letting go of relationships. Even Facebook has changed, people who have never been on it before have found themselves reaching out and reconnecting, lines have been drawn between the rational and the tin hats, connections kept us sane and drove us crazy at the same time.
I have watched relationships grow closer, strain to the point of breaking or shatter into a million pieces. I myself flit back and forth between thriving outrageously solo and desperately wanting someone to snuggle. A good snog and a deep kiss could make the world go away some days. And then I see the struggling relationships and ache for the pressure they must be under. I want to avoid anyone struggling right now as I am walking on a tightrope and my chin is up, my wings are fluttering, I don’t want to misstep. As an empath, I can trip over someone else’s feeling more easily than my own. I struggle with self protection when my nature is to try to express what I sense in a way that will help the other person. In doing so though it can do me damage and I feel as though I am coming up to a nice place right now. I am going to hold on to that.
These are some of the things that rattle around in my head after I post a check in, shopping list of how my day was. I resent that I have to sensor so as not to be gossipy or hurtful. I can’t just say everything to let it all out. But I can wait a bit and digest it and discuss in more general ways so no one gets hurt.
There have been so many positives this past week including my client/friend who asked if I would do dry February with her and I was hoping for a buddy to do so. I also asked another friend to join in as I worry about her health. It will be good for all of us. I don’t think it will be easy as I am in the habit of enjoying a bevie, but it will be healthy and will break the habit. I am going to get on the treadmill again as well. I am going to do things that make me happy, like puzzles and crafts.
Up and at it at a decent time for a Sunday morning. Was being chatted at by two different guys on Facebook dating. One is too far away and the other is a smoker with a foot fetish who lives locally. Bahahahahaha, I should introduce him to Throbby Bobby! I must be polite and get out of both these situations and then shut off that feature. Did a bunch more putting things together in the kitchen. Really need to paint and do the trim around the window and the tile and then repaint everything that is white with a fresh coat to say that main part of it is done. Started working on the other side as well. Pictures to follow when I get further along. Went in to the office for 4 hours to get the books caught up to date for the community theatre and did my treasurer and tech reports for our board meeting on Tuesday night. Stopped by to see Diane and pick up my crib board I had left there for the last year. I know Diane loves it and wishes it could live there forever but it is a special metal one the girls dad gave me. Ashlée came over for dinner and to watch a rerun of a play together. It was really well done. I thought we might play some crib but by the time we got dinner and settled we just enjoyed the show. It was nice to hang out. I am glad we are a bubble. I feel it more important than ever to keep my outreach small as Jake will be staying here when he comes from Vancouver to see Emmy and we have both agreed to keep as secluded as possible.
I got a fair amount done today painting the Kitchen and installing a large panel door after enjoying an ABC Zoom session for an hour and then putting on my new socks from Colleen to send a picture to all as I hadn’t managed to during the session. I took them off so I wouldn’t get paint on them and put them away in my drawer. A couple hours later I sat for a break and realized my nail had come off! It’s been almost 4 months and the new nail was coming in nicely underneath and the skin is not too tender. I hope it continues to grow in properly. They say toenails can take up to a year and a half. I found the nail in one of the socks. Sure glad I didn’t put them on and find it some day!! The kitchen is really coming together.
Mmmm cheese biscuits
I worked some and then got caught up in bingeing the newest season of Wentworth. I paused it and painted the upper cupboards while listening to the Hockey game on the radio. Vancouver was playing Montreal and it was a total surprise that Corey Perry is now playing for them. It was his debut as a Hab tonight and he scored a goal as did Brendon Gallagher who played for the Giants when I used to go watch them regularly. Finished painting and then finished watching Wentworth. I think I will figure out how to hang the bypass doors tomorrow.
Awoke to a text from Jake to call him when I was able. Of course I did right away and we had a great talk about his potential new job which is very exciting. More when he makes a decision but I am happy he will come visit soon to see Emmy and we are going to enforce a bubble. Work was quiet and peaceful as so few were at the office today. It was a fabulously sunny day. The mountains were spectacular. I picked Ashlée up from an appointment and dropped her at her home and then picked up litter before heading home to get painting. I got quite a bit done and a few things put back into place. I liked Rosie’s idea to put white doors on the wall with the odd doors cut out of the paneling where the hot water tank is. I have the door I took off the pantry so I brought it inside and will install and paint it tomorrow. Int the meantime it was bye, bye butter yellow, hello flannel Gray. I also took the broken glass out of my clock and rehung it. It is tarting to come together. I am tired out though and shall call it a night.
Yeah, so that’s cool. I am grateful to be here. Full and satisfying day. Highlight was when my special delivery arrived. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
I wanted all the pictures before I scuff them up as I do intend to wear them well. Just like yesterday’s Fluevogs, they show wear because I have been enjoying them for 30 years or so.
I stayed a little longer tonight as I figured out how to transform the book i had created into the one it needed to be to use the prepaid vouchers I have. I am so excited with the way it turned out and can’t wait for the printed copies. I helped my Mom find this blog by FaceTime in her phone while she showed me her iPad. It turns out she searching for it in Facebook. Glad to get her reconnected. It was pretty cold when I left the office. I am grateful for a warm home and a cat and fish to come home to. I made ziti with a meat and mushroom sauce for dinner and it was delicious!
People have started to reach out about doing their taxes. I think this little business of mine is just the right amount of successful.
I spent way too much time today working… lol. I actually like what I was doing today, fine tuning a file that was migrated from quickbooks desktop to online. As I was doing that I had one of my screens playing the inauguration. I cried as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first Female Vice President, never mind all the race cards she plays. The ceiling shattered. The entire service was beautiful from Lady Gaga to J-Lo and a cowboy in jeans and a black hat, knock me over with a feather! I feel that the world may be settling on it’s axis once again. I posted a picture in the Flummunity site to support the wear blue
Once my day was done I started working on a book I am putting together. It is fun and I lost track of time. Next thing I knew it was 820 and I was still at my desk! I headed home and heated up some leftovers. Rae-Anne texted me that she loved me and was thinking of me. I called her and we got into some amazing conversations that lasted 2.5 hours . I only have two people in my life that I can talk that easily to for so long, Rae and my cousin Rosie. We always cover so many topics it takes a long time. I am tired but it is only a half hour to midnight and I am not ready to go to bed…
Was just walking into the office building when I got a FaceTime from Jackie. I am so happy she checks in on me. She was worried while I was in hospital as I am not sure how much she understood. She looks so great, not at all like the Covid diagnosis had an effect. I think there is a part of me that still hopes she will spontaneously start talking. I think she has gone backwards though as she was able to say I love you and other works initially. I haven’t heard any proper works in a long time. It was a great way to start a busy day though!
I received the quote from the heating guy and sent it off to my friend Mark on Salt Spring Island who has the same kind of business. He said it was a good deal for what I was getting and on top of that I would get the $2000 rebate. I promptly went and signed the contract for a new high efficiency furnace with a coil installed for AC when I am ready for it. They think it will be able to be installed in two weeks! I am hemorrhaging money right now but all as a good long term investment in my place. It is good to have it done before I redo the bathroom as I may have to bump into it some for the new furnace.
Went for physio again and he worked on my neck which was very painful and although the heating pad helped I was left with a headache and a feeling of stuffiness on the right side.
Came back to work and continued working on a big file, managing to file his wcb, GST and payroll remittances. That was happy dance worthy. The CFEK ladies made me a special coffee and accidentally even made a heart on it 🙂
The wind tonight has been ridiculously shuddering my home. What an odd winter. I partially wonder if the wind whistles through here more now that the trees are gone on the next properties. I spent the evening working on some photo books. They take a while to do but will be worth it.
My day started with a phone call from the lovely Jess with a Deep South accent who works for Intuit and is looking into fixing a file for me. It was before 8 so got me on the move for the day. My health is better but my guts take a little time out of my morning to get running on time. I started working on all my payroll files and found my too long nails to be frustrating so I called the salon and they had an opening at 2. Bonus sole-proprietor, I don’t have to ask the boss to leave. I also got a call from Bruce at Jackson Plumbing and Heating to meet me at my house to quote on a new furnace. There is a $2000 rebate available so I want to take advantage as everyone who comes to see my furnace almost gasps at the fact it is still running as it is from 1980. Bruce is sure it will be far more efficient and quieter. He also will include the cost of the coil to be installed for Air conditioning which would make this place livable in the summer.
Masked up and off to the mall. It is so tempting to window shop but I don’t want to touch things I won’t be buying. I had my nails done, which I love very much and then stopped to buy a couple pairs of Just Cozy leggings which are gorgeous and comfie!
Back to the office to get a lot of work done on a file. Came home and started cooking up some ground beef for nachos which turned out delicious. While I was cooking I was talking with my Mom. It was nice to catch up. After that I called Rosie, my Mom’s cousin. I gave her a photo tour of the renovations and we talked about emotional attachment. I had hung the album of Cher that she had given me when I was young and we talked about attachment to memories and how she is not wired that way. I have come to learn that over the years. I am pretty sure I am attached to things as memories due to the fact that my whole world was blown apart in grade 6 when I found out my Mom was not my mom.To have your core truths shifted is sure to make a shift in your life perceptions. It was nice to just relax and catch up tonight.
I got up at 2:30 in the morning to again call out the door for Missy. She used up her ability to go out in the evening but at least she came back. She did meow to go out this afternoon but once back in did not ask to go out this evening so maybe she taught herself a lesson. I got some random things done to day including giving two coats of varathane to the underside of the island countertop, flipped it and attached it and got two coats on the top. Will sand it and give it al least one more coat soon. I finally put my first ‘real’ album, which I received from my cousin Rosie when I was a kid, into the album frame Jake had given me some time ago. Cher’s Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves is well worn from all my playing.
In between laundry loads and coats of varathane I went to Home Depot to pick up the light I fell in love with yesterday. Having slept on it I knew I still wanted it. Also went to Home Hardware and picked up the paint for the doors – next can is free!! I found a dimmer I had bought on sale and decided to take the time to change out the two outdoor switches and the kitchen and dining room while I was at it. They were in the wrong order and there was a dimmer on the ceiling fan which made it vibrate weird if you used it so I swapped it out for a regular switch. I love the new light and although it took a while due to my fear of vertigo while working on a ladder it was so worth it. Don’t even get me started about whoever thought it was a good idea to panel over the switches.
The other thing I feel very good about is that I accomplished all things today solo. Take that Asshat Mansplainer from Friday. All I need to do now is attach and paint the back panel on the island and cut the legs down a bit on my new to me stools I picked up yesterday. (And finish painting the cupboards and doors, and trim out the window, and completely redo the cupboard on the other side of the room, haha)
triumphgal 