triumphgal

I filed my last mandatory government filing for the month tonight. I caught a big mistake I had made in time to fix it thankfully. And it was in the client’s favour which is even better. A good part of my day was taken up with client’s old and new. I look forward to having visits and conversations that don’t feel pressured or shortened by deadlines. I know I have been burning the proverbial candle as I am feeling run down and as if I am fighting a cold. I have time over the next two days to work on a really big project for one of the partners that I am more skilled to do. It is my gift to them as I leave that I have managed to keep time to work on it and I really hope to get far on it. The cold feeling exacerbates the inflammation issue I am having. I hope sleep will help. I have also offered a bit of money to young Leyton to help me on Saturday around the yard for a bit and then at the theatre in the tech room. My foot set me back and I need to get more off the list.

My poor pumpkin froze and then it must have warmed up a fair amount today as the snow is gone out of the yard. Now it is ‘melting’ as well.

My nail polish remover started my day with a smile when I opened the lid to find an Imperial Fighter

It occurred to me tonight that I have random taste in …. everything from lovers, to music, to movies. I was contemplating that I enjoy Hallmark movies, Deadpool, classic black and white, Marvel movies, Kill Bill, and Pixar. I can’t even begin to explain my random taste in music. Books may be the easiest to classify as Stephen King and biographies are my favourite.

Today was full as always, waking up and at my desk before 7 again. My client, Steven, came to drop things on his way through from Fruitvale, my daughter Ashlée and I made a trip to the bank together to cash a cheque that I didn’t need to be there for after all and I had a tiff with my closest friend here in Cranbrook. I ended the day clearing up a few issues at The Firm and went to my Community Theatre Board Meeting which went on a little longer than normal, but a lot was accomplished.

All of that was washed away by my sleepiness and the voices I recognize in a moment. This Is Us is back on, the Big Three are 40 and it is fascinating to watch a show that is honestly dealing with Covid. And racism and dementia and disabilities.

I am trusting that in the big scheme of things love conquers all, that friendship trumps a bad day or a difference of opinion, that Throbby Bobby will get to play Patchwork again with Achey Backy Bestie.

I made it home after 9 tonight, and a good indicator of my tired soul is that I burst into tears when I opened the fridge to see last nights leftovers i had forgotten about. Rice Pilaf with Tuna was exactly what I needed. I am stuffed up like a cold is trying to settle in but I know it is just burn out. I am trying to keep too many people happy right now. The only break I took in that 12 plus hour day was to write an exam to renew my Serve It Right certification so that I can continue to bartender for volunteer organizations like the Key City Theatre. I got it originally in 2007 for some reason and it had no expiry date but they wisely changed that and I expired Sept 14th. I will be honest I just booted through it and got 80%. I will reread the manual when I have time. I ate my leftovers and watched part one of the Big Brother Finale. It is hard to know my son in law is stressed as his dad had a violent outburst in the retirement home today. His break with reality is so bad. He is at the hospital now as they try to figure out what is going on.

It is hard to hear that we are going back into more restrictions as the virus is ramping up. There will be no Halloween parties or Gatherings outside of your family and the selected 6, it scares me.

I awoke after a decent sleep to a beautiful morning and a mama Doe in the yard with a couple of naughty kids. I watched one being annoyed and butting the other away and then realized I should film. I just became entranced watching them eat all the Willow leaves. Mom left them there and only one figured out to go out the way they came in. I hope she didn’t get hurt trying to get through, she hit so hard she moved the fence post.

Sunday Morning

Leyton had to cancel coming to help me so I was happy that I was able to say yes to Danika when invited me to join her and Emmy on a ride to Marysville. While I was getting ready I told time to schedule a service call to fix my new machine. I had tried most of the options I saw on Google but didn’t want to void my warranty. I opened the lid and unplugged it while I was away. We picked up a bench she purchased and then headed to the Platzl in Kimberley to find lunch. Ended up at The Stonefire Grill which is a bit expensive but it was delicious and I get a whole second meal out of my pizza tomorrow. Had a cranberry mimosa that was nummy as well. Taking pics of Emmy is challenging these days as she likes to make faces. We were both entranced by the restaurant bathroom. We wandered and checked a few stores. Twas beautiful out. And when I was dropped back off I found my machine works!! I put in a load and headed to work. A bunch of hours later I had moved mountains and made my way home. Only three loads more and all my laundry was done finally. So grateful. Spent the evening trying to decide what kitchen sink I want. It is complicated by the fact that the cabinets are only 24” deep. I think I will know exactly what I want once I see the counter tops.

My friend Sarah sent me pictures of ‘my’ tree in Bella Bella which has some cool fungus growth at the moment.

The other highlight of the day was being able to put on my Blundstones again to go to work, and my Throbby Bobby didn’t complain too much. I think I am done with the air cast. Only 3 weeks early, that feels good. I also watched last nights SNL and laughed so hard at the spoof of the Village People reaction to Trump using their song. I was pretty impressed with Adele’s ability to mock herself as well.

I crawled out of bed and threw on long johns, flannel and a hat and gloves to go out and start a fire and get set up for my ABC Zoom session. It was incredibly gorgeous out and -10 Celsius or 14 F. I really enjoyed catching up with everyone who could make it. Do really miss the Hearndens and am sad they were busy renovating and couldn’t make it. I look forward to seeing the results of their work though. It is voting day in BC and I had already done a mail in vote. It will take a while they say for actual results as the mail in votes have to all be verified to ensure no one got to vote twice.

Stopped to taste test and put my next batches of wine down. I have a plan for Christmas so had to get it done and Bill at Grapes and Suds was super helpful.

Next was to go to Home Depot and pick out the last of the things I need to do my bathroom. I wanted to be sure everything is available locally. It took a while but I think I have décided

I was surprised how many friends I ran into while I was there. It has been too long since I have had interaction with Shannon and Allison, funny to run into Sanjay and Candice as that is the only place I do, great to see Shea at work and a good laugh seeing Brett who I hung out with last night and never see except at the office usually.

From there I went to work and got a great deal done but didn’t look up to see it had gotten dark and it was nearly 8 p.m. I came home to get my washer hooked up and try to get some laundry done but it isn’t working properly. I am going to let it sit overnight and hopefully it will reset. The dryer works fine but the washer won’t. I hope I just confused it figuring it out and tomorrow it will be fine. I do not want to have to claim warranty!!

I picked up a cute mask for Halloween today as well. You will all agree it suits me perfectly.

By the time I walked out to my car the snow had begun, when I returned from work it had ended and there was an icy crust over everything.

Today was filled with stressful deadlines and encouraging texts and email. Seems word is out that I am freelancing… I need to be careful not to overcommit but I am so grateful for the superlatives being thrown my way. I know I have made the right decision. To stand on your own takes courage.I have been subject to many attempts to stifle me in the past, I am now grateful that I am the only one who can stand in my way.

After work I went to Campbells to visit with the Watson’s and enjoy our person pizza orders. Panago knocks that one out of the park for only 7.50. It was so fun to play with Morgan and visit with everyone. Aiden really enjoyed showing us his Halloween costume. He found some great 80s clothes and plans to go as a used car salesman. He cracks me up completely as he owns the fun of it. 16 and ready to have fun. We may also have introduced him to Oban tonight. Shame he won’t be able to afford it for a long time….

I got a message from young Leyton, looking for work again, offered to shovel. I don’t think it’s a thing I will pay for but I do need help putting the bag on the mattress so he is coming over tomorrow.

I had a good time, we played some crib, and off I came home to sweep my way in. I had a cheers with Brett and Sean for my Dad’s memory and then had a sip of the stupid expensive stuff when I got home.

PS I noticed from my stats that a few are reading along from South Africa, that’s cool! Welcome aboard!

As shit gets real and others are not even attempting to see the big picture, as communication once again fails, as life moves on and the river flows (or circles as a character i once knew would say), I need to remember to rise above. I grew up with that, Roger Whittaker was often heard wafting though the house:

‘If’

If you can keep your head when all about you 
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you 
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, 
Or being hated, don't don't give way to hating, 
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: 

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; 
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; 
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster 
And treat those two imposters just the same; 
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken 
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 
And lose, and start again at your beginnings 
And never breathe a word about your loss; 
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew 
To serve your turn long after they are gone, 
And so hold on when there is nothing in you 
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, 
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, 
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, 
If all men count with you, but none too much; 
If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, 
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, 
And - which is more - you'll be a man, my son! 

Rudyard Kipling 

Today the plumber came to see what could be done to move the service for my new washer/dryer combo. Justin from Just in Time (clever) seems great and we have made a plan going forward. I had fun with Diane playing Patchwork after dinner and then we watched the US presidential debate which was much more civil than the last one. It will finally be over soon.

Did have a good giggle when we decided to refer to my Big Toe as Bobby from now on. My daughter Rae had asked how it was and I’d said it was Throbbing Bobby for some reason and now it just seems right

I have such a work load that I am waking up at 5 thinking about client’s books which then leads me to get up and get to the office before 7. May as well be getting it done rather than laying around stewing about it . I did over a 10 hour day when all was said and done which was less than the last two days!

Yesterday was the anniversary of my Grandad Ernie Bellavance’s birth in 1905 or Ought 5 as he would tell me. I loved him deeply and had a hard time transitioning him. He was so incredibly dedicated to his family. If he loved you you could do no wrong. I glance around my home and see several tables/stools that he made. Woodworking was his specialty.

Today is the second anniversary of my daughter Ashlée and her husband Ken. In honour I wore the sparkly earrings I wore to their wedding. That was such a beautiful and fun day!

My day was so satisfying. I have nearly all the contracts signed and files moved from clients that are choosing to stay with me. I am working hard to leave all files in a way that people will be happy to take them over. When I started at the Firm nearly 3 years ago there was much to fix and catch up on. I don’t want the next person to have that stress level. The people surrounding me now are so supportive and kind. I am not used to that and am still regularly caught off guard. I hope that soon I will not wonder what they want when they are nice. It is a real blessing to have different people offer to drive me around, make sure I am eating and bring me a coffee or a donut! I opened a clients file to find a crayon. I sent him the pic and he said that seemed right and she’d probably blame him when she couldn’t find it, lol

Jake had warned me when he was here not to try the McGriddle. Sean went and got us brunch and I got the bacon one…. OMG so may points but soooo worth it. Jake was right though, I have to avoid McDs now. Later, Cindy brought me a Timmie’s Honey Crueller, my only favourite from there. And then for dinner Diane outdid herself with Southern Fried chicken burgers from scratch. I believe I have used up the Weight Watcher Points for the whole week but so worth it!!

Dr Dan’s office called today to set up the appointment for next Friday! I hesitated and when she asked why I explained the Firm was having a lunch for me that day so she booked me the following Friday! How cool is that, I am truly grateful.

I was in the middle of a crazy reconciliation when Diane FaceTimed to see where I was. I shut it down and headed to my place to meet Sean as he had offered to come help put my bike away before the second round of forecast snow. It was honestly funny to see him realize how heavy my bike is and it was challenging for me to accept the help and remain calm while someone else handled my ride, even if it was just pushing it.

While we were moving the bike we came to notice my yard has turned into a feces museum. I do not have yard pooping pets yet we saw at least 4 significantly different size and styles. For sure deer and small dog but a couple seemed almost bearlike… which is human like…

Dinner and games of crib and Patchwork followed. It was lovely and a nice break for my screen weary brain. I do believe I will sleep well tonight.

Whether at work or play, along the way, through the years I have had the gift of meeting incredible, regular human beings. They live their lives not expecting to leave an impression on your soul. Kevin and Julie Porter and their two sons are a family that were clients of the firm I worked for in the lower mainland. I was sent to assist and train in bookkeeping. This was back in 2010 or 2011. We quickly became friends and I had the joy of dinners at their home, nights out with Julie and more than just a work relationship. It was hard to move away and know someone would replace me. What I should have known is the friendship would outlast the work relationship. It is so many years later and we had a FaceTime today where she showed me she still has my reminder notes up around her workspace. I still use the Tupperware lunch set she gave me 🙂 and miss our date nights. They are blessing me with a deal beyond deal on my countertops and I admit I teared up when she told me. Again people, if you need countertops, go see Porter-Hill in Surrey!!! Tell them Marnée sent you!

I was awake at 5 this morning, tried to relax but was at my desk by 7:30. I was able to complete the Financial Statements for a company that hasn’t had regular accurate ones in a while. I accepted the verbal pat on the back from the General Manager and am grateful I worked the weekend away to get them ready. I am slowly bringing everything up to current for all the clients I have picked up and feel that after October I will have a normal work flow that I can manage and take time off when I need it. I am blessed to have a manageable number of Firm clients wanting to stay with me and they are all ones I have good relationship with over the nearly three years I have been working there. Only 8 business days to wrap it all up, contracts are being signed, accesses confirmed, etc.

I do have a bit of anxiety that I will drop the ball on something but that is just making me more organized, the queen of lists. I am grateful for the support of those at the Firm helping to make this transition easier as well. I was very happy to hear from Dr Dan, the Internist today. I have not been feeling 100% since before Halloween last year. He agrees that we need to do an endoscopy and he will have his office set it up within the month when he comes to town. It will be a relief to find something out one way or the other.

I wore my cast today although I did put on the one sandal I got hurt while I was wearing it. It was the ultimate sock and sandal moment. I just wore it to drive and then booted up which has left it a lot less throbby tonight. It is odd but I wonder if the nail will actually fall off. It feels nearly normal already unless I unthinkingly bend it as it is still a break and sprain that is healing.

I am clearly very pragmatic these days as my mail held a mattress bag for the summer bedroom mattress, a new shower curtain and a Fitbit One and accessories.

The deer got my last sunflower but I am super impressed with the resilience of some of the flowers in my garden, both to the deer and the snow.

I stayed at the office until nearly 7 getting all my ducks in a row so by the time I got home I made tacos with leftover ground turkey and retried beans. A little Havarti, lettuce and tomatoes and I was sated. I finished the evening having a catch up FaceTime with Diane. Can’t believe it’s been days! The end of my toe is tingling, that weird healing time when nerves must be reconnecting.. time to take it to bed.

Today was honestly the second time i have picked out countertop via media rather than in person. Porter-Hill Countertops in Surrey BC are my go to . Not only do they do great work but Kevin and Julie are delightful human beings. I send them my measurements, photos of the surrounding colours and Julie suggests one or two that I always find easy to choose from. I look forward to the next stage of my Renovation. The plumber is supposed to come on Thursday to move the laundry service and then soon the other appliances will come. I have to follow up with Home Depot though as I should have received my sliding doors by now. I drove to work today and wore sturdy slippers but it wasn’t enough, my foot is tingling tonight. I suppose it could be coincidental as things may just be reconnecting and healing. It does feel like I should keep wearing the cast in the day after all. Came home and made a delicious pork tenderloin and edamame in the oven. Only 2 points on my Weight Watchers plan! I may have used up the rest sipping rum though. I know I should quit drinking and I will lose weight. I also suspect that is what the specialist may say. I finally have a phone consult tomorrow with an internist to find out what has caused the inflammation issues for over a year. I hope we can get to the bottom of it. This afternoon there was a zoom meeting for the volunteers of Key City Theatre, and then this evening was the AGM. and I DID NOT STAND FOR THE BOARD!!! Lol, I feel strongly about my connection to the space but did not feel the need to create a trifecta of arts boards. Theatre, Music and strata are enough for now. It was great to catch up on everything going on and Landon, the President had asked to share a quote from my Facebook in his president’s report about my reaction to Chantal Kreviazuk. That was cool.

Running to the altar like a track star

Body like a back road, i know every curve like the back of my hand

If the world was ending, you’d come over, right?

Is there anyone out there, its getting harder and harder to breathe

Picture perfect, you don’t need no filter

You’re my motorcycle mama and i love you like no other

What’s this, what’s this, there’s color everywhere

Now you’re just somebody that i used to know

But i still haven’t found what I’m looking for

And on and on the list goes, the lines that jump out and connect me to the song, the moment, no distraction. I rarely work in silence and music drives me, keeps me grounded, and often just nails the description perfectly.

This morning i stayed in bed for a while listening to the softness and just knowing it had to have snowed. As it happened it was still coming down,

I decided to try driving today. I didn’t wear my air cast while driving but put it back on to walk around and it seemed to be ok. I worked for 5 hours or so and then made my way to Rae’s to go with her and the two middle boys to see Nightmare Before Christmas at the movie theatre. It has been a very long time since I’ve gone there and it was a real treat to see the movie that amazed me the first time I saw it. When I was in Disney world in 1993 I saw the sets and characters for the stop-motion filming. It fascinated me and I was intrigued by the story and the characters. It was many years later when I was on a bus headed through New Westminster that stopped in front of the $2 theatre and the marquee said the movie was starting in a few minutes. I jumped off the bus and went to a movie solo for the first time. I loved it and have been a great fan of the characters all along. Today was such a treat and it was as if I had never seen it before. Funny it only cost $5 to see it all these years later.

I feel like I am fighting off a cold, am resting and glad that i worked this weekend to get further ahead.

Rae picked me up and dropped me at the office so I could get ahead of things for the busy week ahead. I was there for 5.5 hours and probably could have kept going, it was so satisfying to just work uninterrupted and get payroll and reconciling done. Jake picked me up and brought me to Rae’s where he is staying as tomorrow he goes back to Vancouver. Ken and Ashlée showed up as well and we all had a nice visit. It was fun to take turns using Jake’s new VR game. I looked it up on my phone as I am interested. Later in the evening I had an ad on Facebook for it. My toe feels so much better. You can hardly tell the terrible damage that was done only two weeks earlier. I may still use the cast for protection but plan to drive myself to the office tomorrow. The challenge will be finding the footwear that will fit on without applying pressure to the toe. Jake drove me home and stored his tires behind my shed as he had his studded snows traded on while he was here. It is always hard to say goodbye but he is planning to be back for Christmas.

Hi my name is Marnée… I am an addict… I seem to need to fill a need when I see it. I was filled in a while ago by my friend Maureen about the upcoming Board meeting for the Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society. I enjoy what they do and feel I have skills that would benefit them so I went to the AGM tonight and am now on the Board, lol. I really miss volunteering on a more regular basis since Corona shut down the venues I assisted at. This seems to fill the void of MusicFest and I can be more involved with music locally which makes me happy. I had walked over to the meeting and stopped to take a picture of the art outside the Sun Life building which makes me go hmmm when i pass it.

Earlier in the day Cindy drove me to the Dr to have my stitches removed which was not pleasant. It was easier than the freezing on the day of but both were worse than the actual lion’s bite! It took a couple hours but now feels significantly better with the pressure relieved. I have to be careful not to bend it as that still hurts. Not sure how long I will continue to wear the boot but suspect it will be as long as I am outside my house. I apologized to my Dr for her having to bend down to the floor to tend my foot and joked that even Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. She laughed that no one had compared her to Jesus and it was good for a giggle. It’s looking good considering what happened less than two weeks ago.

After the AGM, Maureen and I went out to Dennys which was a low key nice dinner out. We talked out all the world’s problems and then went to the theatre to make sure the new monitor that was installed today would work for the Church renters on Sunday. It was good to get it done so not to worry about it all weekend. There was some confusion about what needed to be hooked up but seems all good now.

It sits, not so much on my shoulder but somewhere inside, maybe on a kidney, pushing down. I hobble along carrying the extra load, barely aware.. and then I become aware. I first notice the quiet in my responses, the effect on my sleep, the weird dreams. I awake sure I sold my car since I live two blocks from work. (I didn’t and don’t). Depression is the beast that lives under the bed. I never know when I am going to realize it has been creeping up on me. I do know that I have triggers and that the adrenaline rush of being hurt 11 days ago has an impact I can expect, anticipate, but not always quantify. I have had so many great things happen this week, few negatives.. and yet. I feel run down, I have to run all responses through a filter, count to three before reacting. My body is miraculous. It is a fast healer but the action of doing so seems to suck all ability to fight the chemical depression that hovers, waiting to pounce. I have many things holding space in my brain.. work for my own clients, the last of work for the Firm’s clients, Tech Director/Treasurer demands, strata council disfunction acted out from a bully, a renovation delayed due to my injury despite my new tub arriving today, promises made, and on and on and on. I had my X-ray today thanks to Cindy the GroundFloor Manager driving me. Sean and Diane came and picked up my tub to store in their garage for now. I am truly blessed by the community I have accepted and that I am slowly overcoming my severe “I can do it alone”ness. Tomorrow is another day and I will revel in the beauty of the glorious mountains covered in fresh snow, remember that it is fun to be beat by a friend at one of your favourite games and that getting my stitches out may not be as horrible as I fear.

Keri drove me again today including going to pick up pictures I ordered last night for Jake and me. Cranbrook Photo has a great site where you upload and order your photos, receiving an email when they are ready for pickup. I was thrilled that my order had arrived for a new Bluetooth keyboard case for my iPad. I am using it now and it is so much easier to blog with! I like the packaging and message on it.

Jake worked at the space for a while and then left to find that Rae and Roger’s dog, Obie had gone into his room, dug in his bag and found the baggie with one small weed cookie I had given him to help sleep. Obie was found sitting out on the picnic table shivering. Roger came home and took him to the vet where he has to stay the night, have stomach pumped and have an IV, the poor guy! I feel for him, I have greened out before and it is not a pleasant experience.

I completed my mission for the mystery shop and called my organizer to ask how to avoid ghosting the salesman I was dealing with by email. She said just to go ahead and ghost but eventually we agreed I could reply to his email that my plans to purchase acreage and move to Creston had fallen through so I would be buying a tractor at this time. I will say, if I were in the market I would go to Cervus John Deere to buy! I took a break to do some shopping from the fundraiser for Layla’s daughter’s school. Mostly wrapping paper and cards. Slowly getting my Christmas organized. May as well support a good cause. Jake came and drove me home and the first thing I did was go around and document my garden at this Fall moment. I am pleasantly surprised how many things survived the deer and the snow.

I entered the house to be reminded that something had died somewhere. I did all my dishes, cleared out the fridge and took out the garbage. There was a package of chicken thighs with a best before Oct 11 and I think they up and gave up on that day. I cooked them and put them in a cottage cheese container sealed up before putting in the outside garbage, I don’t want to attract bears or any other critters. It still smells in here but incense helps a bit and hopefully it will be gone tomorrow. I HATE WASTING Food. There was also a pack of ground turkey still good so I cooked it up and made nachos for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.

My toe has become super annoying as it is healing. The stitches feel tight and I am more aware of it the last two days. Tomorrow I get an X-ray and then the stitches out on Friday if all looks good.

Today was ordinary in a perfect way. Keri from down the hall at work chauffeured me, I was able to nose down and get a lot done on Firm clients which I am being extra careful to leave set up for who ever takes over. This is in spite of the fact that there are contradictions in what is being said to the clients. Some are being just told I don’t have time for them anymore which leaves me saddened but those who know me understand I am just cutting out the middle women. Jake came in and set up to work for the afternoon. I enjoyed interacting sporadically and introduced him to work mates. The horrible moment in the day was when one of the ladies in the space found out her most longtime best friend had died in a house fire. It was heartbreaking to feel her pain. It began to snow at one point but didn’t stick although one of my clients told me it was accumulating in Kimberley. Diane gave us muffins and I had brought in a dozen mini pumpkin pies so there was lots of numminess.

I ordered food for Jake and me from Family Thai and we brought it back to the house to eat while rewatching The Truman Show. I am fortunate I don’t remember movies except whether I liked them or not, allows me to be thoroughly entertained all over again.

Sure wish I could figure out what the bad smell in my place is.

Jake picked me up around 10 and we went in to my office. I got quite a bit done and after he finished his work he took off to take some photos at Norbury Lake. He returned just in time for me to have finished a file and to meet the rest of the Family for free turkey dinner at Firehall Kitchen And Tap. So much fun and even though we had to have separate seating due to the size of our group, the meal and company was fabulous. I tried the beer on tap called Hot Chocolate from Raven’s Brewing. It was a delicious porter.

Afterwards we made a quick stop at the grocery store (which had an odd dessert) and then dropped me off to complete my mail in vote, and make more mini pumpkin pies which were ready just in time for Jake and Emmy to pick me up for.. wait for it.. turkey dinner at Rae and Rogers! There was some incredible food happening there and we had a great evening. There was much to be thankful for including spending time with all my kids, their partners and kids.

After dinner all the kids headed to bed and we played a game which was not terribly hard to catch on to and fun. Jake drove me home, we had a nice visit and made a plan for tomorrow.

I made an art installation to send to Zoë. Sean and Aiden came and took away the last of my tree pruning branches and dropped me at their house to cook my pumpkin. Diane and I made a run to Safeway and I was quite surprised how many weren’t wearing masks. puréed the pumpkin and made tarts. They turned out delicious. We watched a story of Foyle’s War. My step- mom used to watch it and talk about it. I can see why she liked it. Zoë did my hair, created a Wii Mii and then we had a delicious ham dinner. After that we moved downstairs and watched Ever after. I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before. Quite enjoyed it. Thankful for them, I am.

friday night I was called by the company I occasionally do mystery shopping for and they had an urgent need to cover some jobs in Creston (an hour away), one of which had to be done by someone between 55 & 65. I accepted and then spent Saturday morning trying to recruit someone to drive me. I offered to use my car and buy lunch and ultimately my son-in-law, Ken agreed to go. I was so happy. He was super chill and patient while I got my paperwork in order, studied the scenarios and prepped. All three were quite different but only one involved outright making up a character. I was able to draw on just enough of my own truth to pull it off. I would go into more detail but it is an ongoing scenario. Stay tuned next week. The two gas station ones were easier and the employees were super nice. It was made all a little more difficult of course because of my air cast and the fact that the sky opened up. Pounding rain!! we need the rain but at one point it was a bit much. I did stop at a Farm stand and buy cukes, small cooking pumpkins and Fuji apples. Ken and I had some great chats and finally we were on our way back to Cranbrook. Just before Yahk, my phone rang and it was Jake who had just passed us on his way up from Vancouver.

By the time I settled on the couch for the evening I was exhausted. I had put on over 3000 steps and my leg could feel it. I also noticed this morning that I had a bruise on my other leg likely caused by the boot in my sleep. I decided to give in to the tired and just put a sock over my toe and went to bed before 10 which is early for me.