My countdown app told me it’s 100 days to Rome so I knew it was time to share the upcoming adventure on Facebook.
It has actually gotten me more excited about the whole idea. I was also thrilled when Wendy reached out considering to join for a part of the cruise with her sister-in-law. I connected her with my travel specialist to see what the options are. That would be so fun to have her along for even a week.
I worked hard today and then I stopped to see Elva just as she was closing up her shop and we sat and had a couple of glasses of wine and a great visit. It’s so funny that we had a moment back when we first met and she was volunteering for summer sounds because of a miscommunication. We dealt with it as adults and have been good friends ever since. I love saying goodbye, I love you, to my friends. her husband, Paul is also one of the most awesome men that I know he looks you in the eyes, smiles and listens and ask questions and cares about who you are. There is no pretense. It is good to have friends like the two of them.
I got home and continued watching down to earth with Zac Efron the down under season. I’m really enjoying learning more and more about Australia and aboriginals and Eco culture down there. it’s also not hard to listen to Zac and watch him scuba diving on the great barrier reef.
I was thrilled to get home and see that my Hollyhocks are in Bloom. I used my tomato frames this year as they were growing up so that they are actually standing up tall, for now. they’re so beautiful.
I did notice today that I have not been paying attention to my raspberries and they are bearing a great deal of fruit. I pick just the ones that were very ripe and they were a delicious treat. They harvest should be bountiful this year given how many are still ripening. I planted them two years ago I think? In any case the timer with a drip watering system to them seems to be making a huge difference.
While I was watching the show tonight, I decided to build C-3PO. It is getting late so I had to stop, but there are only two bags of parts left and I think he’s marvelous. 
I also noted that I have a significant number about to roll over to do with this blog. Not bad for a 62-year-old with a daily ramble and a weird little life. 
Widgets on my phone lock screen
Haha, just looked over and realized I had his head spun backwards
Honestly, the rest of the day doesn’t matter. After mailing off a blankie that I made for my soon to be born great nephew (forgot to take a pic) I came home and made some dinner and lunch for tomorrow.
I then settled down and watched the secret millionnaire as I completed my Lego project. Chewbacca and Ewoks are my favourite characters in Star Wars Universe. I think the Mandalorian is incredible and my first loves were C3 PO and R2 D2 but chewiee will always have my heart.
I realized after I took the picture that I had the little Chewbacca head on backwards, but it is late and I am tired and I’ve already put them up on the top shelf the only place he will fit.
Today was a minimal chores, maximum Lego day. I watched half a season of Highway Thru Hell, the second half of rogue one and now million dollar secret. I love that watching was done while I was building Lego.
I got up and went outside to reset my tarp that had blown off the shed holding my Jeep and other important items as it was raining. Mixed mist of the branches off the lawn as well. Sat and watched Season one of Andor again so I could understand better season two. I sat and finished sorting all the bits and bobbles left covering my dining table so that I could use it again. Made a nice dinner and watched the second season as I built my Pixar Lamp.
Unfortunately I managed to break a wire in the remote controlled light bulb so will have to wait for a new part to come.
Honestly, I’m just glad that it’s Friday because I am so tired. It is only 7 o’clock at night and I can’t hardly keep my eyes. I have started re-watching Andor because I lost track of things as it took so long to come to the next season.
I’m just tired so tired. I drove through A&W and felt compelled to pay for the Kirby. I make too and now I’m at home in my chair where I may live for the next couple days lol. Have a great weekend though.
One of these was more challenging than the others to attend. I am grateful that my friend Brett was able to join me. We sat and chatted, had a couple beer, and I crocheted while we listened to the music.
There were many who asked me questions that I couldn’t answer, but I was able to point out who to ask. Stepping back from an organization that I have been involved with for over 6 years is not easy. I do enjoy Ethan Askey and the Elevators though!
I got a lot of work done today in spite of the time it took to go get Mom and bring her to the dentist this afternoon.
It was totally worth it going, though as first I saw some wildlife outside her place and then a cowboy while I was waiting for her. I admit to love in the sound as he walked in.
I dropped her off and was heading back to work when a storm hit. As I was driving up seventh Avenue towards the office, I saw two huge lightning forks and then some sheet lightning in the distance. The sky was rolling and gray, and the wind picked up terribly. By the time I left the office to come home it was blue sky, and beautiful. My yard however, showed the results.
Managed to get the light reattach properly on the post, but it was so hot out that I couldn’t deal with trying to re-tarp my jeep shed. It’s not supposed to rain so I will deal with it likely on the weekend.
I had a decent sleep, got up and crocheted a little before getting myself together and heading out to Moyer to hang with the fam for a little while. It was a beautifully perfect day, extremely hot, though nice to be in the breeze by the lake.
Came back and went to shoppers to collect the extra points for the day and load up with easy lunches.
Once I got home, I relaxed in out of the sun watching season five of YOU until Will arrived to earn some coin, mowing the lawn and helping me weeding and mulching and taking down the lights that didn’t work and stringing the ones up that do in my tree. He never complained at all and we got it done.
Seriously how is it possible that half of 2025 is gone already?!
I went to the office, which was very peaceful today and got a lot done. I listen to Jake’s podcast while I worked called help lines all the things that need to be done and then was planning to come home and mow my lawn, but it was 30+ degrees so I stopped at Fenwick & baker. We ended up having an interesting chat with a guy beside me at the bar. 
As it was the first conversation and I was not in a mood to entirely argue, I had a civil conversation let him speak his peace and lay down a few things about myself and how I disagree with him. It was very civil, but I suspect it may be less so the second time around. Hard to believe this philosophy, major lives here in Cranbrook.
I did have a lovely visit with my friend Jim, who has been very sick of recent and has decided to give his notice at the Baker Hotel and move to Grand Prairie to live with his daughter. He is 61 this year and has lived a full life. It will be good for him to go be with family, although I will miss him.
I got up at a decent time got myself ready and went and met Emmy, Jake and Ashley at Elizabeth Lake Lodge, where they have Hawaiian shaved ice. Jake treated us and we had a nice little visit. We stopped at my place to give Ashlée my railroad watch. Jake and Ashlée are the only two people that I know that don’t wear smart watches. I want to make sure this watch that is special to me stays in the family. Ashlée is going to take it to a watch person in Edmonton and see what it would cost to get a new crystal on it and a new battery. And then she will decide if she is comfortable with the size of it and the cost. Otherwise, Jake will take it and add it to his watch collection.
The professional photographer posted some pictures today from the grad walk last night before prom, which I was unable to attend. Gene and Charlie look fabulous as do Jake and Chenia.
I spent some time this afternoon, putting the brackets up in the pool so that my gate hangs straight and opens properly and put it around doing a bit of yardwork and house work before it was time to get out of the heat so I have been sitting crocheting and doing laundry, etc. It was a good relaxed necessary kind of day for me.
It was nice to have a good sleep in my own bed. I meant to get myself to the Guedes’s house in time to say goodbye to Haylee and Jack. she is the daughter of Roger’s oldest sibling, Travis, who passed from cancer years ago. I have not seen her since she was quite a bit younger on Salt Spring Island and it was such a pleasure to spend some time with her. She is a lovely young lady and her boyfriend Jack is also very sweet.
Gene showed me that his Fluevog are starting to separate a bit at the toes so I’ve got a follow up and see what can be done
10 of us went to see Lilo and Stitch. I quite enjoyed it. Rae still feels that the original is the best and it is one of her favorites.
I had a brainstorm to buy three large popcorn for $30 and ask for small bags for the kids so that I can split it between everybody.
After the movie, Jake, who had taken my car and gone to Hot Shots to do some work, came back and he and Emmy and I went to Shoe Co to see if they were yellow crocs, which she desires. There were not, unfortunately. Ashlée picked us up at the mall and we went and had a short visit with GG. We are all still pretty annoyed with her that she wouldn’t come out for the family dinner visit after grad. Her excuse is that she doesn’t like crowds. She’s cutting herself off but expects people to bring her things and do what she needs.
Once back at the house. We played a game of Outsmarted in teams and it was fun. Jake and Emmy were ’Outfarted’ and they won
It was nice to hang around out in the yard and visit. It was a lovely surprise when Diana popped by to bring Gene a grad card.
I popped home to pick up materials to crochet a blanket for Maia‘s baby and then to Safeway for zucchini. Roger loves his wife very much and it is their anniversary and one of her favourite food foods is grilled zucchini. Bill supplied some amazing steaks and we had a delicious dinner followed by Bill’s homemade rhubarb pie.
Tanner, Rae’s friend, showed up for a visit. She is working in Castlegar now it is good to have her closer than Winnipeg. Her and Jake got into a battle of asking Alexa to play songs to annoy each other. The constant changing of songs every 30 seconds was making me crazy so I said goodbye to the Knights who will be leaving in the morning and took my leave. I am loving her beautiful. My tiger lilies are even though they were dug up to do the walkway.
I slept very decent last night, but I’m still tired. I dragged myself to the office got everything done that I needed to and then headed to the first Ed Fest meeting. Unfortunately, there were only five of us there, and I am still trying to define my role in helping it to succeed. Galen was very complementary in expressing that my experience with festivals is a great value.
I went to the kids house to await them all coming home and Roger had made an incredible dinner and we all hung out again as Gene and his friends headed off to prom. I didn’t get a picture of him with his date Charlie, but I did get a good one of Jake and Chenia. It was cute seeing her fit her beautiful dress into his dad’s Porsche. I admit to being very happy to see that Gene was wearing his Fluevogs that I got him.
Emmy and I played a fun game. It amuse me that they actually had a warning on the box that you needed to know English well.
I purchased tickets for nine of us to all see Lilo and Stitch tomorrow and then came home to collapse in my chair. I should be putting away all the stuff from my trip and doing laundry and things, but I am weary. This has been a very long stretch of people. It is a good exhausted, but it is exhausted nonetheless.
Missy definitely missed me as she is not in the habit of sitting in my lap
Woke up at 5, sigh. We got ready, loaded the car after breakfast and headed out.
First stop was Costco. It was good to grab a bunch of staples and a new lawn chair. Next was Chinook Centre to hit up the Lego store where I grabbed a few fave items
We headed out of town and stopped in Nanton for Subway and Zoomed in to the Rotary lunch to listen to Chenia the valedictorian who won our scholarship. The sound was terrible. We did clearly hear Steve Roberge who had arrived there with Denise from Calgary on their way home to Coeur d’Alene. He fulfilled wish #2 (#1 had been giving me his flag pin) by telling the club that Leanne and I were the best Rotarians ever and that we would explain when we returned. We both had a great laugh. I’m sure it left the club wondering.
We made it back to Leanne’s to unload her by just after 4 and then I headed to Western Financial for the grad ceremony. Thankfully enough seats were saved. It was great to see so many kids of clients and friends as well as Gene’s besties cross the stage.
Leanne’s nephew
A ripped home and unloaded the car with the help of Tracey before going over to the house for the family party. It’s so amazing that Roger sister and her family came up from Washington State and his niece and her boyfriend came from Salt Spring Island. There were friends of the family and a lovely surprise of Brenda Tyson the middle school principal who came to the party because she just loves this clan of ours. I enjoyed visiting with her and all of us getting pictures taken and then I drove her home around nine as we were both very tired and honestly, I’m pretty peopled out. Jake and Emmy decided to stay at Bill and Deanne’s tonight as they have the room at my place is a bit of a muzzle from just unloading the car everywhere. I will have them over Saturday night for sure.
This day was less jammed than others but still so full of learning and connections I want to fill in all the blanks but I risk not getting anything done so here is a big dump and I will try to circle back. I did speak at both my breakout sessions and was thrilled to connect with Joan from the meeting I attended in Vancouver in May.
I kept intuitively trying to leave the loo via the wrong door BananaMrs Bromley was the bestMy view from the stage Nigerian DG with the best storyPancreatic Cancer is a bitchI wish I could afford to goIncredible human!!!!Nobel prize winner!Hunter BrothersKorean connection Castle air bnbMmmmmmRotary Power Rangers!Train! (Glad Leanne drove back!)Me, Heidi,Leanne, Bridgett, Denise
That’s me!
Invite to Taipei
It seemed like only moments after declaring to Leanne that all skepticism was gone, that I had not drunk the Kool-Aid…. I was concerned about the ‘kkk’. That may be overstating but it was certainly unnerving and disappointing
Hunter Brothers
Following the closing of the event, we joined The Roberge’s on a tour of the Keyes Airbnb castle. I was scared to sit in the furniture. Dinner at Nash (the old national hotel) was exquisite. I know we have made good friends and I was grateful that Steve gave me his two country pin. He did border on a little bit creepy tonight though.
This may be just a lot of photos and videos as today seemed three days long. I enjoyed my breakout sessions, had so many chats and connections, laughs and apologies (from Americans), and requests to take a picture of the back of my shirt (the one with Rotarian ‘at work’ crossed out and ‘at play’ written in)
Hotel is getting ready for Stampede
The opening session speakers were remarkable! I loved hearing their passionate tales of overcoming polio and cervical cancer, two completely preventable diseases now.
David Keyes, our District Governor Elect, and I had several great chats and I mentioned that I loved seeing us describes as People of Action. I dared to add that We are people of actions rather than Facebook Reactions.
The session started and ended late so I booked it over to the HOF to see Over the Moon perform. I could only stay for one song as I needed to eat. It was great to see and hear them again
My breakout sessions were extremely interesting and I look forward to applying them at home.
We all met up for a bit in what has become our living room before heading to the Peace Park for a hands across the border moment followed by a District 5080 photo with as many as we could muster. Poor Heidi had a bad asthma attack when she ran to try and make the picture
The evening finished off with 5 of us in the VIP (included food) and 3 in the regular seats for the Rotary Western Showcase, complete with barrel racing, bronco riding and more. I was mad to have missed video of the hoop dancer.
My favourite pic that I’ve taken this week. The showcase winners
This was an exhausting yet amazing day in which I woke up far too early so got up and at it. Packed last nights treats in my bag for the day. Another Uber, this time through traffic. I herded all the kittens to our seats together for the group session. First up after intros by Nacho and Sam was John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International. It was interesting to see how aligned we are with the UN
Next up was Dr Truglio complete with Elmo and his Dad!
RYLA talk, game show and now Dr Hayhoe about the environment
We took a Karaoke stretch break.
(OK, I’m about ready to lose it because I had everything ready to go and upload it and it went back to the previous update and I think there’s just too many people on the Internet here so I’m going to try to upload more tomorrow in the meantime please enjoy the video of Geena Davis)
And then it was time for my personal hero. I have always wanted to be her, lol.
I spent my two breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon learning more about AI and the best use of it for club purposes, especially since I’m taking over archiving, etc. I met some interesting people along the way several from Vancouver Island, and others from North Carolina and Virginia.
Our MC Nacho!
I connected with Rick and Leanne and we decided to head back to the hotel for dinner and I’m more relaxed evening. Rick treated which was lovely of him, and after they went up to bed, I settled for an episode of Endor and a martini. Was a lovely way to end a very full day.
Neither of us slept well so we were up and ready as dawn was breaking. We headed to the hotel to meet Rick, drop off our stuff in his room, and then have breakfast before catching an Uber to the convention site.
We met up with the Roberges, accidentally which was awesome, then found Ed & Jennie, David & Marlisa to grab seats with for the first session Opening Ceremonies. It was fun to spot ‘our Lorne’ go by three times as a flag bearer. The speakers were very good, the dancers a little riské and David LaMotte was fabulous.
Premier Danielle Smith
I have a video of Danielle Smith’s live speech but it is too long to upload tonight. Must sleep (done!)
Afterward we got in line for the free pancake breakfast. These folks are all volunteers who put it on and do so for Stampede and other big events.
This was followed by a trip to the casino for a break. Rick played blackjack and I won on a slot that I have only ever played online
Leanne and I wandered to the House of Friendship while Rick attended the second session of the opening ceremonies. I found some great branded clothing and pins and paid for a lifetime membership to the Whiskey Fellowship. ($100 US) we returned to the casino for some food and I put my pins on my hat.
I then got a text from Denise and we went to find them in the 2nd floor bar. I plugged in my phone and watch to charge and we all had a fun visit
We next headed over to the venue for the Rock Show. We saved a table for 10 of us and there was much dancing and laughter The drinks were 26.99 for a double rum and coke!!!!!
I was fading fast and was glad when the Uber was called and Rick got us back to the hotel so we could check in. It was a wonderful long day. Time to sleep so we can do it all again tomorrow
It was pounding down rain for the whole set-up and procession of the parade.
William
I was drenched through three layers, except my feet stayed dry and I am very grateful.
I got home, took a hot shower, packed my car and headed to pick up Leanne. Our trip to Calgary was ‘interesting’ as it rained and then snowed like crazy. I felt bad for all the people with summer tires pulling trailers.
Once we arrived we headed to the BMO Centre to register and just had time to pick up my Cowboy hat before going g to Leanne’s cousin Sarah’s where we are staying for this first night.
Boyfriend Cam drove and daughter Danica joined us at a lovely restaurant called, The Livingroom. Good conversation and food made for a lovely evening
It cracks me up how much Cam reminds me of Jeff Crozier
Sarah’s place has a lovely view
My body and hand are aching a bit and I glanced down to see that when I tripped on my treadmill, it was as bad as it felt, leaving a big bruise
Had a struggle to sleep again last night, but I did manage to get up and at the office by just after 10 in order to engage with everyone for Keri‘s 50th birthday party surprise. The party was awesome. The food was ridiculous and the gift was very well received. I had wanted to leave the office early however they were still audit questions very very late for one of my clients so I had to deal with that before. I finally left in time for my 330 pedicure and now I am very tired, even though I’m working still getting the things sorted and put away before Jake gets here. It is rainy and nasty and there’s a horrible dip in my driveway that they were supposed to fix this week, but I have not returned to Do so. I am not happy considering how much I spent.
triumphgal 