This day involved attending a Rotary lunch where Milo gave half his bio. His introduction explaining the area that he came from that was the former Yugoslavia was very informative. In his young life living there the country changed names four times! He was mandatory enlisted in the army during the war in Kosovo and went on to eventually work on cruise ships. What an interesting trajectory.
After work, I headed to Joseph Creek Village for Mom’s Thanksgiving dinner there. We sat with her friend Elsie and her granddaughter Maya and boyfriend Lennox. Bill and Ashlée joined us as well. The meal was better than most that you can get in restaurants in Cranbrook. It was overwhelmingly good and I worked hard it only taking a small plate. But those desserts, Mmmmmm.
I left there just in time to meet Brett at Encore for trivia night where we played as Two’s a Crowd and came in fourth, in spite of feeling like we had done terrible. I really do enjoy my friendship with him and we laughed as we left and I told him that he was cheaper than therapy.
The morning started by observing a dangerous driving accusation
I fit work in between obligations and connections. First was the Rotary Board meeting followed by a short visit with Rosie at Heidout. It was nice to catch up.
At 4:30 I headed to André’s Electronics for the Chamber After Hours. It was a great turn out and the Traeger BBQ guy served up some delicious food. I had some nice visits with other members and talked to Basam about getting a TV when I return at a deal.
Stopped at Rae’s after and had a short visit with her and Dee.
Home to watch Surface and puzzle. I am not motivated to do much else currently
Today was full of a lot of deals and I’m not entirely sure why unless it is just the list of the constant list of getting ready to leave the country for so long. It doesn’t help that my friend is back in hospital and they don’t know if his cancer is back or spread or what is causing its problems but he had an MRI and I’m just being patient waiting to hear the result.
I was grateful when Rae called me today to tell me that our reservation was very strange because her night ahead of me getting there is in a different resort and cost way much more money. I investigated it and ended up speaking with the boss of my travel agent locally as she was out of town. Christine was fabulous and ultimately for only a couple hundred dollars more. I found us the 25% off Canadian deal at the Coronado Springs resort which has a much more adult oriented vibe than The All-Star budget resort so we cancelled our original bookings and booked there straight through Disney.
In for a penny, in for a pound this whole trip lol. Oh well, I am making memories.
I had gotten home and put on my jammies and was watching Platonic and puzzling when Rae called me to come join them for a sandwich and a walk at the lake. A lot of me wanted to say no, but I put my clothes back on and headed over and ended up having a nice walk and chat with her. We haven’t had a chance to catch up about much lately so it was good.
We were up relatively early but there had been a time change so tbat gave an extra hour. I met up with Dave and Deb and we found our George’s Taxi driver, Giovanni. He was full of good energy and had a lovely Mercedes for the journey. He brought us to a hilltop for pictures a s we were stunned that Athens goes in all directions as far as the eye can see.
the Acropolis was the first drop spot and… wow
The next stop was for the changing of the guard that happens each Sunday. I aimed my phone over my head and hoped for the best. It turned out great!
Our next drop spot was the Agora. I am so grateful for Rick Steve’s app!
Next stop was lunch and it was overwhelming. We could have shared one portion!
We next were dropped at the museum but felt we had had enough so we settled at a bar and Dave ordered Porn Stars for us which were delicious and fun.these are a bit if the big.
I’ve had the most lovely evening With everyone, it’s like my friend groups all collided, and a good time was had by all. I really do wish I could retain more of the information to share with you, but I am grateful for Gianni today who got us to the places that we wanted to be and returned us back
I actually was awake early so I went into the office after getting some errands done, picked up my next 60 days of pills for 500 and something dollars ouch!
I enjoyed today. It went at a nice pace and I got enough done to be comfortable but jeepers. it’s cooling off fast.
I am very glad that I figured out my thermostat yesterday because definitely need the heat on in here today.
I did stop at Bill and Deanne’s as she texted methat she had some Gladiola bulbs for me to put away for a next spring. They were my Nana‘s favourite flower and I hope that I can encourage them to grow next summer.
I slept with it and woke up to no alarm, but very late rather than go back to sleep I got up and got done with the day. I decided today was do laundry and pack day. I did get a good chunk of things packed, decisions made and I tried on everything before I put it in the suitcase. And, pretty much everything in there at the moment except for my pair of fluevogs can be left behind.
I was very frustrated by whatever happened to my main TV in the living room last night when it just suddenly turned off while I was watching Netflix so I looked it up on the Samsung site and did all the soft hard reset etc. they suggested but it has no power going to whatsoever so I called the helpline and spoke with a nice man who gave me a phone number of a local repair place although m y warranty has run out as I have had it since 2017 sigh. I wonder if eight years is a good length of time for a flatscreen. I asked Google, which says 5-10 years. I will have to ask if it’s worth fixing
I took a nice CBD bath and watched some Netflix while I was in it on my iPad. I reached out to the family at one point to see if Will or Lukas could help me in the yard. Lukas was at work so Rae brought Will over when she was done work. I was busy doing the sorting for a 1500 piece puzzle that Marg Jensen gave me and watching The Lost Bus. What a show!!
I worked on the puzzle as I watched Acapulco. The good thing about watching things on my iPad is I have Apple TV app on it and can catch up on a bunch of my shows.
This is the pennant I have to swap. Unfortunately the Rotary meeting in Rome is the evening before I get there as I would really like to do that. I did put a call out on the cruise Facebook page, but I haven’t heard anything. 
I was up at 5:30 and picked up by seven by Rick and Joe to go to the Rotary district fall assembly in Rossland. The drive was lovely in the backseat of bricks Lexus, which was super deluxe, and the view was spectacular with the fall colours in the Kooteney’s. It was an enjoyable trip both ways with the guys. Many stories were told by each of us. turns out that Joe worked up in Atlin for some time in the 70s.
It was nice to be able to talk about the place and the adventures we’ve had there
The assembly itself was actually a lot of fun. I know more and more people each time I go to a gathering, and I have come to really like some of the people in our district. It is just hard to see them often as we are a cross border district and many other people that I really have fun with live in the US. I learned a lot at the breakout sessions that I was in. And I was very happy to have Kees solve the issue of why I wasn’t able to do the bulletin newsletter through our website. It turns out it was because Bill Bennett intended to give me level four access, but had only managed to do level three. I now have access to be able to do it all right through our software, which is a blessing.
It was really great to see David and Marlisa Keyes and Steve Roberge. Unfortunately, his wife, Denise did not make it this time. We got chatting about the fact that I wanted to bring pendants with me or flags to trade if I end up going to a Rotary meeting in another country and it turned out that David had some in his room and Marlisa brought me down four or five of them. When I got home, I did research when the meetings were in Rome, Italy as they have an English speaking meeting unfortunately it is the evening before I arrive. I did reach out on Facebook to the cruise group to see if there will be a fellow Rotarians that we could meet up when we’re on the ship though.
My house was fairly cool when I got home and I could not get my nest learning thermostat to recognize the heat option. I could only turn off cold. I reset it I factory restored I did all the things and then it occurred to me that there might be a loose wire and sure enough it was a quick fix after that and for the first time since last winter, I have the heat on so it doesn’t get too cold in here overnight. It was a nice day but I worn out so I’m going to bed now. Sweet dreams all.
My day began by meeting a client at the Hyundai dealership where I was dropping my car for servicing. We went back to my office and worked on her file in anticipation of a sale.
It amused me when I got dropped back off that someone at the dealership had belted in my Groot
After a long afternoon of work I took time to book the last of my excursions and even got tickets to the Picasso museum in two different cities
Once hone I saw my gate hadn’t latched properly and deer had clearly come in for a snack
Today was a little bit anxiety producing as I was asked to introduce Ward and Paul from Fisher Peak performing Artist who were presenting at Rotary lunch. A fellow Rotarian, who knew the whole story. Of my falling out with the two of them was kind enough to be sure to show up for the meeting, and came to sit beside me. I can honestly say that I channelled the best human I could be, and it freed me from their trauma.
After a very productive afternoon of work, I popped over to visit with my friends at Fenwick & baker and then headed to Encore for trivia night where Brett had promised to show up.
We were Butch and Sundance and we came in fifth. Before the last round we were tied with four other people for second place. It was a very tight competition. It was so nice to hang out with Brett again and chat. I look forward to next week when he hopes to bring Jill.
I do cherish this friendship as we are able to just be ourselves and commiserate over the similarities of our experiences and celebrate the small victories.
Paid for a few more things for the Rome portion. Hard to believe it’s 16 more sleeps.
Received an invite to the last supper at Southside community Church, which is now the neighbourhood church as it is being torn down. I was one of the original members of that church back in the 90s and it was nice to be invited but it is January 31 which is a tough time of year to drive down there so unless I find a screaming deal I’ll have to think about it.

It was strange to have a Tuesday off due to national truth and reconciliation day. I didn’t go anywhere or wear my orange shirt or participate in anything, but it has been on my mind a lot about what it means.
I have such a conflictive relationship with myself and my feelings, having lived in Heiltsuk territory and I realize that I didn’t even understand a lot of it while I lived there I just saw the horror of generational trauma. I do pray that each generation breaks the chain a little bit more until it completely releases.
It may be my favourite day of the month as it signifies being wrapped for that period. today was even better as I have tomorrow off! I did some work for someone who reached out on Facebook and was pleased he paid immediately. I also renewed my Serve It Right which will kindly be reimbursed by Key City Theatre
Once home, I started a new puzzle that Marg Jensen gave me and watched my shows. I like puzzle time while The Voice is on as I don’t have to pay as close attention.
I did get a funny email today. Apparently CRA is thirsty
I did make myself do a lot of chores today, but I also completed my Mario Lego sets
I can’t even believe I still had to mow a thick lawn and it’s almost October. What a strange year we have had. It was nice not to have a fire somewhere though for a change.
A couple weeks ago I got a notice that Kevo would no longer be supporting the app that opens and closes it with the use of my phone. After November, something I would need to use a key, which is a pain for many reasons so I ordered a different one from Amazon that had decent reviews and installed it today. I don’t think it is as good as quality, but it looks good and more or less matches my handle and will be much easier. Just having a code. I can give to someone by text if they need to get in.
Being on stage at The Stage Door last night sent me down memory Lane and I took pictures in the lobby of all the shows I ever acted in or produced there over the years. Here they are in chronological order.
ActorActorActorProducer/Sound & Light TechProducerI was the Aurora Borealis
I believe my legacy there, though was being part of this Theatre renovation as I got to design the tech booth in my role as Tech Director. It amused me to see my own handwriting, still on the board, after not being involved for so long. Seems all that changed was the name and number of the TD
Really all I did today was Lego and watch shows and then went to MC at The Locals it was a pretty great day and I did get the well needed sleep in. I did wear heels for the first time and my ankle was just fine. That is a relief.
Dave Prinn Piper StandingTwo Ticks-Rollie Cummins and Steve KnowlesJamie Neve Jon BissetMatt and ErikaThe Confluentials – Christina Blaskovich and Barry CoulterBeth CrawleyMark Casey
The best thing about the evening is that people pay $20 for a ticket to the show. Everything else is volunteer the performers, the crew everyone and after the rental of the space, the profits are given out to local school band programs. What a great reason for live music.
As I tossed and turned in the night, I remember that one of the side effects of the medication can be insomnia. I just got up early. I’ve got on with the day after spending some time on a new Lego set. As far as I know, it will be the last of my Starr collection as I now have each of my favourite characters. At the end of the day once home again I finished Wicket the Ewok.
The day was not without its challenges and at one point, I found myself, frustrated, irritated, and probably Hangry. Kirsten in the next office, kindly went and picked up sushi for herself, Keri and I, which was exactly the right amount of food that I needed.
I had a laugh when I glanced at my desktop wallpaper, and for the first time noticed that it looked like my friend Kathy had two tattooed sleeve arms because of the people sitting on each side of her. The picture is from one a group of us from music fest went on a houseboat trip on the shoe swap back in 2016. I took a picture of it and sent it to her only to find out that she had had a tough year. After surviving breast cancer 24 years ago, she has just had to have a radical mastectomy and she can’t have radiation because she had it 24 years ago. She says she is on the mend and very well supported by her husband and daughter, but I really just want to give her a hug.
That’s sad must’ve been sitting with me because after work when I stopped at Rotary Park where the Legion was having a celebration fundraiser to restore and put a fence around the cenotaph it was so great to see Danika‘s husband Malcolm and get a big hug. He was there with the army reserve. I also found it amazing that one of the therapeutic paws dogs practically dragged his owner straight to me and leaned against my legs for a pet and a moment. Animals really can sense things it’s true.
The post office is on strike again, which will make mom nervous because she doesn’t have online access to her credit card
I left the park and headed to several spots downtown, looking for a nice shot glass from the area to bring as my gift swap at the meet and greet on the cruise. I didn’t have any luck, but was amused by the pigeons playing in the dog bowl outside on the street.
I was heading home when I decided to stop at Fenwick & baker hoping to see Michelle and the other friends I haven’t seen in a while because I am trying to save money and not stop there. She was there and I ended up having a nice visit with her and with Bob Wagstaff, who it turns out is the brother of the guy I used to live beside when I first moved to Cranbrook. It really was a lovely way to and my busy busy week. I decided not to go to poker tonight as another way of saving some cash and also I’m so tired from last night. It was a good choice that I gave up my seat at the table.
Back at home I just played Lego for a few hours. I love the little details in the builds that no one even gets to see like the little heart in the body of the Ewok.
I did start working on another step decided that I am too tired to stay up all night finishing it well another couple of hours anyway so I will work on it again in the morning. I’m sure that people think I’m rich with how much Lego I’m building, but to be honest, I have been buying it over the course of a year and a half and stacking it up to do when I need the relief and joy it brings.
Rotary lunch was informative as Derek Penson gave his bio. He has gone through a lot and has a huge heart of service for a guy born in 1991!
The most interesting thing was that it was build your own sandwich day, and I was halfway through my sandwich when I realized my stomach was full. I pushed my plate away. I’m guessing that’s the medication at work, but I am finding that I am eating less and being conscientious to eat healthy using my Noom tools. I didn’t even feel like snacking when I got home tonight so I’ve just been drinking water.
After work and helping Ashlée with her paperwork I headed over to Encore for trivia night. Brett is still in Invermere so I joined six others this time and we came in second by only two points. We did horrendously on the final music round, which was all country. It was fun though.
Bring on the Cheese!
Once home, I finished my Lego project that I had started last night and I just love it!!
I finished my Pixar lamp by putting the light in. It’s got a remote control and options, so adorable
The day involved a stop at the office to make a payment, and send in my criminal record check for volunteering, and then off to my client again. We got her all caught up to date, phew!
I spent the day onsite at a client and left to pick up the cake I’d ordered and head to help Rae with dinner. Greg, Cassidy, Aiden and Maya and Benson arrived. Ashlée picked up Mom and we all had a lovely turkey dinner. I got good Benson time. He is very calm and alert and incredibly strong for being just under two months old.
It was sweet to see my oldest grandson cuddling my brother’s oldest grandson.
I gave Greg a gift that I’d had for a couple years having bought it in a fundraising auction for my friend Gordon. It is the St Eugene hospital that Greg was born in and after it burned down the artist made the frame from some of the wood that remained. I was keeping it for his 60th but he is in his 60th year, so close enough!
triumphgal 