triumphgal

October 9, 2022

I keep checking in with myself today as my rage and frustration is barely under the surface. I suspect it is just the take-away from all the turmoil in the last month. To be honest, I don’t think I am generally an angry person but the anger seems to come too easily these days. I talked myself down first thing this morning and then I went off on Jake and later on Lukas. Neither thing was undeserving but I was over the top, I picked up groceries and then Jake, Lukas and Emmy to help me winterize the yard. We put away everything, folded up the tent trailer and the leaves were raked and bagged. I dropped them off and raced home to make Red lobster biscuits, Caesar salad and cheesy cauliflower. I was done in time to take a quick shower and race to pick up Mom and bring her for dinner. It was delicious and there were 15 of us so a bit chaotic. I wish we still played games and enjoyed each other’s company more. Jake was here for the weekend and we barely had a full conversation. I invited Ashlée to a play with me and she says she probably doesn’t have the time off. Rae-Anne is mostly distracted by work. I love my family but can’t seem to find my place in it that isn’t peripheral. That is okay, I just need to accept and take the moments when they come. I think the anger is part of that becoming accustomed.

I do want to be happy but I am well rutted in my life and need to let go of the things, even in my stuff, that I need to get rid of.

October 8, 2022

I woke after 8 hours and started doing chores. The main one was to cook my last Hello Fresh from the prior week. It was a risotto and chicken which as I was taking it out of the oven managed to burn my arm. I ran it under cold water but it is pretty gnarly. The food smells good and there are now two full containers ready for lunches this week.

After showering and dressing, I dropped off Tracey’s hockey ticket for Ash as Jake is going to use mine and had a quick visit before heading to Mom’s. I took a quick pic of Sawyer’s school shot.

Once at Mom’s we went through some of her treasure boxes and jewelry box. There are now a couple of zip locks full of costume jewels for the thrift store, a few things sent home with me, small boxes for others as we went and her faves in the jewelry box on her dresser where she can enjoy them. I was thrilled that she gave me a few things including the heavy duty necklace I loved seeing back in the ‘70s.

We had a good laugh over the weird bottle of teeth and agreed to get it gone. The only one we kept (for now) was the one wrapped with the note, MB first tooth. It was also stunning to find she still has the cookie from when I was 15 wrapped in it’s recipe. Yes, that’s right a petrified cookie which came that way out of the oven. I had forgotten the butter. Sigh.

Among the other cute things were a Heinz pickle pin, a Woodward’s Santa button and a note from a birthday gift along the way. My fave was the tooth fairy note.

We joined a bunch of family at Mr. Mike’s for dinner to celebrate Barry and Jeanne’s 50th anniversary. It was also Donna and Hogie’s 48th last week so it was nice to sit with them for dinner. We had a delicious meal and good conversation. Danny picked up the tab which was a big surprise!

A bonus for the day was seeing myself 34 pounds down which is the lowest I have been since Sept 2015. Getting closer to my pre-Bella Bella weight which is where I am aiming for.

October 8, 2022

Up and at it, off to trade cars at Signal Collision and get my courtesy car, an RVR. It is so weird to have to use a key again and I admit to being very used to all the bells and whistles in my Tucson. I can’t wait to get my baby back. They said they will polish out the parking lot scratch in my passenger door while they are at it.

From there I stopped at the office to answer email before heading to pick up Jake at the airport. It was so great to see my son again, it has been far too long. We stopped to see his granny and he took out her garbage for her and we made a plan to see her soon. I forgot my phone and when I went back, Uncle Lawrence was there and he’d brought me maple syrup from Ontario!

Next stop was Arby’s where both his sisters were working. We had lunch and then I dropped him to meet Danika dropping off Emmy. She has grown so much even since she was here last. It was so sweet to see her excitement at seeing her Daddy. Danika brought me Emmy’s pre-school grad pic and I took a picture of it and put it on Mom’s fridge.

Back to the office to fulfill an afternoon of filing remittances and then it was home to change and get ready to go to the Bucks vs Warriors hockey game. Tracey and I picked up Jake and Emmy and off we went. The game was good and we won in OT which was pretty exciting.

The evening finished off with Tracey and I deciding we should try the Mushroom gummies that we had bought months ago. We tried half of one as that is the recommendation for newbies and watched Hocus Pocus. I had never seen it and now see why everyone liked it so much back in 1993. We decided we weren’t feeling anything so had some more gummy. We then watched HP2 which honestly didn’t live up to the first. It was entertaining though, no doubt. The gummies did start to kick in but really no different than THC ones. I am mellow and tired. It was nice to hang out and watch together.

October 6, 2022

Work, train Natalia, and more work. I was very sad for Natalia as a missile went over her parent’s house in the Ukraine and although they were not hurt, it is very scary. There was also horrible news from Thailand where 37 people were murdered by an ex-cop at a Daycare facility. Over 20 youngsters are gone. What is wrong with this world!! Both of the above scenarios sure put my little grumbles in perspective.

I was at Key City for the all candidates forum early and met a lovely lady, Kathy. We had very interesting conversations and I am impressed with her perspective on things. She has lived here for 16 years, from Alaska and just last March got her Canadian citizenship so this is her first vote in Canada. I am excited for her and impressed with her research. We sat together for the forum and pretty much had the same take away. Not much changed in my decision as to whom I will vote for but some interesting comments were made. I was unimpressed with our current Mayor who kept iterating that there should be housing for those who ‘truly deserve it’. EVERYONE deserves a safe space, full stop. The hot button topics were crime, addiction, and homelessness as well as what to do with the old campground and the deer problem.

They called today to ask me to bring my car in to get fixed and that they will have it for 2-3 weeks. I will make the swap to a courtesy car tomorrow morning before picking up Jake at the airport at 10:30

October 5, 2022

Before work I made bacon cauliflower chowder and took a container to mom for lunch when I dropped off her food and other items that I had picked up last night. I encouraged her to go for a walk about and join the others for dinner. She seems happy but is still pretty tired out from the whole move.

My nails did not last as they usually do and were terribly chipped so I called to see about getting them fixed. I was offered an appointment tomorrow at day’s end but got a call just after 3 asking if I could come right away. It actually worked best for me so off I went. Had a great funny conversation with Minh as he redid them and bless his heart, no charge. I went and got him a lottery ticket and dropped it off.

Went back to the office and finished a few more things before coming home to get Tracey who had invited me to join her at a concert at Key City tonight, Whitehorse with opener Jesse Northey.

The concert was fabulous! Jesse is a great singer-songwriter from Fernie and Whitehorse is a married couple, with a drummer, from Toronto. Each of them were successful as recording artists before they married 16 years ago and them formed the band and are on tour with their 8 year old Jimmy who was adorable. I wore my Loop ear plugs as the music was loud and I was thrilled at how good they sounded. She has a bloody unbelievable voice, his was also great but their harmonies were mind blowing. I bought their Modern Love CD and one of Jesse and the Dandelions as well. I look forward to uploading them to my playlist. Tracey bought two other ones and we will share.

What a great night!

I checked my mail when I got home earlier and there was a parcel from the UK! I got a present on Linda’s birthday lol. They know me so well.

October 4, 2022

Got up and skipped the treadmill to make a meal I could have for lunch and dinner (or and lunch the next day). Had another crazy full day. At noon, Natalia, the Ukrainian lady showed up and I set her up on my laptop to work on a file as ‘school’ as she called it. It amazes me how well she is progressing with her English and along with that new knowledge we used the translator app on her phone and my google. She was an accountant in her home of Kiev where her husband stayed due to the borders closing to men leaving. He sent her and her 17 year old daughter to Canada for safety. I am honoured to be part of her journey here. It was a lot to take on right now but she worked away and I answered questions as I got other things done. I didn’t put time down for the file she is working on and reduced the time on the one I was busy with. Some things are more important than the $$$ and I hope they have much success and that their family gets to reunite soon. I spoke with Mom a couple times and mad a list of things to pick up for her. After work I went to Walmart and got the things she wanted and a few more that I knew she would appreciate. i will drop them off on the way to work in the morning.

October 3, 2022

I didn’t love my alarm again but had to get my butt to the office as all the payroll ended up on this day. I also had no idea what time Mom would get here and we needed to get her there before 5 so she could get her life alarm and find out what table she would be at for dinner. Technically there is also no visitors outside of 9-5. I met her there at quarter to 5 and had to talk her into having dinner. They kindly offered to send her meal up on a tray. It was Turkey Schnitzel, Mashed potatoes, a soup and bun and a blueberry cobbler for dessert. The thing that made her squee was the side was beets. She loves them. She was so happy with how I set up and settled her apartment, loved where everything was in the kitchen and bathroom and I could tell right away how happy she was when she sat in her chair and saw the view. Also, I hooked up her router to find her internet was transferred as I had instructed her to arrange so she can use her iPad. I will have to make sure her Roku TV is connected to Netflix etc when I next go over. We had a bottle of my wine while I questioned her on a few more things that ended up in the to go bin. I am proud of her. We are going to go through all her cats as well and keep the ones she loves the most as she has over 100 of them as figurines, and even more as mugs, etc. I actually loved watching her walk around and see things, exclaiming in joy as she saw things she forgot she had. The next plan will be to hang all her pictures and collector plates. I asked her to make a list of things she needs and I will go pick up, like a broom, for example. There is housekeeping but she needs to keep it tidy. I may just pick her up a stick vacuum like I have that doubles as a dust buster. It was a very tiring day but I am so glad she is happy and I know she will sleep well. As will I 🙂

October 2, 2022

I awoke to a phone call from Uncle Bryan that Mom is too tired and will come tomorrow. I made myself get up and get some chores, including some of Mom’s laundry, done, made myself a good meal with leftovers for lunch tomorrow and then headed to the new apartment. I spent a few hours getting the rest of the boxes emptied that I could, finished the bathroom and bedroom and then decided I could do the rest with her. I will meet her tomorrow and show her where things are, get her lifeline, etc. I feel really proud of it all and hope she will be happy there. I do plan to Marie Kondo her cat collection as it really is out of hand and there is no point keeping them in boxes in storage. I suspect I can put a batch together and sell it for her which will help with the extra costs.

I raced home at 6 to shower and change, and pick up Rae-Anne, Will and Sawyer to go to a show at Key City.

https://cirquealfonse.com/en/shows/animal/

It was amazing! I had gotten us front row left seats, and it was great being so close. I highly recommend it for families.

Afterward I came home and finished Mom’s laundry, getting ready for tomorrow.

October 2, 2022

I had set an alarm but wished I’d added a couple hours. I dragged my sorry butt to Joseph Creek where I screened in and got the dolly and took it up to the apartment. I then realized there was no toilet paper so popped home managing to arrived back at the same time that Greg arrived with the UHaul. Shortly after that the two Mormon missionary guys, Ethan and Joseph arrived in their black pants, white shirts and ties. I felt sorry for them as they were between sessions with the living Profit who is here in Cranbrook for the weekend. They were very helpful and very friendly young men. I know we couldn’t have done it without them. Bill dropped off Eugene, the youngest of the home stay students and he worked his tail off, hanging clothes, opening and sorting, and then flattening all the cardboard afterwards. I stayed upstairs, unpacking and staging everything. I decided there are no ‘storage items and even unpacked the silver tea set although it needs polishing. Rae came by for a short visit with Greg and helped me put the bedskirt on that was one of Mom’s hearts desires. I brought the rest of her bedding home to wash and will go back to unpack the bathroom and hang pictures tomorrow. The whole place is so much brighter and with the large closets and store room in suite, it’s a big step up from her other place. Just need to find a guest chair and all will be well.

I raced home and changed my clothes before grabbing Tracey and picking up Greg to head to the Hockey Game. It was the first official game of the season and we had a shut out. I think it is going to be a good season. Had a good visit with Greg. We three tried to go to The Blind Pig and The Fenwick & Baker but they were both closed kitchens and one even had a closed till already so we couldn’t even get drinks. Pretty lame for just before 10 on a Saturday. Instead we drove through A&W and I dropped Greg at his hotel before coming back to the hood. Bill is going to pick him up for breakfast and take him to the airport in the morning. It was a short but lovely visit.

September 30, 2022

Today is the national day for truth and reconciliation. It is recognized federally but not provincially. I let myself sleep in and then headed to the office to do some payroll, training and all my usual billing for this month and scheduling for next. I was pretty productive and left to be home around 4. Had a short visit with Tracey and then mowed my lawn before coming in to make dinner for the two of us. It was nice having company while I cooked and then we enjoyed the food while watching Pinocchio. It was well done and we both enjoyed the movie and the dinner. I wasn’t very chatty as this was a tough month in many ways. I am already dreading tomorrow. I have had no communication from Greg as to whether he is driving the truck back or flying, when he is leaving, etc. I also am completely relying on the Mormon missionaries showing up at 12:15 as promised tomorrow for the move. I must let my stress go about tomorrow, release the pain I feel for our First Nations, and calm myself to sleep.

September 30, 2022

I managed to get all deadlines met a day early and a jump on a big file. At 3 pm I met Stacey at Kootenay Winecrafters and we bottled my two batches of wine. This space is clean and beautiful and we got them done in no time at all. Elva gifted me with a mug, bottle stopper and other treasures when I left. What a nice perk! I went back to the office until it was time to head to Cranbrook History Centre for the Ticket to Ride game night. Not too many showed up but we were a friendly group and I kicked butt the first game against Monika and Marg. Travis joined us for the second game and I came in a close second. Overall I had the highest score and won an expansion pack which is awesome! Gordon did a good job although I suspect if he sent a reminder email more people would have showed up. I hope we have more of these nights. It was the first time in a very long time that I scheduled some pure fun for myself. I am up as long as I like tonight as I plan no alarm and then will go in to take care of payroll and anything else that pops up but mostly will rest for the big move in on Saturday. It will be good to know Mom’s stress is over and she is settled here. Also good she will be here for Ryon’s memorial. The plans are being made.

September 29, 2022

Today felt… complicated. I went to work. I got the text, I felt the feels. Ryon Guedes was my son-in-laws father. He was also my friend. His mind gave out… he was a prestigious editor at the Province Newspaper, a brilliant mind. I was honoured to know him, now he is gone. On the day of his daughter, Margot’s 42 year, he exited this life with her and Roger and his wife, Judy, by his side. To hear tell, it was peaceful and lovely. It is too soon for these remaining two of three of his children to experience this loss. I was 41 when I lost my dad, I feel their pain but I also know that they lost their dad years ago to dementia and Alzheimer’s

I was so veklempt that I barely noticed it was lunch time so I raced home and made one of my Hello Fresh meals and brought it to share with Cindy. I then buckled down on two files so I would concentrate and not have to experience the grief and care I have for Roger and Margot. I came home for a small respite and then headed to Key City.

Piq Siq (Pilk silk) were the main attraction and a First Nations art exhibit. I was surveying the lobby when I saw a couple that I should know but not from here. When they came to my bar I said I recognized them, were they musicians, and as it happened they were Court and Ali the bird and bear from Amazing Race Canada! I admit to being fan girl but remained calm and cool. As i had been on a reality show before, we had a great conversation about Producers, and editing. They were happy to take a selfie with me and I was thrilled to be there in spite of my grief.

I left after being overwhelmed with goosebumps listening to Piq Siq. I bought their CD and a mask. I hope to have opportunity to see them agin.

Next stop was to pick up Scotch and head to see Roger and Margot. They were just heading down to the Firehall as I pulled up so I parked and walked down with them. After a nice visit, we walked back up to the house, cracked the scotch (delicious) and Roger, Margot and I played RummyCube. When their brother died, we all gathered around my friend Jackie’s table and played games. It seems to be our go to.

I feel sorry for them, remembering how it felt to be only 41 when my Dad died. It is a time for transition, when kids and parents need each other and communicate differently. They have lost that opportunity but are surrounded by love so that is a bonus.

It was funny tonight when a photographer in the venue leaned over the counter to say hi. there was awkward conversation until I said, Oh, you think I am Ashlée! He was stunned to find out I was her Mom. It truly doesn’t have much to do with our age but rather the focal points people recognize in us. I find it interesting, but to be fair I am being mistaken for my 35 year old daughter, not such a bad thing.

September 27, 2022

I really disliked my alarm this morning. I struggled to get to sleep as I feel that I need a couple hours to unwind before going to bed and didn’t have the time. The same thing is going on tonight as I had a board meeting and although it went well, there is a lot going through my head.

Once into the office I knuckled down and did manage to get a lot done but I do feel I may have overcommitted recently and may need to work longer, later to accomplish it all.

I just received word that the family is sitting with Ryon, my son-in-law’s father and my friend. The prayer is for peace and freedom from pain. His two remaining children and wife are with him. It is a sad and trying time for the kids, so hard to lose a parent when still so young.

Safe travels to a peaceful eternity, dear Ryon.

September 25, 2022

I guess I needed to catch up on sleep as my alarm was my hungry cat after 12 hours and 39 minutes in bed! It is so awkward to awake at 1 in the afternoon, so much of a gorgeous day was already done. I had a bath, got the place tidied up, started washing wine bottles as I will be bottling later this week and began the dismantling of the pool. Rae-Anne dropped off her two home stay students, Jonas and Eugene. They were incredible at getting it drained and cleaned. I am so grateful. When I dropped them off after, I stayed and had spaghetti with them although it had peppers in it. I was hungry and regretted it, lol. I did have time to go do 9 holes at the Idlewild disc golf course with Rae, Will and Sawyer before the very ill effects kicked in. It was a lovely evening at the perfect temperature on the course. Once I got home, I finished washing the bottles and my clothes and settled to watch the season finale of Big Brother. I am not especially tired but need to hit the hay.

September 24, 2022

I had a solid 8 hours sleep and felt rested and ready to get my chores done. I started the pool to draining although the buyer backed out. I decided to put it on Cranbrook Bid Wars and by noon tomorrow I should have sold it. Next thing, I got a message from Rae-Anne asking if I would like to join her and the two youngest boys heading to Kimberley. I took my bottles to drop off at Beautiful Moments where they were collecting to fund a gymnastics trip, dropped my recycle in the bin behind work, stopped at Canadian Tire for latches for the two gates and dropped all my old batteries at Staples for recycling. I met her and the boys at Arby’s where she had to assist staff and Will and Sawyer were eagerly awaiting me. We all jumped in Rae’s vehicle and headed off around 1:45. Parking was hard to come by and we found out that it was Oktoberfest in the Platzl. Odd as it is still September! We puttered in and out of stores, bought a cider and wandered. It was relaxing and fun. I was super impressed with the new restaurant, The Biscuit. We didn’t eat there but we did get our passports stamped for the Ale Trail promotion going on. I have to collect 6 stamps and trade in the passport to get a really cool enamel mug. I have 4 stamps just from today. We would have got more but the OverTime was too busy. We had a good stop at Grist & Mash Brewery for a flight and a pretzel. We stopped at the skate park and let Will and Sawyer ride around on their bikes. That park is so nice, no graffiti at all. Nice to see for sure. We stopped at the park in Cranbrook as well and ran in to Jonas, their student and one of her employees who called in sick. Oops, she busted him. We dropped the kids at home and just she and I went to the Blind Pig. We had a great visit and some good food and beverages. I felt really bad as I called my favourite server by the wrong name but it will never happen again. I got all twisted up over another conversation and pulled the wrong one out of my hat. We went for a walk around downtown for a bit before I dropped her off and came home. It was such a good day!

September 24, 2022

Today I was up and on the treadmill and off to work at a decent time. I feel like everything is just fluid right now, as if I am just moving through the days. I think I am trying not to stress for Mom. My super power friend Julie was going to help her tonight and I hope it went well. Rae-Anne let me know that the mormons are in town looking to give assistance where needed and that I should reach out to get their help moving her in on the first. I have to reach out to my brother tomorrow to see when he thinks we will need them. Sadly, the lady who reached out about buying my pool said her husband doesn’t want to store it for the winter so I will drain and clean it this weekend and ask more for it come spring. I stopped to pick up Roger’s wine bottle drying rack so I can get mine cleaned this weekend, ready to bottle on Thursday. Stacey is going to come and bottle with me. After work I came home and had a good catch up with Tracey who has been laid up with a bad back. Then, it was time to head to Key City Theatre where I was to bar tend again. It was the Jesse Cook tour and sounded good on the lobby speakers. After cleaning up following the intermission I decided to come home rather than stay and watch. It has been a long couple weeks. No alarm tomorrow, hallelujah.

September 22, 2022

It was rainy and grey today. That seems appropriate for the first day of Fall. I got into the office at a decent time after chatting with my guests. They just keep stressing how happy they are to be staying here, that they are sleeping better and longer than they even do at home. First thing was to call to see if I could get a nail appointment as they were in very bad shape, and was very happy to get in for 11:15. I answered all my email, made a lot of payments for clients and then raced off to the mall. Minh liked my idea to get my Halloween nails and I chose candy corn. Ty finished them off and although my thumb got hurt a few times it was worth it. I love them.

I shopped a little bit, picking up some new tops on sale at Ricki’s and a keyboard cleaner and for only a dollar, an I stand with the Ukraine shirt at the As Seen on TV store. After that it was back to get things done before my stint volunteering at Key City. It was Marsha’s first time volunteering and it was great working the bar with her. She has a great personality for it and is smart.

Once home I made some scallops and edamame. It was the perfect dinner which I followed up with a pot of tea and the first episodes of the new season of both The Amazing Race and Survivor.

I am ever so grateful for the friends and family that are helping Mom get herself up here. I plan to take time off as needed to settle her place at this end before she arrives. Only one more week! Rae let me know there are dollies to use at the facility. That will help to get her unloaded. I had someone inquire about my pool today and I offered a further amount off if they commit to getting it this weekend as I am planning to take it down and don’t want to have to store it. I hope she gets back to me tomorrow.

September 21, 2022

The day was convoluted, much was accomplished but it all aimed at crossing off list and felt… done

Really it matters not what a stressful day I had as I met Dave and Deb at The Blind Pig and had a most wonderful evening of catching up on our childhood and everything in between. We met in grade one and they moved away during grade three. In those years we bonded in a way that has brought us to 59 and still feeling the love. I want to share more but really, the memories are so precious I feel the need to hold them close. I am sad to hear her mom has a cancer scare that is multiplied by the fact that is how she lost her father. I only hope if it is fatal that it is quick and painless. It is amazing to be friends with someone you have known since you were 6!

My last guest made a lovely video of the space that I just have to share.

Big difference in temps today!