It turned out to be a cooler windy day, so I stayed indoors and did a few things and puzzled and watched a couple of shows. I finished The Pitt which truly deserved all the awards it won. The next on my list was the Charlie Sheen documentary, which was pretty honest. I then watched the documentary, Unknown Caller, which was almost too bizarre to be true. I still can’t completely wrap my head around it.
The Rotary on the rock social today was supposed to be Minh golfing in a barbeque at 5 PM but because of the weather we were all texted to meet in the downstairs of the Heid-out where all of the barbeque items were ready for us and we ended up having a nice social there.
After that, a group of us ladies, some who were at the social and somewhere met us at the theatre and David at the last minute, I went to the Jess Moskaluke concert at Key City Theatre. The opening act was Zac McPhee. He shared that 13 years ago he played for the Kooteney Ice in Cranbrook. He was a good singer, songwriter, and the crowd seemed very happy.
Jess was awesome and it’s no surprise that she is the first Canadian solo female country artist to go platinum since Shania Twain but the volume in the theatre was so loud it hurt. I was glad to have my loops with me. She does have a very pure voice and a great energy. She’s also quite stunning. She clearly loves her fans as before she even began a sign was up, telling us to upload our videos to her site, and she took time during the Encore to take selfies with all the young ladies that came to the front of the stage. Great engagement with our audience.
She told us that she began her career covering songs on YouTube
This afternoon Deb and I spent time together visiting and reviewing each off ship day of the trip, booked one, and clarified which days we are off doing our own things. It was a really great couple of hours and now I know which places I can plan my own day completely. It’s getting exciting even more as it all comes together
Today was quite relaxed and lovely. I got so much work done. Walked o er to the Heidout where I was treated to lunch out in the patio and a nice visit with Chad, an accountant that I refer clients to in Kimberley. I then walked down Baker street to Delamont Jewellers to see about my rings that I dropped off in July. I had had them cut off before I left for Ecuador and one of the two also had lost a small sapphire. They were having trouble sourcing the right size replacement so I just took the fixed larger one for now. It felt so right to have it back on. It is unique and was the engagement ring my Dad gave Donna. I usually wear it with the pinky (on me) engagement ring from her first husband, George, who died. He was one of my Dad’s closest friends. The picture doesn’t do justice to how sparkly they are. The heart was my Mom’s (Barb’s) grad ring. My right hand feels whole again
It occurred to me as I was walking that there are three perfect businesses downtown and side by each.
It was 27C today! My Hollyhocks are going to seed and blooming at the same time
This evening I made dinner, puzzled for a bit, and am watching The Pitt. It deserved the Emmys it got.
Rotary lunch had technical issues but the speaker, Mike Crowe, the new president of the College of the Rockies gave an informative presentation and I learned some interesting facts about our local college as well as about the changes with the foreign student laws.
Back at the office things took a turn as one of my main clients, who is selling, seemed to be making impossible demands of me, while I am away. Oct 31st is a Friday and the stores don’t close until 11. She wanted all the GST and PST filed that day. I can’t even get the info until after they close. Even with the time change it is unreasonable to expect me to do the work on what would be Saturday in Barcelona. I did point out that there will still be bills coming in for utilities etc and even if I was home, I wouldn’t be doing it on a Friday night or weekend. I was very frustrated and always go the extra mile for my clients but this was ridiculous. She wants me to meet with the accountant that she says is demanding this. We shall see how that pans out.
I decided to go to Encore and play trivia. Brett was out of town so I joined the family and friend group. We were the Nine of Farts and won! Made a whole $18 back, lol. It was fun and I’m glad I went
I have been careful about my eating and drinking, combining what I learned from Noom with the pills I am taking and am slowly losing. That is the best for keeping it off. The only real side effect I have is a mild headache if I don’t drink enough water. I am drinking lots though, given how often I have to wee!
My Amazon CC was compromised so that’s annoying. Someone tried to charge a 697.00 dinner yesterday. Thankfully it was declined and I have a new card on the way.
I am disappointed that I haven’t heard back from Power Paving about the terrible state of my expensive job.
At 5 I headed to Key City to meet with the committee for a debriefing of EdFest. We had a good hour long session with some good ideas for next year and then Galen and I headed straight into the Key City volunteer orientation and fire drill training. We are all in charge of evacuation and it has happened in the past.
Had a visitor this morning
I love my ‘pancake’ plant as it is known that Judy gave me. It is a Chinese Money plant and I love it.
I had another reflexology appointment today that made me so relaxed I was too mellow at Rae’s for dinner. Rae, Lukas, Sawyer and the new students Kael from Brazil and Rowan from Germany enjoyed a delicious deer roast and cheesy cauliflower followed by rhubarb pie and ice cream. They settled to play a game and I headed home for an early night.
I had two very interesting things today on my calendar. The first was a foot scam by my chiropractor to see if orthotics would help in anticipation of the walking. I will be doing on my trip. It was a very cool process. I walked across a plate several times and it monitored where my arches are where the pressure is in my step and I definitely do need them. I’ve known this is an issue most of my life and I’ve had store-bought ones that I used to use. It will be good to have new proper ones. I think the video is pretty cool showing my steps across the plate with the red being where the most pressure is. It is not supposed to be directly in the centre ball of my foot.
After my appointment, I came home and got an appetizer ready to take to the Rotary ladies get together at Judy’s house. I gently sautéed some shrimp and prawns in butter and a few spices added a sprinkle of chives and some sauce in the centre for dipping. It went over very well. There was a lovely gathering of about 14 ladies I think who all brought different appies and we had a good visit for a couple of hours. I enjoyed getting to know Rebecca better and was really glad she came as she is only 27 I think in a new Rotarian. I’m glad I ran into her today and encouraged her to come. She said she had a good time.
I came home and got quite a bit accomplished on my impossible puzzle while I watched the Emmys that I had recorded. Rather unusual for a Monday, yes, but most enjoyable.
Today was pretty chill. I didn’t set an alarm but still woke up at a decent time and over the course of the day I watched some shows, did some puzzling and got a lot of chores done including washing floors, which has not been done in far too long. I also made some raspberry scones to bring to the office tomorrow morning.
Fortunately, today was the day it got extremely windy and the rain is coming in instead of yesterday for the bike race.
Although it was earlier than I have gotten up in a very long time and 5:30 AM was still in the dark, It was worth it to get picked up by Robin at 6:30 to head to St Eugene resort. I am the parking coordinator with five volunteers from the Rotary club of Cranbrook. We are supporting the sunrise Rotary of Cranbrook by volunteering. Paul and Kambie Heywood, Robyn Hicks, Walter Gramm and Jason Fast were an awesome team of volunteers. I laid out the plan for parking and people started arriving sometime after seven. By 930 we were done. It was a simply gorgeous morning as the sun rose over the reserve and the bikers as they arrived were in such good spirits often thanking us for volunteering. We manage to park over 250 cars and spread the love. I took it before and after picture and then one of the writers took a picture of us in front of the full field, which was lovely.
Once I was back home, I did have plans to work on my yard but honestly, I just relaxed and watched my shows and did a few small chores.
I was working on my impossible puzzle when Tracey messaged me for a visit and while we were sitting outside, our neighbor, Deb invited us over for a beverage. We wandered over and she made us some beergaritas that were delicious. 4 beer, 1 minute made lime juice, and the juice container full of Patron made for delicious drinks and great conversations.
It was a lovely end to the day
I want to document that I started on the pills today at 207.5 lbs and size XL
I was at the Cranbrook Chamber office by 8:45. Kyle Chris and Stacey who work there led myself, Leanne, Galen and John through the process of evaluating all the applicants. 3.5 hours later we had scored them all and the results will be tabulated for the Awards in late October. Shame I won’t be here for it. It was an interesting process.
I took some time to research and book my tour in Barcelona. I don’t want to miss the Familia Sagarda.
I picked up my Rybelsus pills and will start tomorrow morning.
I took time to go to Rotary lunch where the speaker was Mike Paugh about the restoration of the Kinsmen water park. They have done such a great job
Nancy is a new Sargent at Arms and is doing a great job handing out ‘fines’
Back at the office I got busy working on the Rotary newsletter. It was my suggestion and I actually loved working with chatGPT to personalize it and get it sent out to all members. So far the feedback has been great.
I worked a little once I was done that and then headed to St Eugene Resort for the Gran Fondo volunteer celebration and orientation. I am the parking coordinator and look forward to working with Robyn, Paul, Walter and Jason early Saturday morning.
Today was full and mostly fun and I even got exercise in. I was up around six so at the office before nine, which shocked everyone. Ashley and I walked over to the Heid-out for the Rotary board meeting, and I had delicious mac & cheese. Back at the office I got a call from my doctor about my mammogram which initially scared me until he clearly said that the results are fine. I wouldn’t need one for another two years, but that I have what they consider pretty high density breast tissue and they could easily be hiding something which would require an MRI to show so I am to take seriously any tenderness or lumps that I find that are unusual. I really appreciated the follow up. And on the density scale of ABCD, mine are C so that’s interesting
I stayed and worked and got a lot done, including a three hour client call. I then took the time to send an email to all of my clients about my upcoming vacation and realized that it is 36 sleeps until I am away for 36 sleeps! How cool is that to have figured out on the day
I also worked with chatGPT and my own find tuning to create the framework for the first Rotary newsletter to come out by the end of the month. I still want to look at options before I send it to everyone, but it was a good start.
At 6:15 I had a Chiro appointment and Kevin is always funny too chat with and be manipulated by I will see him again on Monday for my foot scan
On my way home I just decided to stop for wing night at Fenwick & Baker. There was one seat left in the middle of the bar, and it turned out that I sat beside a guy who I had chatted with before, and we had some pretty funny conversations. I also met the woman beside me, Bejea, who is highly amusing and we had some great conversations. It was just what I needed and now I’m home watching season three of good girls before I tuck into bed.
It was a very interesting day as far as being able to talk to my doctor about going on Rybelsus. He said Ozempic has had more studies than that, but the pill format would work best for me and he is willing for me to give it a try because I am so healthy. I have been maintaining my weight up and down 3 pounds but at a level that I am not comfortable with. I called the pharmacy after he faxed over the prescription and they have to order it in so I probably won’t get it to start it until Friday. That is only a month before I leave, but I hope there is some results right away that keep me maintaining and as my doctor agreed, it will help me not come home after the cruise with a greater weight gain.
One of my photos was used in the newspaper. Funny thing is Barry got my first name right but my last one wrong lol
I’m at Leanne and Lallah at the arena just after five as we were going to be working the 50-50 for a preseason game for the bucks. Only two of us were needed and Leanne had other things she needed to do so Lallah and I did it and the winner took home 317.50 which was pretty good considering the Low attendance. I like the new system. It’s just one machine instead of three different ones through raffle box.
Once home, for the second time this week, Missy curled up in my lap and sat for over half an hour, which is most unusual.
I was at the chiropractor this morning and we worked on my vertigo again and then he booked me in for 415 as well for a follow up. It was good that he did and he gave me some exercises to try before I see him on Wednesday night.
I got a call from Rick Jensen this morning asking if I was going to go to the district assembly in Roslin the first Saturday in October as he was driving and Joe was joining and I was welcome to join as well for just a day trip. I got to the office and read up about it and it was only $35 and I can ride with them leave at 7 AM and back by six so I signed up.
I also got a text from Leanne Jensen confirming that she needs me to help with 50-50 at tomorrow nights Bucks preseason game. I’m happy to do it, especially since I will be away for probably quite a few of games.
I am making a good dent in work and still having time to get things done towards my extracurriculars.
I feel that I have been grieving since the day I got back into Canada from Ecuador. That was the day I found out there was to be no more MusicFest. And then I broke my ankle. And then I lost my Jackie. I started gaining weight and drinking too much and having trouble sleeping and fighting the urge to withdraw. With all the things I have accomplished in the past month I do feel that I’m coming out of it all. I guess it really does just take time to process. I let myself feel the feels so that they would warp into joyful memories. Now I am taking the time to do some personal care and that includes the list of things around my home and at work. It feels good to start ticking them off.
I had lots of thoughts of going to the office and working on the Rotary newsletter, etc. but instead, I decided to tackle some of the random things that needed to get done at home while I watched season two of Good Girls I finished sorting all of my earrings and packaged a bunch into little Ziploc jewellery bags to take to the thrift store. Then I sorted out both freezers and threw away any of the very old freezer burned meat and the bananas that I will never turn into bread. I did find a wonderful array of fruit that I had put up and pork chops, scallops, and prawns. Also so much bacon lol that I clearly bought every time it was on sale. I am going to offer to bring pie for Thanksgiving. I did give some beef and elk sausages to Tracy and thawed some beef garlic ones out for my dinner. From the cherry tomatoes and cucumber that I bought at the market yesterday I made a delicious salad with feta cheese and a homemade dressing to go with the sausages and pierogies. A good comfort meal and I am using up the food that is in my house instead of paying for HelloFresh at the moment. Not only did it save money, but I have a good lunch for tomorrow ready to go.
Once I was done with the small freezer in my den, I moved the totes out of the living room that still needed to be sorted. Most of them were just keepsake paperwork, memento things, and I will work on that over the winter. My thought is, I will probably take pictures of things and make myself a scrapbook rather than keep all the bins of odds and sods.
It really was just the perfect amount of accomplishment and relaxation and now I’m even happy to look around my living room.
I was awake without an alarm at a decent time after a good sleep. Got myself ready and headed down to the park. I wandered the farmers market and the park, making connections with kids of all ages, giving out little elephant stickers and enjoying the vibe.
The day was full of great entertainment, Maddisun, Ethan Askey and the Elevators, aerial artists, and many booths with face, painting, elephant painting and wares. The vibe was amazing and the weather was perfect.
The Groundfloor coworker space did an awesome job, supplying hotdog, etc. for the volunteers.
I popped off to get my nails done at 2:30 and then came back to hang out before my security shift at five
Miesha and the Spanks from Calgary were awesome
At 7:30 I headed to Encore to have a meal and catch Rockinomix. It’s really a shame. It was the same night as Ed Fest because they are in incredible. Eli is an amazing guitar player and they would’ve had the place hopping with dancers if they have been more than a dozen of us there.
I headed back to the park to catch the last song of Shred Kelly and stay to help take down lights and dismantle. It actually went quite quickly.
I started at the day at the chiropractor. Kevin Roberge seems to work wonders for me but today I feel like it came away worse than how I went there in the first place. It’s not to be unexpected because I should’ve had treatment right after my fall in December. I am grateful though to be seeing him again Monday and Wednesday and hopefully we can get on top of all the vertigo and pain issues before I go away.
Back at the office, I got a fair amount done before it was time to head for my mammogram. Good to look after the girls; don’t love it.
Stopped at home to get my art installation and headed to the park where with the assistance of Kars and Sven, brothers from JCI, I got Angel and hung up
The Crozier’s and most of the Guedes’ came down to the park and we staked our spot before Rae, Dee and I went over to fire Hall for a beverage and update on the leaving work situation. We ordered some food to go and headed back over to the park.
It was a lovely evening and I invited Dave and Deb to join us as well. Brett also showed up with Morgan and Riley. It turned out to be a lovely gathering of friends and family. The only problem was the music didn’t start till eight, which was a shame because everyone was ready to go earlier.
The lantern parade was lovely and Long and so creative
Rotary lunch was very interesting as the presentation was about the new project in Cranbrook for a Hospice House.
I was quite surprised when I got a text from my daughter that she’d given notice at her work. It will be strange when she is gone as of Oct 15. I met her at Encore where she was visiting with her husband and a friend and she was white girl drunk.
Today was not especially profitable, but it is setting me up for a success. Sanjay, who works for the IT company helping at the Groundfloor, showed up to finally set up the brand new desktop computer and connect my laptop and my Mac to it remotely. It took quite a long time to ensure all things worked on the network and still I can’t scan from the big printer, but I am so excited that my Mac works perfect for travelling now and we even set up my extra screen so it will work with it. It gives me great confidence to take it on my trip.
It’s funny that we had three portable and two desktop computers all working at the same time to accomplish this.
This is the singular thing that takes away the stress for me now. Not all heroes wear capes
A little burst of happiness in my evening was a younger lady picking up some Tupperware that I sold on marketplace. I threw in some extra ones that I knew would work good for her kids for school and she was so happy. She complimented me on my beautiful garden and gave me a big hug, as well as the money. 
triumphgal 