I was mentioning to Sean that I wanted to find a modern, close to the ceiling fan to match my kitchen. I went into my office and searched LED ceiling fan and the first pictures to pop up made me giggle uncontrollably. I sent pictures to Rae and Diane and asked what they thought. They both responded so earnestly that I was crying with laughter. One would make me feel like there was a Star Wars universe on my ceiling and the other like there were bats in my belfry. Given the right space I would love either of them but not in my small space.
Diane had sent homemade cookies which won’t last long. They also made me laugh when I saw the disturbed stare in the bottom of the container.
The day went well, it felt as though I had come back from vacation and I was grateful to have taken the weekend off of small screens. I had over 200 email to sift through but it was worth it. And to top it off the last pair of shoes I was waiting for arrived. I haven’t even tried them on yet, just found them their own spot on my shelves. I really love them and will try them out tomorrow.
The only annoyance in my day was that my parcel of books I made still hasn’t arrived. It was originally scheduled for delivery Feb 3rd. I have not had the best experience trying to solve why I still don’t have it. I have been told it will be delivered for sure tomorrow. I hope so..
Stopped and had a very quick, at the doorway visit with the kids. Ash has made a big decision regarding her marriage and her husband unfriended the whole family today and is making some demands of her. I hope to be able to support her through this. She is young and time will make things better but right now it sucks. I get that. I have been there and know there is not much I can do but listen. It was nice to start and end my day seeing the grandsons. They had stopped by on the way to school and I sent them off with a cupcake each. Sawyer turns 6 in two days and his heart’s desire is one of those small electric vehicles to drive around in. I am going to search them out and maybe we will all go together for one. He is hard to resist. I did another puzzle tonight. It had bigger pieces but was a bit of a challenge. I don’t really pay much attention to the picture to make it harder and get more out of it.
My car started first try. Didn’t go anywhere but hope it will do the same for work tomorrow.
My Uncle Bryan picked me as his phone a person per day person and we had a lovely chat. He and Auntie Lynne really have developed quite a life in Blind Bay and seem to be contributing a great deal to the community as well. It was nice to catch up although I was nervous when I saw him calling as I was afraid it was to deliver bad news. When I saw his name on the caller ID it flashed through my mind that something had happened to my Mom, his sister. That speaks to the fact that we do not talk enough!
I finished the cat puzzle which was decidedly harder than the stack of books and also completed the second season of S.H.I.E.L.D. They sure pack in the episodes, 22 in that season! I am really quite hooked although some things bug me. It is much easier to be critical when watching them one after the other.
Was glad to hear that Colleen and Mike are doing alright as Oregon was hit with an ice storm and the power and services are out indefinitely. She came on WhatsApp and left our group a message. They have gas heat and stove so that helps. And a freezer that is thawing so are using up its contents. It reminded me of 1997 when it hit Salt Spring. Jake and I were lucky to have had a wood stove for heat and cooking.
When I was sorting the cupboards I came across a bag of cornmeal and had a craving so I made my recipe for cornbread that I used to make every morning at my restaurant. It went very well with soup and was a hit. It had been a long time since I had made it and it gave me all the feels and memories.
I finally decided to get something more of the renovation done and was varethaning my countertop by the door when there was a knock. It was my other friend Diane and she was dropping off a Valentine gift. We had a quick chat and I showed her my projects. It was nice to have someone who had seen the before get to see it in real life. I love the rock she painted me. I sent her home with cornbread and a cupcake. We had a good talk about our situation and are going to be each other’s Covid person. She has been struggling with working from home for so long. We both love scrabble and other games and I look forward to spending time with her, playing and crafting.
I finished painting the lower cupboards and swapped out the doors and I must say it looks even better than I hoped. Still a couple more coats on the counter top to go but a huge improvement. I also swapped out the light above the sink with one I picked up new at a garage sale. It may have been sold because it takes GU10 bulbs… I will have to pick some up to see how it looks lit. There is still so much to do; painting all the white bits including the sliding doors and trimming the window and all but the improvement is incredible. I am still on the watch for a more modern ceiling fan.
I have been enjoying some newish friends on Facebook as they keep referring to things that I love and I feel as though i have found my clan. Today was a reference to one of my favourite shows ever, Red Dwarf and as I said to them, I love it so much I bought the shirt
So, although Uncle Bryan’s call and a few texts with Rae-Anne was the extent of my ‘family’ connection on this Family Day stat, I have had a most lovely and full day, all in all.
I did get a few things done to day. I finished installing my bypass doors in kitchen, did some tidying and Sean come over and jump my car. I then drove to Marysville and back to charge it. I think the battery just couldn’t handle the cold but it also had some weird corrosion so I will see if starts tomorrow and if not I will go to Can Tire and buy a fresh one. Hemorrhaging money, that’s my thing right now. I made Red Velvet cupcakes as I know they are Diane’s fave. I could not find any cupcake tins in my house so I used pans with cupcake papers in them. They had random shape but turned out great! Went perfect with my Newfoundland coffee
I can’t begin to explain how pleased I am with my kitchen and I still have so much to do. For now, though, I am able to sit and puzzle and watch my show and do a chore here and there and just relax.
I got an email yesterday from the firm looking for some information for a client but I had decided to have the weekend off and I waited until today and then just suggested other avenues to the info. I need to keep my boundaries.
I am really surprised how many episodes there were in the first season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Am into the second season and have finished another puzzle which was easy and am working on the second which is hard.
Oh and it was Valentine’s Day but I have little to care about that. I received and sent messages with a couple dear friends and enjoyed a Pal-entines.
I find it hysterical that the Tittie Bar in Ozark and the ice cream shop in Marysville share the same name.
It was 3 pm when I decided there was no point getting dressed. I spent the entire day doing puzzles and watching TV. I watched the newest episode of WandaVision which just keeps getting better. The next up was the Star Wars Holiday Special done in Lego which was super cute. And then for the rest of the day I binged Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Which for some reason I have never watched before. I very much enjoy it and have completed three puzzles and nearly another. I only stopped to let the cat in and out and eat as well as took a call from Jenny in Bella Bella. She is sweet and we had a nice chat. Other than these things I pretty much ignored my phone to just have a break from the outside world. It was nice to have an entire day off.
I had a tough start to the morning. I put lipstick on my eyelid thinking it was shadow. It was the texture that made me realize before I put it on the next one. It stung for a bit but I headed out to my car which I thought I had started to warm up. It was frosted up and wouldn’t turn over. Turns out it was -29 and I decided I had best plug it in. My cords were all still under some snow where the inflatables had been and I was not dressed for getting them as I was wearing suede Fluevogs. I threw cardboard down and jumped across the yard, got cords and plugged it in. Rae came and got me and brought me and my frozen hands to work. I promptly forgot I did not have a car with me. Ashlée came to drop stuff to throw in my car and I went out and was looking for it in the parking lot before I remembered, and come the end of the day I realized I had to call for a ride. Rae to the rescue again.
It is a palindrome and ambigram day. Date reads the same both ways and upside down. Pretty cool. I am a number nerd. I finally go the first pair of shoes I ordered today but they are the wrong size. I hope they will fit Ashlée as I am terribly disappointed.
Keri and I had Subway for lunch again. I appreciate that she picked it up. I was so busy I barely remember scarfing it down while I worked. She got a surprise from her husband and I envy that relationship.
When Ashlée stopped by she gave me a cute new wine glass. I used it for my sparkling water tonight.
My car wouldn’t start when I got home. I will try to jump start it this weekend and hope I don’t need a new battery. Came in and heated up some dinner, did some laundry, watched The Dig and puzzled. I enjoyed the movie very much. The rest of the evening I watched Ozark. So far so interesting.
Needed to write a cheque today. Found an original book of them from my Salt Spring Island days. I forgot all about how cute they were. My name has the accent backwards and it is hard to imagine there was a time we put our email address on them. Oh, bother.
I was very fortunate that I picked up my lab rec when the clinic opened at 8:45 and headed straight to the Lab. Rather than have people wait in the cold they have made an extra room next door and have a doorman. Apparently I should have booked an appointment and that is taking up to a week but my walk in moment hit right during a lull and I was in and out in 10 minutes or so.
Had two of the Theatre Board members in my office today and much animated discussion happened. We all miss the days when theatre and family were one and the same.
Was nice to be treated with a chai and Cobbs when I got back to the office thanks to CFEK. I couldn’t bring myself to join them though as there were 4 people in a 10×10 office eating and drinking. I have heard on CBC that it is one of the problem times for contact and contagion. We are not allowed to even bubble yet and with just their immédiate family and contacts I calculated 22 people that I know of. I think I will stick with the Power of one. The treats were delicious though.
Minus 25 this morning but I was looking fine in my necklace from Emmy. It put a spring in my step. Rae-Anne showed up for a good long coffee and chat in my office and brought beautiful flowers. My new pots arrived and they are even better quality than I hoped.
Finally had my on the phone appointment with my Dr and she is erring on the side of caution and ordering more tests while we wait for my colonoscopy. Another ultrasound and bloodwork to find the source of the intermittent pain and further investigate the mass that showed up on the CT scan. I am continuing my effort to exercise, eat more regularly and drink more water. The Dryish February is going well. Tonight is the first night I really want a drink but that is merely my mood. I feel looked after by her but also just tired of being aware not all is well.
Tonight I learned, on Facebook, that MusicFest is canceled again this year. I feel as though it was the last straw for the week. I have been crying because I miss those friends, that experience, that part of my story, my schedule, my psyche. I missed my 12th and now 13th year of going to the Comox Valley, seeing my peeps and experiencing something unlike anything else in my life. There is nothing that compares in my world to that. I am afraid it will never come back. I did not know it would be the last time I would see them all for such a long time. I am overwhelmed with a fit of selfish, Fuck you Covid, how dare you take this away again. Head is starting to hurt, must refocus…
I need to see this as opportunity to deal with my health at a time when I am usually buried in spreadsheets, organizing names and sending invites to volunteers for crew, getting excited but feeling the pressure. It is a lot during a busy time for bookkeepers. This February is very calm by comparison which is good for stress induced illnesses. I think I am going to add going to bed earlier to my new regimen. I am getting up an hour earlier so it is probably a good idea. I need to protect my mental health as well.
Up at 6 to send Jake on his way home. Sad but so glad to see the positive changes in his life. Got on the treadmill and then on with my day. Found a necklace on my bed and a text to Danika assured me that Emmy had wanted me to have it.
An old friend had commented on the dust in my car so I ‘carved’ his name in it this morning. It was a minus 19 morning!!
I had physio today and he worked on my popped rib which likely happened when I had a muscle spasm last week. I think once I am done physio I am going to book a regular massage to help with the upper back sitting at a desk too much issue. On Sunday when I was at Rae’s I dropped my phone on the sidewalk and with the cold it shattered my screen. Thankfully I had a protective sheet on it and there was no damage to my phone at all!
Last night Ashlée had dropped off a bag of Jeep stuff and I looked in the bag when I got home tonight to find a picture I love from when I took her to Waikiki for Spring Break in 2005 for her grad present. My friend Wendy brought her daughter Alicia and we had a lovely time. Good memories.
I managed to get my doors hung. Still need to box in the ends and paint them and attach the bottom track but it feels good to get them up since I ordered them last August and it took so long to get them. Probably would have been easier with Jake’s help.
Once I was done that chore I settled down to do a puzzle and the next thing I knew it was after 11! Must stop!
On January 21st I had a very short messenger conversation with my friends Elaine and Barry on Salt Spring Island. It should have been longer but I was busy and intended to take more next time. Today I saw a RIP post on Facebook and was horrified. I immediately continued that private message about hearing a horrible rumour. I didn’t realize how close I was to a scheduled call with a client and when my phone rang I automatically answered it just as Barry’s message came that Elaine had died yesterday at 11 am. My breath was taken away and I barely managed to answer my client. She was so kind and offered to do it another time but she is a busy Mom and I knew I needed to assist her as planned, that I could swallow my grief. We both took a moment and I sat in it for a moment before we went on to work together on her online books for the next 3 hours. It was good for my soul to work with this lovely lady, Julie and as time passed we were laughing and getting things in order. She let me have my times when I had trouble expressing myself and I allowed her the issues we need to fix. I was able to talk to her and she understood that I was not especially surprised my dear friend was gone, she has suffered poor health for years but it was the shock of learning it on Facebook. Elaine was working for Mouat’s Trading Company on SSI when I started there in 1997, she was a friend through so many changes over the years. She and Barry were always so kind to me and cared how Jake and I were doing. I am grateful that the last time I was on island I made a point of doing a drive by hugging. I hadn’t seen her in a very long time and now I am especially grateful I did. I was grateful to come home to my son, to spend his last night here together after he went and had a visit with his daughter. We had a meal and chatted and watched “Yesterday” which I was surprised he hadn’t seen yet. I think it was good and helped to add a little cheer to the day. I packed up a dozen homemade wine in his crate to take home, gave him a couple Tupperware for his lunches and will send along some elk steaks and snacks with him tomorrow. I am sad he is leaving but glad he was here.
The more mundane things I did: treadmill, car to dealership for light issues, ran payroll, picked up Tupperware parcel that wasn’t available until noon today even though I needed it for an event last Saturday, downgraded my driver’s license to drop my class 4 to just 5&6 (car and motorcycle) (hated getting picture taken while at my highest weight ever) picked up my Fluevogs from the cobbler and tended to some volunteer work. Life does go on…
Starting one’s day off at 6:06 am on a Sunday is not always my favourite but when you open your eyes to a granddaughter snuggling in with you, all is right with the world. It has been a long time since I have had snuggles and Emmy is just a treat. I can honestly say, I had a great day. The three of us had breakfast, played Go Fish and Mario Wii together. Laughed a lot, especially when Miss E told a joke which always ended with wacka wacka. She made chocolates and played with all the toys in the tickle trunk I made for her Aunties many years ago. After lunch we all went to Rae and Roger’s to visit around the fire outside. We took a few pictures and had roasted marshmallows and then donned masks and had their new exchange student, Max come down as well. He is in quarantine but is allowed to be outside, appropriately distanced. It was the first time our whole family including Bill and Deanne, Ashlée and Jake has been together probably since Christmas 2019. It was lovely to have a visit but also really cold. After Jake left to take Emmy home I went for groceries and them came home to make dinner for us and Ashlée. We have all agreed to stay appart from others for the rest of the week as we are able. I ‘twas great to spend time with them this evening. We ate, played crib and Ticket to Ride, laughed until Ashlée cried and just enjoyed each other’s company. Also made a batch of nuts and bolts but realized too late I was out of worstershire so I made a substitution with sugar, soya sauce and lemon juice. They turned out perfect great I think but could do with less butter maybe. They seem sweeter than they should be. Could have been the banana cheerios…. I remembered too late to purchase a ticket that tonight was the streaming of an encore presentation of a CCT show. I do have access to watch it as I had to convert it for the streaming company but am just too tired tonight. I shall leave this with a few pics from the day.
I let everything go for too long and today was the day I got a handle on it. There’s not much to tell. The pictures of before and after say it all. I have alluded to the fact I looked like a hoarder but it is really a sign of my state of mind. I put things off, literally let them pile up and then it becomes too overwhelming. I usually get kicked into gear by company coming but.. well, Covid. So, with Jake arriving today I made like he was royalty and got at it.
It’s not perfect and there is still much to sort but I feel so comfortable in my space again and look forward to doing a puzzle on my dining room table.
Jake made good time getting here from Vancouver and popped off to grab milk and bread while I finished and then he and Emmy both arrived. He spent time getting his Christmas presets together for the nephews and giving me and Emmy, ours. I got a Stephen King paperback The Outlander and Emmy loves her Mario Lego. Jake forgot to put the pants on for the video haha
We had dinner and stories and Emmy went to bed easily. She kept saying ‘this is the best day’. It felt so good to have the company of loved ones. Knowing they are asleep in the den makes my heart happy. I shall sleep well tonight.
I didn’t have a great sleep but got up and on the treadmill. I am glad it is Friday. I dropped off the coffee maker and grinder at Ashlée’s and then popped in to the Honda dealership to make arrangements to have my car looked at for a few oddities. I will bring it in Monday morning. The license plate light has been doing a disco show for a couple months now and the console map light has never worked. I could check the bulbs but if it is a wiring issue I would rather they just fix it. Got back to the office and was admittedly pissed off that I was being left out of the Friday coffee time. Sometimes I feel part of the office culture and then I don’t. I got over it but stuck to myself for the day. I had an optometrist appointment for the first time in a couple years and it was as I suspected. My eyes have changed a lot and they are both different enough that the new glasses needed very expensive lenses. That left me fewer choices for frames. I tried on a lot of them but wish I had been wearing contacts so I could see without having to take a picture. I also will get a trial pair of contacts when they come in. All for only $1041! Sigh
I stopped to pick up a parcel after and it was Diana’s Tupperware. It makes no sense why one in 6 packages I have to go pick up. When I dropped the order off she gave me (Jake) a loaf of fresh banana bread.
Got more T4s and a lot of wcb reconciliations done and worked on both my volunteer files before I left. Heard the news that Christopher Plummer has died. What a career. What a legacy.
So ridiculously good
Came home to the T4 and T4A from my last employer so I will have to make a point of doing my own books and taxes soon, just in case I need to buy some RRSPs. I made a delicious fish burger again. I would definitely buy them again. 10 minutes in the air fryer to perfection.
There had been fresh snow this morning and I decided to dress for the day in a way that I would feel fabulous. I am glad I did as I had Viola take a pic for me and I posted it along with the caption: Rock what you got. Healthy and Happy is true beauty
I got over 10000 steps in and am tired so off to bed early. That is unusual for me, especially on a Friday night.
I decided that after filing subsidies yesterday, today would be a good day to reconcile and file T4s. I did 9 companies worth by the day’s end as well as a bunch of other things. I like doing them, working past the stress and triple checking everything. Little happy dances all day long. It also takes a lot of stress away to get them off the to do list. 4 more batches to do. I’ve kept to my schedule but may float out of here on all the water and tea I have been drinking. I also realized it is just easier to uncork a bottle of wine than make a pot of tea. I did not opt for wine though. Dry day 4 is done. So far, no big deal. I do hope it will at best cause a drop in weight . I love Thursday nights as all my shows record and there will still be some to watch tomorrow. It is Chicago show night and sitcom night as well. Shame it isn’t spread across more of the week.
I was trying to explain my Moka espresso pot to my daughter Ashlée as she broke her French press today. I found a cool video online showing the best preparation to get fine coffee. She is new to coffee world so it will be interesting to hear what she thinks. I drink black coffee so the important part to me is finding the right bean. Made in this perfect little percolator, coffee is truly divine.
I am enjoying my routine of this week. Treadmill , shower, off to the office, work quietly and steadfastly at many tasks, return home to catch up with a loved one or friend, make a nice meal, do a few chores and then settle in with tea or bubbly water and watch my shows. The morning involves watching WandaVision as I walk and the evening, Bridgerton as I sit. WandaVision got interesting today as I saw things come together that I thought may be true and Bridgerton got downright steamy. I enjoyed bits of my snack pack that arrived today as well. I think I will make more nuts and bolts, now that I have some cheez its.
Today, work was satisfying as I was able to get thousands of dollars of subsidies for a few clients. It is something that takes a great deal of concentration as I do not wish to make a mistake. It is also something that makes me happy to be able to help in some way.
My world is very calm and enjoyable at the moment. I shall savour this for as long as it lasts.
just as I was about to shut down I noticed a strange message via Facebook. How terribly odd as I have never heard of this person before.
Day two of treadmill and no alcohol. A good and crazy multi-purpose day included the best chocolates from one of my young clients who knew I was sad yesterday and thought they might help. How truly old school and lovely of him. And it worked! I also finally received the two pair of shoes I ordered a couple weeks ago. They looked so tiny but fit and I really like them. There is weird stitched letters on the grey ones that did not show in the ad but I kind of like it. My jailbird shoes. The other pair has the cutest soles.
I was glad to see the front page of the paper today as somehow I had managed not to make it downtown to see the ice x-wing.
There was an item before city council last night to rezone an old gym into a homeless shelter. It passed but our mayor and one councilman voted against it. It has been an interesting read in social media. The opinions are strong. One local business owner wrote a beautiful piece on FaceBook and I believe it warrants sharing:
Fear and danger are not the same thing.
I’ve really contemplated posting all this because I’m learning this whole “If you own a business, keep your mouth shut” business. But this topic eats at me. It hits too close to home.
I truly believe that tonight you will see City Council approve the rezoning, allowing for the development of a supportive location for our vulnerable community members. While I am no longer on Council, I have taken the time to read many of the letters of support and letters of opposition. Some letters have had me in tears, for better and for worse.
My husband and I are both downtown business owners. We are both impacted by the prevalence of homelessness. We have discovered members of our vulnerable community sleeping in our dump trailer, entering our business high and more. The liability is concerning.
I am also a mother. My teenage daughter works for me at my restaurant. These individuals struggling with homelessness have made my daughter and my servers uncomfortable at times. Often actually. Myself included.
Yet, I am in support of this rezoning.
Over the past year, as the issue of homelessness grows, I have had to face my own discriminative attitude multiple times. As a business owner and as a mother. I have had my own moments of judgement as I assume they’re doing drugs in our bathroom. I have faced my own frustration with vulnerable community members coming in high or coming down in my restaurant.
I had to face the fear. Fears that I had no idea I had.
We serve coffee to the vulnerable community at my restaurant. Our guests pay for them and we serve them. It’s a great program. We become familiar with our vulnerable community. We get the opportunity to interact with vulnerable community and face our own preconceived notions. We get the opportunity to become uncomfortable. We get the opportunity to learn.
In 2013, my children and I couch surfed and camper trailer surfed for four months until I could find a home, after my divorce left me without a home for a short period of time.
I had seven years of post secondary. I was the top student in COTR and UVic in 2008 and 2011 respectively, a certified teacher in the Province of BC and in 2013 I was couch surfing with three kids from April to August. How does that even happen?!
It was awful but we made the best of it. We were able to make the best of it because I had strong enough mental health (boy it wasn’t perfect tho!). I was open to asking for help and had an available support system. Those were the only difference between my situation and the situation of those who will benefit from this shelter.
When this is approved and I truly believe it will be, please remember that fear and danger are not the same thing.
It’s okay to be afraid of what will happen. What will happen to my business? What will my children see? What will come of our community? Those are rational fears. The unknown creates a rational fear.
But they do not equate to danger.
I am still getting past my fears of the unknown. I have taken the time to familiarize myself with members of our vulnerable community. I can admit I have a long ways to go in the area of judgement. I still catch myself assuming that if a homeless person is in our bathroom, they must be doing drugs (often they’re cleaning themselves up, using the washroom, or simply hiding to warm up).
I still have fears but do I think I’ve ever been in danger? Not for a moment.
If the rezoning happens and I believe it will, challenge yourself to look at your fears.
It’s so easy to say, “but our kids will find needles!” Well, they’re already finding needles. We have a serious drug problem in Cranbrook. This shelter alone isn’t going to solve or worsen that. That’s a drug issue, and a whole entire topic I can passionately sound off about. Shelter or no shelter, teach your kids about needles and why not to touch them and who to call if they find them.
It’s so easy to say, “but they’ll be aggressive to our kids!” If there is aggression toward your children, it’s not because of their proximity to an arena. That is a mental health issue that can happen anywhere. In front of Mt. Baker. Inside a business. On a street corner. That’s a mental health issue. This shelter alone isn’t going to solve or worsen that.
This shelter is going to give people a place of warmth. This shelter is going to give people a place of hygiene. This shelter is going to give people a place of nutrition. This shelter is going to give people a place of basic human dignity.
As a business owner and a mom, I hope that this rezoning is approved. I am confident that there are at least four Councillors within our City who will look past the fears and do what’s right. When that happens, I truly hope that we can all be supportive. I truly hope that we can all be a community of good citizens and look out for one another.
– Danielle Eaton
So well stated, I appreciate her very much.
Once home I made some special tea and dinner.
I watched Pacific Rim, which is a ‘guy flick’ for sure and I was grateful that I didn’t see it in a theatre as it was rather intense. I enjoyed it and Charlie Hunnam but can’t say i am interested in seeing more of them. Moved on to something completely different and started watching Bridgerton which I am quite enjoying.
Today is day one of Dry Feb and honestly, it’s not a problem. I will need to keep in the habits I restarted again today. I got up at 6:30 and walked on my treadmill for 1.5 episodes of WandaVision. I really like it so far. It is quirky and reminiscent of the Lucille Ball Show and Bewitched. I could have kept watching but needed to get on with my day. I did manage to make my goal for steps today and after this week I will raise the goal from 7000 to the ideal 10000. I ate three small meals and avoided snacking this evening. Drank water at work and tea once I got home. I did discover I have tea I do not love and I should probably research which ones do or do not have caffeine. I am glad I sorted more of the kitchen yesterday and got my healthy beverage choices organized. Had a nice long FaceTime with Rae-Anne tonight. Seems she inadvertently caused a conversation about abortion around the dinner table with her 4 boys aged 5-13. It went well but poor Sawyer, the youngest, was sad about what he understood about it all. She was able to express her beliefs about the subject and impress on them that this was a personal private conversation, not a topic for school and that no matter what someone believes, they should be kind. She is a good Mom.
I didn’t take a single picture today, proof I had my nose in the books. I spent time toward the end of the day sorting my own books for 2021 and invoicing through the software for the first time ever. Now that I am charging GST I need to keep extremely accurate track of my income and expenses so I pay the government the right amount and not a penny more. The other thing I did today was make a Drs appointment to have my angry mole on my back checked and follow up on my hospital visit. My Dr is just back so hard to see. have a phone appt next week first. I also deleted my FaceBook dating profile. I am tired of nice guys too far away and too nice of guys who are clearly catfishing scammers. I will take my chances in the real world.
How has the first month of 2021 come and gone already?! of course this signifies that tomorrow I go Dry. I have decided to raise funds for Cancer Research and signed up to go dry(ish) for February which means I committed to 21 days alcohol free in the month. My son Jake is coming to stay for a few days so I suspect we shall enjoy a bevie. If not I will go the whole month. I am seeking donations so will just leave the link here: https://www.dryfeb.ca/users/marnee-bellavance
I was up and at it and got a few odd things done. Diane started it all with sending a link about a lazy Susan for sale as I have been seeking one. I sent her back a picture of the one I found at the dollar store and that started me sorting my cupboards. That is what i have focused on, if I pick something up, don’t just push it aside but fine a home for it.
I got laundry done and showered, then headed to the theatre to meet the director and producers of the next show at CCT, Shape of a Girl. Should have been a short experience but the gear hasn’t been used in a while and took some time to get it all running and let Amy see what was possible in our space. I really like her and it is funny as we both have professional theatre experience but also descriptor confusion. She wanted a Ground plot which I have never heard of and it took my brain a while to understand, blank stage plot was what she was seeking.
I am still really suffering from the heaviness in my chest from the Hernia and going up and down the three flights of stairs a couple times was trying. I suspect being Dry for Feb may make an impact on that as well. I hope so. I just realized that the theatre jaunt took so much longer than I anticipated that I forgot to pick up my Fluevog boots from the cobbler. I watched two movies this evening. Both very different and yet both good. Locked Down was so current it was interesting and I do like Anne Hathaway and anything set in London. Add that it was set during and showed accurately the issues of a pandemic and I felt it was a win. The second one I just finished: Hacksaw Ridge Wow, I love movies based on true stories and Desmond Doss was a real hero. The first (only?) conscientious objector to get a Medal of Honor. It was well cast and horrifying that anyone on either side had to go through that at all.
I was up fairly early, rearranging things and organizing more of the kitchen. Missy did not want to go out in the snow at first. I had forgotten about the time change so the service was actually at noon my time. I contacted Mom and she couldn’t get connected at first so I set up my phone to watch it on FaceTime while I cast it to my TV from my iPad. It was streamed via YouTube. Just before it started Mom got it working on her own iPad. Lynda and Kevin, Murrays children did such a good job sharing who he was , a good, funny, inquisitive and talented man who was loved. I cried and felt for my ‘siblings’.
It did leave me in a malais for the rest of the afternoon so I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked. I did build my new shoe rack though and started gathering all my footwear. I honestly was shocked I have so many. I admit I default to my Blundstones.. A few on the rack are very expensive, many are cheap but fun.
I did make time to prep a Stoup in my slow cooker. Ham, potatoes, carrots and chicken broth from a friend that has been in my freezer for a year. It started to smell so good in here and turned out tasty. I have a small cooker but there are plenty of leftovers.
I had a few slices of Swiss cheese left and saw a post in the cooking group on facebook about grilling cheese. I tried it in my eggo sized waffle maker and it was delish!!
Terrible picture of a calorie laden treat
It was also a three movie day between chores. First was The King of Staten Island. It was enjoyable. I like Pete Davidson and there was the bonus of Steve Buschemi and Marisa Tomei. I feel like Staten Island must compare to Surrey BC for reputation. Next was Ben Affleck in The Way Back, he does play a drunk well but i just couldn’t connect with it and I usually love sports movies. The final of the evening was Parasite which took all my concentration as it is subtitled but that wasn’t a problem. I see why it won the awards. It took on strange twists I wasn’t expecting and what quite something. The whole, ‘if it came from America it must be best’ theme was interesting. I was quite taken in by it.
I ought to try to get more done tomorrow. I did get Jake’s bed ready for next weekend at least.
I ran a few errands before work. First stop was to drop off a bunch of interior design books to Diane. She was very happy with them. Next stop was to pick up my newest Scentsy from my cousin Becky. I saw it in our Duck Fan group and asked if she could get it for me. I love it!! It is the perfect addition to my office. On the way from Diane’s, just up the block there is a flock of ducks that hang out there. Was so odd to see them on the snow on the side of the road that I had to stop and take a picture. It was a Duck kind of day!
I managed to get done all things necessary for the month so I don’t have to go in this weekend. At the end of my day I had a lovely FaceTime with my Granddaughter Emmy and her Mom, Danika. It has been a long time and I am looking forward to her staying here next weekend with Jake. She was quite charming and then she was done. 3 is so cute. After tonight I will be more isolated so we will all be safe next weekend.
After work I went to Campbells for a delicious homemade chicken put pie and salad. Aiden and I made a run for drive thru Dairy Queen for all which I definitely did not need but it was so good. Well, except I forgot to say no pineapple on my banana split. I do not like the odd textured chunks. We all settled in to watch the second in the Narnia Chronicles trilogy. Prince Caspian. I still can’t believe I haven’t seen them. I devoured the books. It was so different from the first one. I enjoyed it though and look forward to the last one. I really enjoy Aiden’s company and he gives great hugs. Fills the Grandson void a bit.
So much to do this weekend, need to get further along on the kitchen and I must ready the den for Jake and Emmy. First though I will join the YouTube stream of Murray Clarke’s memorial tomorrow. Mr and Mrs C moved to the Neighbourhood when I was a pre-teen. I babysat their two kids, Lynda and Kevin. They became our extended family. I still think of the kids as my little sister and brother. We said good-bye to their lovely Mom, Angie some years ago and now will send off their Dad in the best style possible these days. I am sure his two grandsons will miss him terribly. I will always be grateful for him training me on my first real camera and giving me a love for seeing the world through a lens and photo blogging my life. I have always kept and cherished a bird he carved many years ago. Rest In Peace Mr. C
triumphgal 