heading out, special man and a good outcome

1. A helping hand from Russ.  I had been hurting from a migraine most of the day but once I got into bed I realized I needed help. Without me asking, he looked after me by getting some medicine and then he rubbed my neck every so softly so I could drift off to sleep.


2. Another Russ moment. He got up with me on my first day of work and made me a smoothie and gave me gentle encouragement that the day would go well and suggested I channel my nervousness into something positive.


3. Meeting new people today and feeling like it will work out just fine.

pulp, bright and closed lids

1. I was craving something sweet this afternoon. A fresh juicy orange satisfied.


2. New laundry room lights that don't have the buzz or flicker of fluorescent lights that previously occupied that space.


3.  A short nap on a shared couch. 

under the covers, mixing and whoosh

1. Feeling an arm reach for me and find me, to snuggle and keep warm.


2. After four days without my morning cup of coffee, today was different. I had a cup that had the perfect combination of coffee, cream and sweet.


3. Isabelle's birthday is coming up soon so it seemed like a good time to start teaching her how to blow. One birthday candle is a big deal. I started out by blowing gently in her hair and she smiled so I blew softly on her face. It tickled her and she had to catch her breath. She smiles and giggles a lot when we play this game. I think she finds it amusing. When she tried to blow she made some very pretty baby bubbles.

in between, clerk talk and the facts speak for themselves

1. I opened my eyes and gently closed them again. I did this a few times. Open, close, open. In the place between asleep and awake, it was warm and cozy and I wanted more.


2. At the Sally Ann I found a pair of jeans that fit just right. At the till the cashier said, ' Nice snag'. 


3. Realizing that I don't have the control and I have to back off. Feeling saddened yet empowered by that fact. Pleased to be able to see it.

seeing, watching and doing

1. Seeing Chris happy.

2. Watching snow melt.

3. Finally getting my pictures uploaded.

work, japanese food and hot water

1. Satisfaction at seeing some major progress in getting their house ready for sale.

2. Tempura eel sushi roll.

3. Hot tub.

the next day, a best friend and bargains

1. Leftovers that somehow were even more garlicky today than  yesterday.

2. Gaile.

3. Finding a few cute outfits for Miss Isabelle, including a cream sweater, pink flower top with pink pants and some soft mauve pj's.

hug, over the top and snuggles

1. A hug from Shannon. Real and welcome.


2. I say to Russ, 'That workshop is super fancy'. He replies, 'It is a bit over the top'. Can you say understatement?


3. Seeing Isabelle in her mother's arms after she wakes from a nap. She is warm and red cheeked and ready to snuggle.

teamwork, mine and a good night's sleep

1. Working as a team with Chris, Michie and Russ to get a whole lot of cleanup done.


2. Isabelle's smile that's just for me.


3. Tom and Shannon have arrived. Hot tub, meal and now sleep for the weary travelers.

snuggling, my man and tea

1. Snuggling all night because the weather went cold.


2.  We drove around today looking at some of the homes we'd seen online and never bought. We talk about our house hunting experiences together, comment on homes and spaces. I comment that it's been fun to see other areas of the city when Russ suddenly turns to me and says, 'I know how treat all the ladies." I give him the 'look' and he quickly says, 'I know how to treat you best of all'.


3. Tea. Steamy, hot with some honey.

art, no guilt and food

1. Michie is excited about a job interview for a part time job in Ladysmith, working at the local newspaper as an art director.

2. The dirty dishes are cluttering the counter but I'm ignoring them and not feeling guilty.

3. Wonton soup and spring rolls for dinner, with peanut sauce and a sweet & sour dip.

visitors, bleach and a gift

1. Coffee and a visit with Marjie and Tom at Urban Beets. Nice to meet Tom, and super to see Marjie. Hope to see them again soon.


2. I've been a wee bit out of sorts because we assumed bleach was not allowed in our septic tank. Russ gave the inspectors a call and discovered we can use solutions. Not in huge quantities but enough so the dull dingy whites will be white now.

3. A purse hanger from Marjie! Thank you!

Michie, uppers and loopless

1. Talking to my daughter in law today. I like how she says, 'Hey! What's up?'

2. Hearing that Isabelle cut two upper teeth today. Poor dear is not too happy but will be once she can chew her foods better.

3. Managing to keep out of the loop of confusion.

numbers, pooh bear and savoury

1. I waken to birds singing. The feeders need to be refilled yet again. They are always hungry and I think are telling their friends to come to the buffet because they are increasing in numbers.


2. A soft Winnie the Pooh blanket perfect for Isabelle's crib.


3. Munching on savoury tomato and basil rice cakes.

running, smile and waiting

1. He takes fruit, yogurt, hemp hearts and other goodies and quickly and efficiently makes me a breakfast drink.  It's served to me just as I have to run out the door. He says, "This one is for you and good luck today" 


2. He gives me one of his smiles that reaches his eyes and then a hug after I tell him all the details of my morning.


3. A clean hot tub awaits and wants to massage out all the tender spots.

stolen, sheets and an early valentine's day meal

1. A cup of Egyptian Licorice tea and a stolen bite of soy ice cream and pie.


2. Clean sheets on the bed. Soft and crisp at the same time, sweet smelling and fresh.


3. The meatloaf was juicy, the mashed potatoes garlicky, the salad fresh, and the dressing tangy.

words, warm and him

1. Going to the hairdresser at Ambiance Spa and after all the 'work' is done hearing someone beside me say, "you look sexy".


2. A warm fire blazing in the wood stove on a cold, rainy Saturday. 27C


3. A special smile from him.

paper trail, yakity yak and a second one

1. Getting a phone call that starts with, "we received your resume and were wondering if you would like to come for an interview", especially when I just got a job last Friday.


2. Talking on the phone to Auntie Louise about many different things.


3. Russ took a bite of a freshly baked peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookie, smiled and ate a second one right away.

job, crossings and gusto

1. Chris went for a second interview yesterday and did very well. The company told him to expect a call in a week or two to let him know if he was hired. But, this morning he got an email confirming his job. So happy!


2. Crossing things off of a list after actually doing them and not just rewriting the list.


3. Giving a bowl of steaming lamb casserole to Russ and watching him eat with gusto. There is no time for words.

little bird, cc's and a novel

1. Sharing noodles with Isabelle. She opens her mouth like a little bird eager for tasty morsels.


2. Chocolate chips; the milk chocolate kind disappearing into my mouth.


3. Finding a new novel for late night reading.

resolution, lamb and sharing

1. Some resolution for my brother


2. Lamb dinner


3. Dessert served with two spoons.

laughing, sunshine and apple pie

1. Reading the most outrageous valentines card and sharing a laugh about it with Russ.

2. Looking up from my computer screen and seeing the sunshine streaming in the windows of the office.

3. A warmed slice of apple pie. Hot from the convection oven, steaming and ready to burn my tongue if I'm not careful..

conversation, tulips and family

1. Compassionate conversation.

2. Tulips. Frank and Gaile have sent me some flowers on Saturday afternoon. The delivery person delivered them to someone else who signed for them. So Gaile called the company and they sent another bunch but when we opened the door we saw the original flowers on the floor near the door! Two bunches! 30 beautiful tulips! So sweet.

3. Talking to my sister and brother.

scallops, generosity and decadence

1. Last night we went for Vietnamese food to the Saigon Kitchen. Pleasant decor, great waitress, excellent food. Russ had a hot pot and I had a seafood chow mien. mmmm Scallops were big and juicy.


2, A generous husband. He gave me the scallops from his dinner when he saw how much I was enjoying mine.

3. We spent time this afternoon playing in the dirt rebuilding a flower bed. It felt a little decadent gardening in February.

bracelets, buds and a new job

1. The double purple and black bracelets. I like to wear two together and it works on my arthritis.

2. Today the buds are making their way through the soil to see sunshine and warmth. I particularly like to see the peony buds. They are a rich burgundy colour, shiny and very pointed.

3. A new job. I start a new job in Parksville at the end of February. 

warm house, soup and the last chapter

1. A warm house courtesy of my husband who faithfully brings up wood and makes sure the stove is stoked.

2. Chicken noodle soup with extra noodles.

3. The last chapter.

sweet sounds, lists and pure pleasure

1. Straightening the guest room and finding a baby toy that makes a sweet tinkling sound, hidden under the bed.

2. Our magic white board has a variety of lists. Today I crossed two things off of my list and I'm looking forward to erasing another tomorrow and a big one on Friday.

3. We've had this large jar of stuffed greek olives on the kitchen counter for a while now. It was just too pretty to open. But today, well, today seemed like the perfect time to crack open that big beast of a jar. To say they were delicious is an understatement. Pure pleasure.

some sunshine, alone, and tuna

1. Sunny drive to Victoria and back.

2. Spending some time alone and enjoying every minute of it.

3. A tuna sandwich on soft parmesan bread, with mayo, lettuce, tomato and some black olives. Okay, so the  black olives aren't for everyone :)