mondays, wondering and nutbars

1 A workday that includes a plethora of meetings of different sorts. It seems like Monday's are now "Meeting Mondays"
2 The tide is out and there are beach combers all over the beachfront. I wonder what treasures are hidden in their pockets and packs.

3 Each admin worker gets a surprise chocolate bar. Attached is an amusing note. We find out it's the most unlikely of the nurses that's been playful with us. 

gardens, hatched and perfectly pink

1 Gardens are a labour of love, primarily labour. Russ spends time with me planting some dracenas that have outgrown their pots. Now the gardens are looking a bit tropical with the two palm trees and these new additions. I'm really appreciating his help. He's kinda getting into it.

2 He's hatched a new plan to get cedars planted in behind our little mini forest area. It'll work as long as the little darlings get a watering system. It will make it very private from the neighbours.

3 A pink tulip that is spectacular in design and colour. I think it's called perfection. 

support local, hard work and humming birds

1 We made our way down to the Lantzville Legion for a fundraiser for the new Lantzville Farmers Market. It was a beer and burger meal with silent auction. 135 people attended! Good going Lantzville.
2 He's really pleased with all the his work so he takes me on a tour of the yard. He's cleared dead brush out the back area, planted both of the windmill palms and moved the red maple.
3 Hummingbirds are everywhere but for some strange reason they aren't eating from our feeder. He's cleaned, bleached, sanitized (to get rid of the bleach smell) and made them two different batches of food. hmmm Perhaps we should purchase a new feeder. Suggestions?

photography, biding time and loud

1 Finding an online photography course.  http://camillestyles.com/2012/photography-school-1-aperture/

2 Veggies are in the greenhouse wet and warm. Some will live there permanently once the beds are ready and some are just visiting; waiting for their turn to get planted outside.

3 The frogs are on the move. Each night they seem that much louder, or maybe they're just louder.

my sweet girl, trees and documentary

smooshy face xo

1 She makes my heart sing. <3


2 A second windmill palm tree patiently waits to be planted. It's been raining too much for him to get it planted. I think the symmetry in the back yard will be stunning.


3 We watch the first part of a documentary on Frontline. It's well presented.  


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/money-power-wall-street/

get it done, tunes and hoping

1 I keep  my word and get the minutes done and mailed out before the end of the day. Okay I only had five minutes to spare but I made it.

2 New music, well new to me. Apparently even my husband's heard them on the radio. Gold on the Ceiling, Band - The Black Keys, Album - El Camino
3 Even though it's raining it still smells like summer. I hope it gets windy tonight and blows so the screens rattle.

meetings, sinking in and a new plant

1 My day ends up being a day of meetings. It's rather tiring but turned out to be interesting and satisfying as we made significant progress on our operational procedure manual for the new building.
2 Studying went well. Dare I believe some of the information is actually sinking in?
3 A new addition to our gardens. A windmill palm tree. 

Silent Sunday

explorers, scents, gate and sounds

1 We spend part of the day exploring an area of Nanoose Bay. Moorcroft Park. It's an old deactivated summer camp for children that's been shut down and turned into a nature park. It's full of beach, arbutus, douglas fir, red cedars, ferns of every kind, trails, lookouts and meadows. 
1a There's something quite magical about the shore. Can you smell the sea? 

2 It feels good to be outside and walking. We meander down so many trails we get lost and end up at the road. Which turns out to be a good things because it's right near a gate that I wanted to take a picture of. 
3 We heard and saw an owl and an eagle. The eagle make the strangest sounds. Kinda like he/she was having a conversation with the other. 

oops, wait and trees

1 I tell him what a great sleep I had last night and instantly I can hear the smile in his voice as he tells me he could hear me snoring through to the office. I'm grateful he has good hearing even though it's slightly embarrassing.


2 There are some possibilities on the horizon with work. I hear the words, "Be patient grasshopper" 


3 He's busy pricing cedar and fir trees which we'd like to plant around the perimeter of the yard. There're already large trees there but these would provide a privacy screen of sorts. 

faves, bits and imagine

1 Getting to talk to two of my most favourite people. I hope to see them in person soon.


2 Wandering along the new pathways at lunch. I like exploring even if it's just for a short bit of time.


3 Imagine being so tired that even sitting/lounging in a chair is too much effort. I crawl to bed and am asleep in an instant. 

toes, pot and despite it all

1 Warm toes on a cool night. What's the cause...socks, blanket, or are they just happy that I'm off of them.


2 Home made chili in the crock pot. Served with grated cheddar. 


3 We study despite the fact that we're both tired and yawning.

gone, feelings and soft whispers of wind

1 Her father has passed away and she is holding up well. She tells her stories and shares some of her special memories and I listen. 


2 There are a few people at work who are losing loved ones. It's like a cluster of them all at once. We support each other and I find that the pain I once felt has turned to something soft and special. 


3 More wind tonight. I love the sounds and feelings of wind. hmm I think I'm repeating myself with this post but never mind, I like the wind.

mackenzie, riders and is this working?

1 We spend the evening with new friends. Their daughter is just shy of six months and is such a sweet thing. 
2 The guys ride and boy do they ride. They come home sweaty and smiling and  covered in dirt and bruises. And they can't wait to do it again.
3 He reads the flash cards to me and I write and write and write. It must be sinking in...right? 

the list, owl and the call

1 Let's see how we did on the to do list today. Lawns mowed, clematis trimmed, wood chopped and either burnt or stacked, most of the rocks picked up and put into the trailer, hot tub readied and floors vacuumed, laundry done....oh yes, 2 hours of studying. Glad that's over.

2 We hear an owl hooting as we settle ourselves on the patio. What an unusual thing to hear during the day.
3 I'm looking forward to our talk tomorrow. It's been a long crazy week and  it will be good to catch up. 

silly, agenda and pictures

1 He hand feeds me my steak. He's so proud of his bbq skills these days...I indulge his silliness.


2 An agenda for Saturday that includes a little bit of just about everything.

3 She sends me photos of N over an international chat program. I'm happy to see his smile. He's holding a baby photo of himself that I sent along in the most recent care package. It's gotten them smiling.

sun, working and cookie love

1 The sun shines for the majority of the day bringing happy smiles to the faces of the clients we see today.
2 Flashcards that are working!
3 Chocolate and vanilla girl guide cookies. The girl that is selling them has a sign that says, "You know you want some". Too cute and effective. 

cards for learning, walks and reminders

1 Flash cards are remade with shorter answers for easier retention...I hope!


2 A short walk after dinner rejuvenates us and we are pleased to have actually done it. The goal is to have walk more and walk daily.


3 There was lots of fun and joking today at work. Still it reminds me that there are lines not to cross and people that we need to be sensitive to.

picture taker, just a word, eyes and stuff

1 A new camera plus a zoom lens means I am once again taking photos and my smile has returned. I'm so very happy with the new gear.
2 My granddaughter can finally say Grandma. My heart sang when I heard the word. <3
2a Our grandson is adorable! He was making googly eyes to me and smiling up a storm on our skype call.
3 He spends the day in Vancouver with our aunt and comes home with all sorts of treasures. Tired by happy he unloads the truck and tomorrow we'll go through it all.

fun, blessed and sea life

1 It feels good to hear that she had a great weekend. I'm so glad she had fun. We certainly enjoyed ourselves too. 

2 We are blessed with an amazing country to live in. 

3 An Easter Monday walk on the beach. It was low tide so we saw lots of unusual things like blue fluorescent kelp, large clusters of black <alive> sand dollars, frolicking harbour seals, starfish and some strange multi-legged sea creature!

south island, park and happy times

1 We meander down south island yet one more weekend! Gosh that's three in a row! 

2 Mill Hill Provincial Park proves to be a great walk and spectacular views.


3 A visit with my niece is full of fun, laughter and lots of teasing and playfulness. What a wonderful way to spend Easter.

music, togetherness and rice

1 I'm hurting a bit today, head and neck. So when I ask him to put on some music he puts on Pink Floyd's album Animals. Softly it plays and surprisingly it is the perfect selection.
2 We work outside together today. It's nice to have some company while I work. 

3 White rice with butter and soy sauce. M says it's rice Toyko style. 

trillium, walking, dog and their owners and in the garden

 1 When we were first dating he introduced me to the trillium plant. In fact one year I got one in a pot to plant in our yard from him and the boys. It's special to us. So today when we were out walking he noticed one on the side of the pathway and mentioned it to me. I like it so much when these connections suddenly are with us. 
2 We spend the morning walking on a new trail in our neighbourhood. The sun on my face is warm and I notice I keep turning my face to the sky to drink in as much as I can. 
3 We encounter some dog walkers on our way. It's interesting to see how people train or don't train their pets. How their owners behave is tell tale.
4 We spend time in the garden in the late afternoon and get a big chunk of ivy out of the side bed. Its roots are deep and invasive but my man flexes his muscles and it's out in no time flat. I notice some of the existing plants have roots above ground. The soil isn't the greatest there so tomorrow we will add more soil to the beds.

java, gone and too much

1 After work I've been indulging in decaf Irish cream coffee with lots of cream and sugar. It's the perfect drink these days. Well perfect for me.


2 My friend's gone back to her home and I miss talking to her and seeing her face. Our visits were short but somehow full. 


3 A large insect flies into the meeting room and I am skittish thinking it's a bee. I get up to go get my epi-pen and she says, "Oh it's just a fly" and we smile. I sit down and immediately the fly heads towards me and almost hits me in the head...I instinctively duck even though  it's a fly not a bee. Too funny.

patience, meeting and wait

1 He is frustrated and I watch my words tonight. Still, he's trying his best so I try too.


2 Our meeting is semi productive. We discuss a lot of issues and although there are no definite solutions we all can see that there are some recommendations that might lead to better things. Time will tell. I can't wait to read the first report.


3 I've made my point. I've been heard. I have more to say. I am patient. It will happen.

should i, rest and say nothing

1 A sore tummy and a wonky headache means no studying...should I really be grateful that I don't have to study? hmmmmm


2 Finding a quiet place to rest.


3 She offends me and I keep silent. I'm grateful for my quiet tongue so that I do not stir the pot for others.

visitors, lamb and our tub overfloweth

1 We had visitors over tonight and were enchanted with their daughter, Mackenzie. Sweet light and goodness.


2 Roasted lamb smothered in a white wine dijon. Deluxe!


3 A hot tub overflowing with water and with people!

petals, quiet and time

1  As we travel through the streets of Victoria it's easy to see the lush plants and the eagerness of the gardeners. The cherry trees are in bloom and their blossoms are scattered everywhere.


2 With our winter tires off for the season the car is much quieter. 


3 A quick dip in the hot tub before bed. We stay in just long enough to appreciate Mars and moon before clouds roll in encasing the sky in darkness.