marked, pb&j and flo

1 My final exam grade is 88.5% I am pleased.
2 Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It's not a real dinner but damn it was mighty fine.
3 Flo is sales manager at Costco. She is so sweet and friendly, I can see why she's the new manager. Congrats to her!

over and done, still on the tree and sing it!

1 The day is spent working on the last assignment and it is finished, finally.

2 The pears are ripe for the pickin'! Canned, poached, frozen or dried. Does anyone have other suggestions for pears? 

3 There's something about driving down a road with the sun shining and Neil Young belting out Cinnamon Girl

four, three words of delicousness and read it please

1 Four more sleeps and he's home. I'm already planning and getting ready for our time. Note to self: Give the poor man a couple of days to acclimatize.
2 Mac and cheese! 
3 Lots of talk of bears around our neighbourhood but so far we haven't seen any. It makes me a wee bit nervous so he says to take the bear spray when I run. Good plan. Note to self: Read the instructions before you go out!

Franco, closer than it seems and apples

1 A few weeks ago we met one of our neighbours, Franco is his name. He's in our area but not close by, so it was nice he stopped and introduced himself. Today he's returned with some fruit, fresh figs, plums and a white berry that looks like a raspberry but tastes like honey, and a bouquet of kale. I send him home with a bowl of tomatoes and the promise to see him again when Russ is home.
2 It feels good to be the 'go to' person. I'm happy to be there and always will be just a phone call away.
3 Apples, apples and more apples. I'd better get them picked soon and not let the deer or bears get them.  They can be cut up and frozen or maybe some applesauce, maybe both! Or maybe apple butter...hmmm 

3/4 complete, G and what is it?

1 Well, it's done. My final Project Management exam happened at 10:30 this morning. Now I wait for the results. Final assignment submission is Wednesday.

2 G says call me when it's over and I do. We have a great chat about kids and grandkids, pets, partners and just about anything else. I miss her.

3 It's fun when you're looking for a certain size of clothing and you find them hidden away in the bottom of a pile. I wonder did someone hide them there to get later or was it a random chance that I found them?

figs, overdone and good night

1 Figs, glorious figs. It's that time of year again when the lovelies are ripe and dripping honey.

2 I overdid it a bit today. Studying intermixed with washing floors, making salsa verde and more studying. I'm really grateful to have clean floors, canning and a closed book. 

3 I think I'm ready for the exam and if I'm not well what can I do. Time for a good night's sleep, run in the morning, shower and look my best and face the  music. Sweet dreams all.

snoring, meeting and doing

1 Kitty and I spend some time on the patio. She climbs up on my lap and drifts off rather quickly. Strange how I never noticed that she snores.

2 I meet more neighbours each time I go for my run. Today it was a lovely elderly woman who was out tending to her gardens. She rambled but then so do I.

3 I find the rhythm in my day and find I manage to get quite a few things done.

notes to self 1, 2 and 3

1 A thoroughly enjoyable phone call with my dear friend J. She's living in the interior which is many hours away, so a phone call is the perfect way to catch up. I loved hearing about her two and a half pound dog! Is that possible? Note to self: call J more often.

2 Despite my best efforts at procrastinating I manage to get through all the study material and flash cards more times than I can count. It's repetitive necessary but dry! Note to self: take a fun course next.

3 Thinking it's time to get the canner out and make some salsas with the tomatoes we've grown this summer. Spicy, medium and some salsa verde. Yup, just need some jalepenos, peppers and a few other goodies that I'll pick up at the farmers market Sunday. Note to self: make a shopping list.

air, rare and satisfaction (not the song)

1 I love how the air smells different with the change in seasons about to happen. It's crisp and clean and after last night's rain, fresh.

2 Steak that is medium rare and seared perfectly goes very well with potato salad. 

3 I take satisfaction in really cleaning sometimes. Russ laughs when I clean, I mean seriously clean because in the past it's meant I am processing something in my brain. Today it's just cleaning.

pets, cookie monster and mr froggie

1 Max (black lab) gets pretty excited for all potential person who will pet him. I pet him and offer him a treat. I win!
2 The Wednesday farmers market is very busy with vendors selling everything from sea salt products to breads and veggies, honey and meats. I buy cookies and eat them before dinner.
3 The frog finds a home and I find the frog. He's under the hot tub cover. He is so tiny but can jump a mile. 

plan, mr blue eyes and think twice

1 She finds the time to call and we go over a nutritional plan to help me with the anemia. It pleases me when to hear her list of foods to include because most of them are on my faves list already.

2 His new sweater is navy in colour but warm and cozy. His blue eyes will pop from this colour.

3 I think I'm over thinking things when it comes to the assignment for this class. I make a mental note to just write it down, walk away and edit later. 

simplicity, brain function and le petit grenouille

1 It's a simple day. I send a box to the kids, vote on the new collective agreement and run a few other errands. Then it's home to study and finalize the one assignment.

2 An early morning run while it's still cool. My coach tells me an early morning run helps my brain to work more efficiently. Hey I'll go with that.

3 Our tree frog has made his way back from wherever he's been residing. He is a wee creature but very loud. I wonder if he sounds loud to himself.

goodbye, teary and found it

1 The house is eerily quiet now that Toby has left with his new dad. He will have a big yard on the ocean with children to play with, a mom who works from home and people who love him. He's a lucky boy. Goodbye.

2 My tears fall part sadness and part joy. 

3 I find a old air conditioner in the workshop and clean it up. Tomorrow I'll send it by bus to the kids who are sweltering in the hot Okanagan heat. Sometimes fans just don't cut it!

lilac, kong and back to normal

1 The California Lilac needs pruning. I use the pruning shears tentatively at first but before I know it 3/4 is gone! It has dead branches underneath so it's an overall trim.

2 Toby really wants to chew. His kong is filled with peanut butter and that keeps him occupied for a little while. 

3 The weather has changed and the 14 day forecast is for cooler weather. This morning it's 16 and overcast. A nice change from 32 and 70% humidity.

busy, outside and a new list

1 Toby is a busy busy boy. He likes to chew so the rawhide bones do the trick at least for a while. Until he digs a hole and buries them! 

2 Our patio is in the shade all day and with the breeze it's very pleasant. I'd sleep outside if we had an upper deck.

3 Now that I'm not working there's time for gardening, cleaning, painting, all the things I set aside with working full time. It is time for the white board and new lists!  I love lists.

layoff, lad, more and trading spaces

1 I ask for a layoff and a letter of reference today from my supervisor. The tone is pleasant, polite and professional. I hope they will do this so I can get Employment Insurance. It feels good to have done it. It is the right thing.

2 The lad looks and smells wonderful. His coat is clean so what does he do right out of the bath?  Yup you got it, he rolls in the grass and dirt!

2a He's staying with me until Sunday afternoon. Good. I wasn't quite ready for him to go yet. 

3 M and I have a good conversation. They're moving into a new place this weekend. Good stuff, cuz it's got a nice big yard and space for the four of them.

maybe, running and G

1 We've had a few calls on the lad and one family in particular sounds wonderful. Tofino acreage on water. Not fenced but treed. Two little girls to love him. They will let me know tomorrow if he's 'the one'. 

2 Running. I have to admit I never ever thought I'd like it but it is relaxing and healing. At first I kept thinking 90 days of running! Now I think when can I run?

3 A walk with a friend. To have someone to walk with again is so nice. I miss my walking partner from Nelson. ♥

rescued, the colour and flying

1 We rescue a pup from a bad situation <party house> and bring him home to clean him up, get him his shots and find him a new home. He's lovely, beautiful temperament and sweet. His name is Toby. We won't keep him just find him a better home. He's going to be a big boy!

2 I think I've found the colour I have been dreaming of for our bedroom. Yes!

3 I miss my man already. Here's hoping that 21 days flies by! 

fallers, wood pile and spaces and places

1 The tree fallers come today and cut back a couple of our arbutus trees. We are trying to save them so we cut the dead and blight infested pieces off and hope for the best!

2 He saws, and chops the wood and we have a full cord of wood for next year. Is this more evidence of his being 'wood drunk'?

3 Lots of time to run but we do it later in the evening and go down a new road. It's nice to look at the other spaces and places.

helpful, adventurers and bbq

1 Spending time together, walking and running. He's helping me get started on our new program. I like it a lot!

2 We go on another adventure to a different Provincial Park and see Little Qualicum Falls. It's a lush, lovely and the falls are incredibly high up. I'm not too sure of it all and I end up holding his hand tighter than either of us thought possible.

3 He has fun with the BBQ. I'm so pleased he's finally enjoying it. It was a long time coming but so worth it! His skills are amazing!

90 days, yoda and showers of light

1 The commitment is made. A 90 day challenge from my chiropractor/running coach. Can you believe it? Yesterday we did a more walk than run first day and it was perfect. Today it's day two and we head to a new walkway in our neighbourhood! Another good outing!  Each run is 30 minutes. Walk for 5 minutes at the beginning and end and for 20 minutes do a run/walk section. He tells me there is no formula of minute of this or that. It's important to just listen to my body and walk or run as my body not my mind, (which is going - woohoo I'm actually doing it), but my body leads me! And it's so much fun starting this with Russ. 

2 My coach is like Yoda. There is no try, just do. 

3 The meteorite shower is fun two watch from our perches in the hot tub. Sunday night is supposed to be the best night for watching. Looking forward to that.

exploring, at the beach and profile

1 A trip to Englishman River Falls. It's a 3 km trail with lots of falls and places for swimming. It's a provincial parks so lots of campers and picnickers. We wandered for hours, had our own picnic and then explored elsewhere.
2 At the beach there is a display from the Sand Sculpture contest from a few weeks back. Some of the sculptures are large but the smallest one won. It was stacked tea cups with liquid pouring out...all made of sand. 

3 I like this photo of his profile. 

no, buzzing and snuggling

1 They can't come after all but I'm grateful they tried. They're moving into a new place so that really has to be their priority. I'm making plans to go see them instead. 

2 We buzz around shopping and spending the day doing appointments and errands. Eventually our buzzing slows and we land at home to nap.

3 He curls around me and put his arm around my waist when we sleep. I like.

here, coming, hatching and do unto others

1 The plane is delayed but only by a fifteen minutes. Is it possible for fifteen minutes to feel that long? Never mind, he's home now.

2 Chris calls this morning and asks if I'd like company this weekend. Well of course I would! My fingers are crossed that their plans will work out and we can spend time with them for a few days. Oh how I miss the little ones.

3 I am hatching plans. What for you might ask? Their visit of course. Meals, activities, who sleeps where, what needs doing or picking up, and on it goes.

4 A phone call and then a letter. Both from co workers. It's nice to be thought of. I must remember to do the same for others.

out of the blue, typhoon, ideas and homeward bound

1 It happened out of the blue. The whole house shook from it. Thunder! Then tons of rain coming down hard and fast. We rarely have thunderstorms on the island so it's unusual and exciting. It reminds me of the Kootenays, where I grew up. We'd all gather by the window with the best view and watch the lightening and count for the next thunderclap. One one thousand, two one thousand...

2 Our son in China texts me right after our storm passes to say that the they are in the middle of a typhoon. He says the rain comes sideways and most of Hangzhou is shut down. He's on the 18th floor. I wonder if his building sways? He laughs and says they are safe and have enough food and water for five days.

Typhoon Haikui 
Photos from Aug 6 2012 - Prelude to Typhoon Haikui

3 I find some ideas for the house...paint colours, fabric and blinds. hmmm Must remember to pace myself.

4 One more sleep for me, one more night shift for him and he's home. ♥

note, inversion and lulls

1 He's a bit under the weather again with the last portion of his cleanse. Water and more water is my remedy. He says it's helping. We'll both be glad when this is done. Note to self: eat healthy all the time and avoid cleanses.

2 There is an inversion today so the clouds are low and the air is trapped near the surface. It's muggy out. One clerk tells me it's how Toronto is in the summer. For us it's just an anomaly.

3 The ceiling fan spins gentle wisps of air down to my hot self. The soothing sound to the fan coupled with the moving air lulls me to sleep. 

my spot, blues and beans

1 The day is sweltering so I head to the beach, just like everyone else it seems. One side is sunny and sandy so most people head there. I head to a shady spot with a bench and sit myself down. The cooling breeze washes over me mimicking the waves on the beach. 

2 Shades of blue.

3 Green beans, steamed and nothing else.

not one tree left, silky and up

1 The neighbours a few doors down have cut down every single tree on their half acre lot. I'm so very grateful for our abundance of trees and the shade and shelter we get. I'm sad to see all those lovelies gone.

2 The oscillating fan moves ever so slowly across and back again. The breeze touches my skin like whispers of silk.

3 I'm finally able to put my hair up into the tiniest of pony tails. I like that it's off of my neck and face.

arrivals, h20 and reward

1 Their box and envelope have arrived in China! Whew! It's exciting to know that they can start the visa process and hopefully come home for Christmas! 


2 Hot water that slides down my back that heats and  soothes these muscles and bones.


3 The roses are blooming yet again. Tomorrow they'll be treated to some Miracle Grow as a reward.

warmish, smallish and with thanks

1 Warm days on the island are very different from the interior. There it is hot and dry, here it's warm and humid. Both are good in their own ways. It feels just right wherever you are, as long as it's warm.


2 Grapes! The crop is small but they're there!


3 I'm thankful that my hospital boss has been so kind, giving and generous with her patience and time. It meant a lot to work for her. She was firm but fair. I like that.

full moon, weeding and homegrown

1 It seemed a little bright last night so after a bit of research I see that August first is a full moon. Let the craziness begin.

2 The weeds around the fruit trees are really thick and difficult to pull out. I use the hand tools and manage to get the majority. The trees will thank me with bigger fruits.
3 The tomato was delicious. It is the first tomato to grow and ripen in the new green house.