missing, blessed and make a plan

1 My cousin's daughter has gone missing in Victoria BC. Her name is Emma Fillipoff and she's 26. . She is going through a tough time and we think there are mental health issues so we need to find her as soon as possible. Emma has been missing since Wednesday November 28, 2012. Please pray, hope or support their family in whatever way you can. Let's get her home safe. You can read the police media release here.

2 It's a day of contemplating how very blessed we are despite the chaos that surrounds us.

3 We make a plan to hike tomorrow rain or shine! It's time to do some fun things with the Mr while he's home.
Rosewell Park is the choice so far.

what's in a name?, done and successes

1 There are no words really to describe this but yes, he's flying the remote control helicopter in the house! And he's given it a name. T40

2 The island home is finally cleared out totally! The clearing out and cleaning up just never seemed to end. It's clean and ready for a new family. Here's hoping the kids find great tenants.

3 We ate out last night and our gluten free dinners were amazing. Blackened chicken salad for him and fish tacos with salad for me. My salad was awesome with lettuce, spinach, jicama, feta, sweet walnuts and a lovely mustardy dressing. Gluten free peanut butter cookie for him and granola bar for me today with coffee. We just might be getting the hang of this!

order, remote controlled and up late

1 We'll take one order of exercise to go, please, with a side of rain. Fun words to think about when it's pouring rain and we're contemplating a run. Should we wait til it lets up or just go for it?

2 He gets a remote control helicopter and we get silly about what we could do with it. What about shining a light above us onto the road so we can run at night? Much nicer than a headlamp.

3 Our discussion on 'critical thinking processes' takes us into the wee hours of the night. 

tom, catch up and truth

1 I'm a Tom Hanks fan. Recently it's been fun to watch some of his earlier work, Sleepless in Seattle, Castaway, Forrest Gump and tonight it was The Terminal. Wonderful film that focuses on the spirit of man and how we can triumph over adversity. Some of the subplots are implausible of course, after all it is Hollywood. Nonetheless, it was worth the watch.

2 It was a fun online chat with an old friend. We were such good and close friends when we lived in the interior and even though we are far away we every now and then have a chance to catch up. I miss him raiding our fridge, settling in on the futon and telling stories while drinking red wine. 

3 This little saying rings true for us. "It's not what's under the tree that matters, it's who's around it"

movie time, one more week and sunny day

1 The fire is lit, the house is warm and it's the perfect spot to cuddle on the sofa and watch an old black and white movie.The Americanization of Emily (1964) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA-UbX5NZxA

2 One more week. The office emails to let the candidates know that the selection process for the job won't be completed until sometime next week. Oh more practice in patience.

3 The weatherman predicted a rainy day but once again the sun is shining and the clouds have moved on. It's all guess work isn't it? Still, it's nice when the nice weather is here.

praying, baking and waiting

1 Finally I find two pairs of jeans that fit and don't need to be hemmed. It's a challenge when you're in between sizes! Please God don't let me grow into these!

2 The gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and power bars. There's enough to last him a few days. He likes his sweets with tea. 
Power Bars

• 2 cups almonds (raw)
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup unsalted almond butter 
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 4 drops stevia
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup  chocolate chips
• Place almonds, hemp hearts shredded coconut, almond butter and salt in a food processor. Pulse briefly, about 10 seconds. In a double boiler, melt coconut oil over very low heat. Remove coconut oil from stove, stir stevia, honey and vanilla into oil. Add coconut oil mixture to food processor and pulse until ingredients form a coarse paste. Press mixture into an 8 × 8 glass baking dish. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens. In a double boiler, melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring continuously. Spread melted chocolate over bars; return to refrigerator for 30 minutes, until chocolate hardens. Remove from refrigerator, cut into bars and serve

3 One more sleep. 

post, cat and recipes

1 The blog post was entitled, "winds of change". It  reminds me of how fear can sometimes strangle us in its icy grip unless we are brave enough to embrace it. Then that fear loosens it's hold and melts away. When that happens there is opportunity, challenge and that's when we can really grow.

2 We have a cat. A very typical cat. She is snobby, meowy, standoffish (unless it's Russ), she prances about and can be very demanding but we love her because of all that. Recently she's decided to weave in my ankles again and again while I'm in the kitchen. She thinks she'll get soft food if she tries hard enough. She's right.

3 The fridge is stocked with fresh vegetables and the freezer has some organic chipolte burgers and lamb. He's home Monday and I'm not working so it'll be fun to have someone to cook for. We are trying to eat gluten free. I'm looking for a good cookie recipe if anyone is willing to share....yes please!

port, two men and pancit

1 We drive through the torrential rain to the west coast and have a bit of a look about. The harbour  is old and run down but the workers still have smiles on their faces as they go about their business.

2 One man slaps his friend on the back and they share a private joke, then turn and go their separate ways.

3 Somehow  eating with chopsticks just makes it fun and it takes longer to eat especially when you try to pick up the mini bits.

Ingredients
Pork and shrimp pancit

1 (6.75 ounce) package rice noodles
5 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups cooked small shrimp, diced
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked pork
4 cups shredded bok choy
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 green onion, minced
Directions
Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes; drain.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a wok or large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Saute noodles for 1 minute. Transfer to serving dish, and keep warm. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet, and saute onion, garlic, ginger, shrimp and pork for 1 minute. Stir in bok choy, oyster sauce and chicken broth. Season with pepper flakes. Cover, and cook for 1 minute, or until bok choy is wilted. Spoon over noodles, and garnish with minced green onion.

waiting, I helped them and the wood pile

1 They say patience is a virtue. Still waiting to hear about the interview and the job posting. I'm not sitting on pins and needles but it would be nice to get some feedback for next time.

2 It's a warm feeling when people are thankful for the little things. A few members are in a flap about various things and when they hang up the phone after our conversation it's obvious that they're feeling calmer and have what they need.

3 There's always a storm brewing in winter on the island and tonight is no exception. The wood box is empty so it's two trips to the woodshed to get topped up for a couple more days. He did such a great job of splitting and stacking the firewood and even put in a light in the woodshed that it's an easy job even in the wind and rain. 

silly tv, brick by brick and curiosity

1 It's fun to watch some old tv shows now and then. Tonight it's Ally McBeal. She is some kind of crazy and I actually laugh out loud...pure silliness!

2 Exposed brickwork in buildings. It inspires and evokes a feeling of history. I like to imagine what the original building might have been like.

3 We have some giggles and spend some time wondering what the renovation will be and why she didn't get more details....can't wait for pictures to have the puzzle solved. Soooo curious!

more, 'the interview' and simplicity

1 Rudy returns for part two of the cleanup. He makes it look so easy. He's fast, efficient and when he is done the gardens look amazing. What he can do in five hours, I do in 5 days! 

2 The interview. It's an hour and a half long, 20 questions some with multiple parts and yet the two women who did the interview made it much less stressful than I'd anticipated. Many thanks to them for that.  It was a good experience regardless of who gets the job.

3 A simple dinner of steamed potatoes and carrots with a garden salad. Nice and refreshing after a stressful day.

new coffee maker, smiling and lips

1 Keurig coffee makers are the best! Little pods that just make one cup at a time. Different flavours, regular, decaf each cup is different. 

2 The yoga class is a combination of older and younger women focusing on self nurturing. The classroom is warm and welcoming and each face seems to have a hint of a smile. 

3 49 cents for a Dr  Pepper lip gloss. Lips are soft, shiny and it adds a hint of colour. Who knew ?

oddball, winds and for her

1 The man in the shop is putting away his shopping cart so I offer to take the cart from him and open my purse to look for a loonie. He says in no uncertain terms, "I don't take quarters." It flusters me but I manage to find one and he snatches it from me and bolts. I wonder if he was rethinking his words. I couldn't help but smile at his quirkiness.

2 Starry, starry night...it won't last long another storm is coming tonight with winds 70-90km/hr. 

3 Sending my love and warm thoughts her way for tomorrow. Best love.

bigger than expected, done and sent and kitty

1 The storm hit with a vengeance later in the evening. The screens and gutters were rattling and the wind chime sang all night long. 

2 The paperwork is filled out, scanned and emailed to the vision specialist. The appointment is this coming Friday. Fingers are crossed they'll give me some exercises to strengthen the muscles and avoid prisms in the glasses.

3 Kosha is cuddly tonight. I wonder if it's the storm or she's just in a mood. She prefers being outside even in storms and she prefers Russ. Tonight it's my turn. Best ever.

gifts, two and Rudy

1 A very busy day at work today. It seemed like I was putting out fires all day. Lots of unexpected things that in the end were 'handled.' The rep gives me some kudos and my guy virtual hugs.

2 There are just two of us being interviewed. She's got much more experience and seniority so the job will go to her but they'll know I'm interested and willing to do the interview which hopefully will get me more work down the road.

3 He says, 'I guess we have a gardener." How lucky we are to have found a handyman who does excellent work. When I come home today he's been here and done an amazing job. The yard is cleaned up, mowed, branches taken away, grapes pruned, driveway blown free of pine needles and leaves and best of all, all the waste is gone. So very very thankful.

time, walk and spiders

1 It is time to study for the interview. They say to study the union structure and scenarios. 

2 A great walk. The dogs bark, birds sing, leaves fly and wind blows. It was a great walk.

3 She gives me some spider plants cuttings and they're finding a new home on the corner shelves. Some of the plants already have babies hanging from them and look older than they are.

no hurts, perfect and interview

1 After all the pruning, raking and piling I thought these old bones would be aching but it's a pleasant surprise that they're not!

2 Yoga class was full but at the last minute a call comes from the teacher and there is an open spot. When I arrive the spot is perfect, in the sun and near the heater so it's extra warm. Practice was perfect.

3 Well, wow! A call comes today inviting me to a job interview at the union office next Tuesday at 1pm. It totally caught me off guard and it is unexpected because the last time the job was posted no one told me and my supervisor even said I'd never have gotten the job. I am embracing the invite and feeling happy to be asked. 

trees, wants and fun stuff

1 It was great watching the videos on pruning, so informative and practical. Today was the day to try out that knowledge and it was pretty successful if I do say so myself. Tools used were snippers, reciprocating saw, hack saw, ladder and gloves. Two trees done and 3 to go. Just waiting for the leaves to fall off  of those ones first.

2 Toasted bacon, lettuce and tomato with baby dills on the side. I had one but I wanted more!

3 A fun run today. Songs were running through my head, a silly conversation with a barking dog  and toadstools that looked magical but not touchable.

igloos, listen and the perfect cup

1 They look like leaf igloos all over the yard. Once the rain stops they will get dumped into the back of the pickup. Next year we'll have a compost and make rich soil but this year he's away and it's a project beyond my scope....or is it? 

2 The hip is healed! It's been over a week of rest and it's ready to go again. This time more listening to the signals to rest, walk or run instead of the endorphin's that say, "you're a rock star don't stop!" 

3 The cup of coffee is luscious, delicious and just perfect for the afternoon break from leaf raking. I notice myself sighing and smile knowing it's a sigh of contentment.

partiers, what happened and the browser

1 The young lady living next door loves to have parties when her parents are away. It's loud with screaming and yelling, rap music and silly attempts to jump on their trampoline while inebriated and in the rain...oh and the random car alarm. But they never damage anything or come to our home and tonight it ends abruptly (the wee hours mind you). Thanks to the parents or police for stopping this one earlier than most.

2 It seems like it happened overnight. The green leaves in our yard turned yellow and dropped. A bit of raking in the rain never hurt anyone. The piles of leaves are against walls and in spots where they won't be blown around all over again...hopefully!

3 I find lights for the kitchen and almost purchase them but don't. The light over the sink won't match up even closely so it's back to browsing again. Never know what you'll find or what will find you when you're not really looking.

burlap wraps, Rex and winterwear

1 With a cold front on the way I rush to find out what needs to be done to protect the two new palms we planted this summer. It's a burlap wrapped trunk with burlap pushed into the pockets where the limbs meet the trunk to protect the plant from snow or ice forming in there and hurting the plant. Note to self: the palms fronds have sharp edges, wear gloves. 

2 A dear friend gave birth to her first child today, a sweet baby boy named Rex. Feeling warm thoughts for her today and wishing them all the love in the world.

3 It's an addiction...closet cleaning. Summer shorts, shirts and skirts are in their respective plastic containers and the woolies, sweaters and warmer socks are on the shelves in their place. 

sign, listener and almost there

1 We do our morning walk and end up on trails and through some woods to get where we want to go. Signs of bear are on the trails but nothing that says it's near so we go on our merry way. 

2 She loves to talk and her stories get retold but I'm happy to be her ear today.

3 Two vegetable gardens are cleaned up and the tulips and garlic are planted. It's not enough spring bulbs so tomorrow it's time to look for the discounted ones and get this job completed.

inside job, warm yet? and w's

1 The sun is out but it's still very cool and the ground is damp from all the rain. Gardening will have to wait. Today is for inside jobs.

2 It was impossible to get warm after the walk until I layered up with three layers of clothing and started a roaring fire.

3 Some running around online!? Yes, it's much easier to look online for who, what, when, where and how. They why is up to us.

changing of the sheets, application and going back in time

1 It's time for warm flannel sheets on the bed especially when the windows are open while we sleep. The softness against my cheek invites me to snuggle in deeper for a few more minutes of sleep.

2 I apply for the union position knowing full well the job isn't really available to me because I lack the seniority and the experience. However it was good to apply anyways and make it know to management my interest and hopes for more work in the future.

3 The house heats up quickly once the fire is roaring in the wood stove. It snap, crackle and pops and just those words make me laugh and think of Rice Krispies! Yikes I think that makes me sound OLD!

reasons, clean and time

1 Even though we made the list for today we get none of it done and scramble to get to the airport on time but we do! A lie in, and coffee were our biggest culprits.

2 Two clean desks. I love it when there is a sense of organization in our work spaces. It doesn't matter that this is usually short lived, it's how it feels right now that counts.

3 I'ts time to watch some Grey's Anatomy and eat popcorn. 

workload, tartness and tomorrow comes too quickly

1 A productive work day despite the fact that there are more questions than answers. It's a challenge when I only get called in every few months. Now there's a flurry of work coming up for me so I'm hopeful I can learn on the fly!

2 Little lemon cookies with fresh coffee for afternoon coffee break. Oh and those cookies are lemony and tart!

3 Planning for tomorrow. Breakfast out, getting burlap sacks to enclose the palm trees, perhaps we'll even finish up raking and piling the pine needles and make a dump run before he's off on the plane again.

reclined, she thinks positively and hip hop

1 The coffee shop has an urban chic feel to it with steel panels and two garage doors that lead to a patio outside. Inside there are comfy chair and cozy seating areas. The upper level has a fireplace with two luxurious black leather sofas. We smile at each other when we realize the woman sitting on one of the sofas is not seated by actually lying down! Oh wait there's more, the old man reading his book is sleeping sitting up in his chair! 

2 We try a new Vietnamese restaurant and although the food is mediocre the lone server is excellent with an amazing attitude. She definitely earned her tips tonight.

3 The hip is happy for a few days rest from running. I miss the endorphin's but know I'll be back on the run in the next few days.

toe warmers, emergencies and documentaries

1 Warm toes from extra special home made socks. Not wool because that's itchy but a toasty yarn that is also a lovely shade of red. Yay for red socks!

2  With the recent earthquake north of us we know it's time to actually get an emergency kit together. It's a list of what we need, what we currently have and where it currently lives and we'd better put it altogether. This could be a fun project.

3 We watch a youtube documentary on spies put together by the BBC. BBC makes some of the best documentaries. Ya gotta love a man with a british accent.

first and last, desserts, steamy

1 A trip to Gabriola is in order and we get the majority of things done with a few things to come back to repair. We race to the ferry with no time to spare. Wednesday we were first on, this time we are last on!

2 He's polished off 3 dozen cookies in 3 days, so it's a blueberry/apple pie with crumble topping for dessert.

3 Hot tub time with blustery winds and rain pelting our faces. The steam rising off of the water mimics the clouds moving over the moon in the sky.

somebody, doing it wisely and oldie but goodie

1 Lots of running around to do with errands and appointments. It's nice to have someone to do that with.

2 The woodshed is full of split and stacked wood making it so easy to pile wood into the wheelbarrow and bring to the house. Two wheelbarrows full will fill two boxes and leave some extra so that it only has to be brought over every few days.

3 The  dog living next door is a very old Shepherd who loves howling at any siren he is able to hear. He's a sweet old boy.