settled, not to bad, and she smiled

1 Rain, rain, and more rain. The clouds are thick, low and settling in for a good long visit.
2 What I thought would be difficult was quick and easy. Both women are full of stories and we laugh our way through it.
3 I share the mantra with a women suffering from migraines. She is surprised yet receptive and very grateful for a gesture of kindness.

wow walkers, the photo, and mantra

1 The Walk on Wednesday (WoW) group is increasing in size each week. If we'd all been there, there would have been 22 of us. Great group of people, lots of things in common and new places to explore.

2 I take a photo of 'the girls' and M sends me a thank you note because they're thrilled with the results. I'm posting it here. What do you think?
3 Yoga is about breath and movement, mindfulness and meditation. K gives us a mantra that is worth sharing. She says she says this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If you wish to share this saying on behalf of someone, just change it to you instead of I.

May I be filled with loving kindness.
May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease.
May I be happy.

tea please, a special call, and taking shelter

1 The day is filled with an assortment of errands and appointments. After all the running around, it's time for a proper cup of tea and some biscuits.
2 He usually sleeps during the day but today he is awake, restless he says. He calls just to check up on me, see how my day is going and to tell me he's very proud of my progress and he sees big successes coming my way, followed by a warm I love you. I melt.
3 The winds are shaking the outside of the house, branches are being snapped off of trees, and so far no sign of the racoon that woke me up at 2am last night. He's probably hunkering down from the storm.

bento box, the shopper, and poof

1 A lunch bento box is the perfect size. It is enough for both lunch and dinner. Tea, miso soup, tempura, sashimi, sushi and salad. Talk about tantalizing the pallet.
2 She has such joy and enthusiasm for shopping for specifics. It's intriguing to watch her face as she goes from rack to rack and then makes a selection. The LBD is perfect on her.
3 When they get ready to leave it's quick, and efficient. All of a sudden, there's a blur and they're gone.

he takes control, patiently waiting, and sharing

1 A trip to Gabriola to show the house to potential tenants is drawn out because of the existing 'evicted' tenant who refuses to leave. He takes control via the phone and soon she is at least out long enough for us view the home. Bailiffs appear to be on the horizon.
2 The two women are lovely and very patient.
3 T and S are waiting for me with a spread of cut fruits, cheeses and breads. We dine, chat, sip cider and share the goodness of ourselves.

normalizing, warming, and figuring it out

1 Things are slowly heading back to normal for the kids. They're home, resting and working on a new plan. It's times of trouble that can either pull us apart or draw us closer together.
2 The sunshine is so warm that I sit outside for a while just soaking in the warmth and goodness.
3 Our conversation is stilted the first go round. It's not easy to know where someone is at without seeing the expressions on their face. Later, we talk it out and it's all good.

best love

1 Yesterday our son and his family decided it would be fun to surprise Grama with a visit. Unfortunately, as they drove through the mountain pass they were in an extremely bad car accident. Their SUV hit ice and the vehicle flipped and it was totaled. They were taken to hospital and were checked out and everyone is okay. Tired, bruised and very grateful to be alive. I am filled with a deep love and gratitude that they are safe and home now. Angels guided you and kept you safe. Christopher, Michie, Izzy and Kes, we love you. 

coaching, training and loving

1 Having a life coach is turning out to be so much more than I ever expected. She has a way of hearing what is said and asking the questions that pull the answers out, even if they aren't what was expected.

2 The trainer at the gym is kind enough to walk me through a few more machines and we have a good chat about interval training, core strengthening exercises and meal planning.

3 She leaves me a voice message that melts my heart. "Hi Grama, I love you Grama, I miss you Grama". 

where did the time go?, bonus and tasty

1 A full day of things to do means the day flies by. Appointments, a hike with the Walk on Wednesday group, a meeting for volunteering and a blissful evening yoga class round out the agenda.
2 The idea was to volunteer for a local farmers market group that's trying to put together a co-op. It turns out the co-op is a for profit group and they want to pay me for doing a bit of website content management for them. Score!
3 Spring rolls toasted with sweet and sour sauce, a small salad and cookies for dessert. Yup, good dinner choices all round.

bye, call, and gone

1 Our goodbye is short and sweet. This time the turnaround has been much much too short and we both aren't ready to say goodbye, so short is best.
2 A call from the airport after he lands to say that the problem is sorting itself out and he's feeling good about that.
3 The last of the homemade chocolate is eaten and there is no way I'm making anymore unless company comes. It is that good.

rainy day, soil, and quiet time

1 A rainy day once again. Tonight it comes down in waves. We can hear it on the skylights, pounding intermittently.
2 The new soil is part fish, part soil, part compost. Should be excellent in the greenhouse. We will add some peat to lighten it up and if there's enough left over the fruit trees, raspberries and flowers will get a treat.
3 He's quiet tonight, it's his last night home before he has another long stretch away. 

virtual visit, songs, and sharing Sunday

1 A Skype call with the kids is always a challenge but oh so welcome. The little ones want to walk and climb, run and shout and show us all their toys and share everything. When it's time to say good bye, Kes makes eye contact with the screen and we know he's really seeing us. Izzy blows kisses. 
2 The birds serenade us as we walk past. They take turns for a bit then eventually they all join in and they're loud and somehow harmonious.
3 We spend time outside in the yard. He digs and I knock the soil off of the roots. We have some ideas for the fruit tree area and find a new home for the fig tree. Not sure when it will get moved, maybe he'll surprise me tomorrow and do it after he brings home a trailer load of topsoil.

sleeper, family time, boys, and take the scenic route please

1 The man is catching up on his sleep. Each night he's getting 10 or 11 hours and says he wants more. It's a challenge for his body clock, switching from nights to days. 
2 We travel up island to Courtenay and visit with family there. We haven't been able to get together for a long time so today the timing is perfect. It was especially fun to listen to them tell of their travels. Very inspiring.
2a The two boys are sweet and very likable and both are vying for my attention. One loves hockey the other is academic and is amazing with the rubix cube. Seriously, 28 seconds to solve it...wow!
3 It's fun to take the long route home. It follows the water and we see fisheries, oyster shacks, crab traps on the water, farmers markets and lots of sand because it's low tide.

clean sheets, little grains, and crossed off the list

1 There's something so comforting about sleeping in clean sheets. The smell and feel are luscious and I wish every night there would be clean sheets.
2 Quinoa with raw veggies and tahini sauce. It's not that easy to eat quinoa with chopsticks and dinner sure does take longer but it's fun.
3 There's some puttering to do outside so we head out to get things done. A couple of dead trees to chainsaw, branches to burn, planters need moving and wood needs to be brought to the house. Later while I make dinner, he changes the tires on the car from winters to the all-seasons. A rather productive afternoon.

fossils, very young, and happy valentine's day

1 We meander along the pathways looking at the petroglyphs from long ago. They are a bit difficult to see because they haven't been looked after, are covered in moss and pine needles, branches and the elements. The ones we do see are intriguing and we make up stories of what circumstances led to their demise. Petroglyph Provincial Park
2 The young man at the gym wears a shirt that says "personal trainer'. He is definitely new at the job and on a learning curve so as he talks to me I smile and he visibly relaxes.
3 Lunch at the Acme Food Co. restaurant on a Valentine's Day. We share food, drinks and indulge in some silliness too.

time, treats, and us

1 Lately there have been a lot of big noisy trucks leaving the neighbourhood in the early morning hours. Loud enough that the windows shake and they wake me. This morning my body clock wakes me before them and I close the windows escaping the noise.

2 There it's done. Yesterday, I mailed a Valentine's Day box to the kidlets and their babies. It's a tough, tight month for them financially so this will be a welcome treat for them all.

3 He is home. We hold each other for a long, long time savoring being together.

sunny day, closer, and please pass me a towel

1 There is sunshine. It slips through the window blinds and warms my skin making me want more.
2 I love anticipation when the goal is close at hand. 
3 A trip to the gym and all of a sudden I find myself a sweaty mess after a good long run on the treadmill.

hearts, knitting again, and guesses

1 The box is packed and ready for  mailing. It's full of candy hearts, kisses, knitted hats for each child that I made, books, and more goodies. Hope they like it!
2 The next knitting project is on the needles. A hat for Russ!
3 It was a fun facebook experiment. I posted a photo of pine cones in a tree and asked if anyone knew the name of the plant. Lots of feedback and fun and eventually an answer! I verified it with a local nursery and yup, it was right on! So fun we will have to do it again. 

up, free, and first

1 Tons of bulbs are poking up from the soil. Spring is a comin'
2 A free session with a life coach. She's just finished her schooling and working on her practicum. Should be interesting.
3 Seven places for us to hike are listed on the magic whiteboard. Which will we do first?

hiking again?, temporary, and third

1 What better way to start a Saturday than with a hike just steps from your own backyard. Yup, we headed up Sywash Ridge  and hiked through the forest and ferns. Apparently farther up the ridge there is a place called The Valley of Ferns. Really looking forward to finding that in the future.
2 The red pots are full of soil. One has some bulbs, one has a bush and one is waiting for filling. These are temporary plantings until I can figure out just what will be put there permanently.
3 Our son gets his third degree with the Knights of Columbus. Very proud of him, as always.

rosy red, sandwich, and it's a hit.

1 A walk around Westwood Lake is about 6 km. At the end of the hike we spot a young mom and her son having a picnic on the beach. He tells me it's great to be there but that he's getting cold. I laugh when he takes me up on my suggestion to run around and get warm. He darts here, there, and everywhere and soon his rosy cheeks are even rosier. 
2 What better to eat on a cool day, and after a brisk walk but soup and sandwich. Sadly the soup is disappointing but the sandwich is excellent. Thick bread with melted brie, chicken pieces and spinach. I think you'd love this one G.
3 Kosha our cat hasn't been eating so much lately, and for an old girl that's not good. After getting her a new dry food, she's eating again and lots of it. Perhaps our little princess was just bored with the current menu and was trying to make a point? Well played kitty, well played.

pots, birdland, and more than words can say

1 Cherry coloured pots for the inside and outside plants. Outside they will stand out against the pale brick, white garage doors, and the blue/grey trim. Inside they will add a pop of colour in a home that is mostly earth tones.
2 What started out as a windy, rainy day morphed into sunshine and blue skies. The birds too full advantage of the nice weather and once they had a replenished feeder invited all of their friends to come for a 'spring feast.'
3 After trying to install a printer and finding myself a bit stumped I ask for his help and he is more than willing to explain the steps. He usually does all the computer work and after seeing the time and effort involved in just one little thing, I am more than grateful that he handles this task. 

full of life, heat, and just a wee bit hungry

1 It's a 'full of life' day of activities starting with a walk/hike with a new walking group in the area. We walk through Bowen Park and see waterfalls, duck ponds and a salmon hatchery. 
2 Wednesday evenings are now committed to. Tonight we are treated to extra warmth with a higher heat setting and closed doors. The heat is luxurious and welcome.
3 Famished. Time to eat dinner after class and everything in the fridge looks like it should be on my plate. 

monday and tuesday...an assortment

1 Today it's  my time to work at the office. Three of the reps are there and they tell me that they'll be seeing me more in the future. That's a good sign.
2 The document is done and sent off to China. Now to wait and see how the professor likes my work.
3 Dinner for one. Instead of just randomly finding food for dinner I make a real one just for me. Chicken, rice, salad followed by fresh mango for dessert.
4 The winds are howling, the rain is falling and I'm running.
5 Groceries consisted of fruit and vegetables only today. $35 for two big bags. Score!
6 One week wait.

soup, exploring and we are amused

1 The house smells of lamb lentil soup. This batch has potatoes, carrots, peas, lentils, lamb and some salsa for that special taste. It's hearty and perfect for a blustery rainy Sunday.
2 There was an opportunity to explore more neighbourhoods today when we walked (I ran most of it). Some of the homes were stately mansions, and others were homey and welcoming. 
3 Magic Mike didn't live up to it's rave reviews, but I enjoyed Think Like Men. Very amusing chick flick.

nature, new, and better

1 A 4.5 km run/walk is a great way to start the day. There's something about the rhythm of the feet, smell of fresh air and the wind biting my face today that makes me appreciate the beauty that surrounds me.
2 Three new red pots will look perfect in front of the house especially planted with red and white flowers. (How Canadian). Two more pots will go inside for the banana tree and palm. They're light and easy to move about. Is red the new black?
3 He is definitely feeling better. Tonight when we talk, he's full of mischief, jokes and teasing. 

paperwork, itinerary, and vintage meets valentines

1 The first paper has arrived for proofing/editing. It's a 13 page document that is written by neurobiologists. It is very involved, complicated and academic. There have been a lot of changes to the document already and it's interesting to see who's changed what.
2 A walk along the sea wall, then lunch downtown, followed by a bee venom injection, a wee bit of shopping and now tea and a treat.

3 Photography has been on the back burner for a while now. Not sure why, but it doesn't matter now that I'm taking pictures again. Today it's a random selection of photos. This one was my favourite.