bitz and pieces of my world

1 Izzy, Kes and Grampa are all finally healed and well. So I guess it's my turn to experience this particularly nasty cold. Here's hoping vitamin C and Greens will make it either disappear or be short lived.
2 Mr P is home and gets an extra 5 days because of a Stand Down order at the site. This is good bad news. Bad because it means there were some unsafe work issues, but good because they will be addressed before he's gone back. And a double good for extra days off.
3 We've been seeing someone for a variety of issues but today is particularly difficult. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. And sometimes you don't want to.
4 She says, "You can either be right or you can be part of a relationship". Those were pretty heavy words with a big impact. I wasn't surprised but I felt the sting of her words regardless.
5 Izzy has been doing wonderfully at school. A few times this year she's been the Student of the Week. She got to go to the front of the gym and accept an award for good behaviour.
6 We share the duties for the day. I make dinner, he does dishes. I really like this arrangement because dishes just aren't my favourite thing unless I'm needing some "cleaning therapy time" 
7 We play a word association game today. Some find it difficult at first to associate a word and a letter but because we do the harder one first the second is much easier. Soon we are zipping along and laughing and finding commonalities and humour. 
8 I have neglected to plant any spring bulbs. There isn't much coming up in my small front garden. No buds on the lilacs or rhodos yet either. I'm thinking I'll have to get big of colour this spring to fill the gaps. I'll miss having my own but I do know we'll be working on the yard this year and hopefully the gardens will be part of my world again.
9 Kesler is starting to enter the world with words. It's amazing how different our relationship looks like and feels with a new type of communication. I'm happy to look into his eyes and see him, really see him. And then he smiles back.

Flower Friday

sleeping buddy, please be gentle, and snowy night

1 Izzy gets a sleepover mid week. She's not used to sleeping alone when she's here because usually Kes is with her. Tonight it's different and she's having a bit of trouble dropping off. I use my special Grama skills and tell her I'll move her into my bed if she goes right to sleep.. So I've gotten a it all ready for her and she'll be very surprised come morning when she's with me.
2 Kes is having surgery tomorrow to put tubes into his little ears again. It should be very routine and he'll be happy to have no more earaches and better hearing too.
3 We get another dump of snow today. I went into work this afternoon to clear skies and came out of the office to a snow covered car, shoveling when I got home and a kitty that is not impressed with cold feet.
4 I miss my camera life. I must try harder.

Christmas 2015

1 Holidays can bring a variety of scenarios to your door can't they? We had quite a mix ourselves. The kidlets were around for Christmas dinner and a few people who had no place to go also came to our home. Zoe wouldn't let me set the table because she found the tablecloth much too tempting and the plates and cutlery would have gone flying and almost did.

2 Izzy, Kes and I made gluten free sugar cookies and there was plenty of icing to go on too. Little fingers were busy!!

3 A quick trip to see my sister and her guy. Love her front/side yard. It's magical throughout all the seasons.

4 We came home to 15 inches of snow yesterday. No snow accumulated today which was a nice treat for sore backs.
5 All the decorations are put away into homes until next year.
6 Zoe loves playing in crinkly noisy plastic bags. Lots of holes in there to keep her safe.

zoe, missing you, let the sun shine in

1 Zoe is learning to be on her own a bit more. But she really doesn't like it. Every time I come home she's right under my feet, mewing and purring and trying to trip me. I'm so lucky to be loved so  much.
2 The grandkidlets have been  under the weather for ages now. I'm missing getting my hugs and seeing their big smiles.
3 Finally, after days and days of snow and rain there is respite. Today, there is blue skies and warmer weather. Yes, I know it's December but warm and sunny is always welcome.
3a I'm sad to read the last blog post from the woman who inspired me to start my own blog. I wish her well in her new journey. However, it makes me realize how easy it is to get sidetracked and to lose sight of the things I need to stay grounded.

days, promotion, and seascape

1 The days are crisp and cold and the leaves are almost all off of the trees. I like the world with it's big bright colours and find I have to do a mind shift to adjust to the bits of starkness that barren trees present.
2 I've finally gotten the long awaited first promotion I've been working towards. My work is mostly on social media so it shouldn't really feel like work but it is. It's evident in the long hours, the roller coaster of emotions and the sense of satisfaction when there are big successes.
3 I found some photos from our summer trip. I'm nostalgic for the sea so this is a peaceful reminder of the sights, sound, and smell.

hello my friends

Oh I'm missing you all so much... sometimes life just takes over and things take a back seat to others. Life is finally settling a bit so I am taking ME time and this is one of the very best things I can do for me. So sit back and relax, this might be a long post!!
1 Mr P has come and gone. He's working away so often that his time at home is invaluable. But fighting a cold means he's not up for as many adventures and so I work while he recovers.
2 Izzy and Kesler are happy kidlets these days it seems. They are both involved in school and are thriving. Kesler is in a program called Strong Start. This introduces children to organized play and structure. He has a designated Behavioural Interventionist who work with him to connect and communicate. And I'm happy to say he's making exceptional progress and aping words but every now and then he using it in context and that gets him great accolades and cheering. Izzy is in kindergarten and also has a worker with her. She is a lively girl and the days can be long for her but she's a trooper and doing great too.
3 Miss Tula scared the daylights out of me the other day. She brought in a LIVE vole. It's a creature that is like a mole but smaller and like a mouse but bigger. And of course she let it go inside the house. Needless to say, I can scream, and scream loud!!!
4 Izzy and her mom play with makeup and paints. I think Izzy will be an amazing leopard don't you?
5 Kesler is learning to read. He's recognizing the letters and when they're put together he can read, cat, dog, pig.
6 My business consumes a big part of my day now. I'm enjoying a few days of respite but then back to it.
7 As I do some fall cleaning up outside, I find 2 black widow spiders and a giant brown recluse!!! Although the easiest thing to do is to get a spray can of raid I think it's healthier to find a natural, organic solution. Please feel free to share yours here! Thanks in advance.

work, away, and shooters

1 Work, work, and more work. It seems like some weeks this is what life is comprised of and it fill the void and makes time go faster. That is just what I need when Mr P is away.
2 Miss Izzy and Mr Kesler are away visiting their family in California. Oh, I miss them so much it hurts.
3 I've started taking Greens in the morning and really like that it gives me energy, takes away the full feeling I sometimes get. I'm still not great at drinking green drinks, so I'm taking it as a shot with a water chaser!!!

eat this, more like myself, party on, and my darlings

1 I take the opportunity to actually make myself a "real" dinner; a pot of steamed baby potatoes and carrots and a green salad to go with it. I savour each bite knowing it's healthy nourishing food and tasty too.
2 My body and mind have been so exhausted from all the activities going on around me that it's been challenging to stay grounded and focused but tonight after an afternoon of puttering and resting I feel a bit more like "me."
3 My friend and I are planning to have an online business party. What a great opportunity to make new friends and help people get healthy too. Good times. More posts about this will be coming. I suspect we will have more than a few laughs to share.
3a I surprise the grandkidlets with a visit to their house today. Kes is busy on his ipad but Izzy comes a runnin' and launches herself into my arms. I miss them both so much and am determined to organize my work schedule so these two darlings can come for a sleepover. I need more hugs please.

alive, walk, and talk

1 It has been a most stressful week and that's putting it mildly! And we survived.
2 My dear friend J, was in a horrific car accident last Tuesday. She came by ambulance to our hospital and had neurosurgery on her lower back and is recovering slowly. There were over 12 fractures. I'm feeling grateful that she is alive and can walk. I'm feeling grateful for the neurosurgeons who worked quickly and with precision to remove the damaged vertebrae and give her a new lease on life. She can walk.
3 My sweet friend G and I finally have a chance to talk. It feels so good to just let it all out, to have her let it out and to feel the hugs through the phone line. Miss you my friend xo

another first! love you Isabelle Marie

It's a budy day today! Izzy has her first day of kindergarten and she did fabulous. Love her so much xo

fun stuff, in the sand, helper

1 She is growing up so fast our little Izzy! Love her so much!

2 The grandkidlets came for a visit today and as Mommy was vacuuming out their car and carseats they were playing in the sand pile!!! (They enjoyed their bubble bath!)

3 Tula wanted to hep me work today...I think she just wanted to chew on the cord!

my lovies, you can hear a pin drop and I like it, and brrr

1 My two lovies were here for a visit and dinner. Izzy made a very large picture for her mommy and Kesler decided a dip in the hot tub was more fun!
2 The house is quiet. I listen to the sounds of rain, a clock ticking, the dryer spinning or the cat sighing and I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the many blessings I have in my life.
3 The weather has changed. Suddenly and without warning we are into fall temperatures. The night temperatures are never that low seeing as we are in a desert climate but daytime is chilly and I notice almost everyone is wearing a sweater well, except for the two young guys in shorts and tanks totally oblivious to anything but their headphones and whatever is playing on their phones.

rainy day, shining in NY, and it's the little things

1 Another busy day but finally, yes finally the smoke is moving away from our home. I'm feeling so very very thankful for the rain and wind cooling things off and helping put out the fires surrounding us.
2 Super moon shot a friend of mine took in Astoria, NYC.
3 Listening to Tula purr contentedly while I geek a bit on my computer, blog, and sip tea.
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no more smoke in my eyes, time management, and it's not as long this time

1 The smoke is finally leaving the valley. It's been days and days of smoke coming up from Washington State flooding the air with thick smoke and ash. My prayers go out to everyone affected with the hope that no more lives and homes are lost.
2 I miss the kidlets so much. It seems that work has taken over and I'm just too worn out to play. Note to self: say no more often to work and yes to family time.
3 Mr P is home soon. It's amazing how different things feel when he's only gone 2 weeks instead of 3. It's always a transition at first but with time he'll feel that way too.

time capsule, goodbyes again, and smokey

1 Spending time with some of my favourite people has gone by way too fast but we managed to have lots of challenges, successes, activities, tears, laughter and new friendships.
2 It's never easy saying goodbye knowing it will be until February when we will see them again. They're generating ideas, making plans and looking to the future to create a new life right here. So exciting.
3 The smoke from the fires in the US has blown in and is creating chaos here too. It smells like wet campfire and sticks to the skin and clothing. Tula seems to have it the worst with a lot of sneezing, lethargy and no desire whatsoever to go outside.
3a You know the air quality is bad when our ER Docs advise O2 be kept in our offices in Kelowna just in case anyone having breathing complications
.‪#‎notgoodforourlungs‬ ‪#‎nocardiotoday‬ ‪#‎washingtonstatefire‬

the traveler, working from home, and wake up call

1 Mr P has gone to camp again. This time he's on a shorter rotation so he's home every 2 weeks instead of 3! He's halfway across the country but I still feel him right here with me. Best loves are like that, aren't they?!
2 Having a great morning signing up new loyal customers and distributors. Gotta love making new friends, helping people get products that work and building our retirement fund!
3 The birds had a big party this morning. I heard ospreys, blue jays and chickadees. Love their party sounds even at the crack of dawn.

summer loves

Well holy it's been a very long time since I've spoken to you all. Life just seemed to take over and there was barely time to eat and sleep. But wow have we had fun!!! Our son Nick and his wife and 3 Chinese students have been visiting since the beginning of July!! To get caught up I am just going to post some photos and get reconnected with you all again.

summary's work sometimes don't they?

1 Despite the busyness around here there's still time for a get away. It's our 12th anniversary so we headed to the grasslands to explore and spend time connecting on our special day. 

2 We saw two black bear cubs playing on the road but as soon as we approached in our car we were charged by a mama bear. Ferocious is exactly the word we both used to describe her.

3 It was hot, hot and hotter. 

4 The evening before we sat on the deck watching a lightning storm pass over a mountain in the distance. The next day on our travels south we saw 8 spots that were still smoldering and a few that we so big that they needed water bombers and bird dogs to get the dousing process going.

5 Tax time is done! So happy we all survived the madness.

6 We are both missing the grandkidlets. 

eyes, view, and satiated

1 New glasses for our Isabelle! Pink of course, her favourite colour!

2 Lucky me! I get to sit on a bench in the shade and enjoy this view on my coffee break!

3 This is definitely a summer favourite this year! Tomato, soft mozzarella, pesto leaves and asparagus drizzled with oil and balsamic vinegar!