cleaned up, fun in the snow, and let's do it again sometime

1 With no work happening for the next little while I have time to catch up on things around the house. A dusting here, a wash there and soon things are looking much, much better.
2 A quick bit of fun in the snow with the grandkidlets. Grampa made them a little sled out of some rope and a rubbermaid container! 
3 Dinner out with new friends. How much fun is it learning about each other!? Can't wait to get together again. Thanks Sam!

Sunday, Monday

1 Izzy was really concerned that Grampa wouldn't be able to land at the airport. As we drove there she made up an amazing story about getting a little red and white plane and rescuing Grampa if his plane was in trouble. I asked her if she knew how to fly and plane and she responded with, "I have my license but I could use a little practice!"
2 Mr P is happy but tired and cold after a long flight in a very cold plane. He cranks the heat up to 28C and we break out in a sweat much sooner than I would have thought.
3 Peanut butter bars for Grampa!
4 Grampa takes the grandkidlets to a preschool program called Strong Start today. He says they both loved it and that Izzy was a real leader, Kes was happy playing in the rice table and with the marbles.
5 Baby it's cold out there. -15 C Yesterday the sun worked very hard to push through the clouds...here is what it looked like from our bedroom window.
6 The grand kids have gone home and the house is cleaned, and there is a strange quiet.

an assortment of gratitude

1 Saturdays often bring with it grandkidlets for sleep overs and today is not exception. They're ready for a visit with backpacks, extra jackets, and this time their bikes!
2 Isabelle and I set up a little obstacle course for her to ride around. She's happy to practice going in big circles.
3 It's a great schedule that works for them. Izzy knows when the clock hands are 9 and 12 it's time for bed. Not that she likes it, but she at least knows.
4 We pick up Grampa at the airport. Kes is sleeping by the time we get there but Izzy is wide awake still and so thrilled to see him. She runs to him with open arms and he gently scoops her up for a big bear hug.
5 The pumpkin patch and corn maze are where we head from the airport. It's all geared for the kids so we enjoy corn maze, hay maze, a little tractor pull, farm animals, corn toss and  a giant hay spider to climb on!
6 The week has flown by. Sorry to say there's be so little time to post.
7 Thanksgiving dinner today. We especially enjoy having a sleepover with the grandkidlets.
and a few photos to catch up on postings.

all done, yes I did, and home

1 It's my first shift working alone. I'm pleased to say that it went just fine!
2 She said I could do it and I did. Now that is a great feeling.
3 I come right home from work knowing that there are three people waiting for me at home. Grampa, Izzy and Kes are all sharing a lawn chair in the front yard.

catching up on things and now it's monday again

1 My sister and her partner stop by for a short visit on their way home. It's been since Christmas that we've seen each other so this is exactly what we needed. They'd made a trip to Calgary and then Vancouver so they were doing a lot of driving and were ready to get home to their own beds.
2 I started a new switchboard operator job this past week and basically had time to eat,sleep and work. Here are a few highlights.
3 Day one and two of work were kind of what I expected. Sitting back and watching, jumping in here and there, getting bailed out a bit and coming home feeling overwhelmed.
4 Day three was a totally different story. My trainer pushed me, let me sink but never let me drown. I suppose it was a hazing of sorts. Weed out the weak.
5 Although I came home in tears the day before I used some good distress tolerance and self soothing skills, when morning came I reassessed and decided that yes, I could do this job. So I showed up, spoke up and was pleasantly surprised when the girls came to my aid and said that the shifts I had been given were not appropriate just yet. Need more training.
5a We find our way to good friends who are visiting with their granddaughters in the Okanagan and enjoy a glass of wine, bbq burgers and a bit of a sit on the beach. It's just what the doctor ordered.
6 More training but this time with a trainer who had the time to help me put notes together, and who I could laugh with.
7 Last day of training and mid morning I have to call three code blues back to back. My heart was racing but I knew what to do. My trainer put her hand gently on my back and I was instantly reassured. I think more codes, stressful as they are would be helpful in the big scheme of things.
8 We took the grandkidlets to our Iranian friend Zora's farm to play with the sheep and goats and pick cherries. With a little help from Grampa they ended up in the trees.
8aThe moon is full, orange so it's time to play with the camera and tripod. Not bad for a first attempt at a moon in the clouds

potted, happy wedding day, busy girl, and in her room

1 A morning of running around getting supplies but an early afternoon putting it all together. I love making hanging and potted baskets with annuals. Every year I say I'm not going to do it because it's too expensive but every year I see their little happy flower heads and give in!
2 Finding out that a lovely friend (who lives on the island) has just married. Wishing them every joy in their new life together!
3 Isabelle and Grampa hang out riding the motorcycle and then rebuilding and painting the free standing birdhouse. She has been wanting to paint with us ever since we have moved here so it's great to see this dream of hers come true. Then it was my turn and we do magic on her hands with soap and water. She liked seeing the paint, "disappear!"
3a After dinner she plays in "her room" and snuggles up with 10 pillows and 3 stuffies!

chocoholic, activities, headset, and vivid

1 Indulging in homemade rolo bars that our daughter in law made for a treat yesterday. It's the ultimate in sweetness and heaven help me, I'm craving more!
2 Izzy and Kes take turns playing with me in the backyard. First Kesler and I play on the swing. He laughs a belly laugh when I catch his feet each time his swing comes near me, She is enthralled with the worms we find. She likes the feel of them in her hand and we dig little holes in the soil to send them back to nature. Later she wants to dig them up to show Grampa.
3 Izzy has a headset that sends out sounds that create new neuropathways to help with her hyperactivity. It's amazing to see how she responds with concentration and the ability to adjust to situations where normally she'd be bouncing off of the walls!
4 The tulips are vivid colours of pink, yellow, orange and reds.