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.

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.

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!!!

dinner guests, what's for dinner, and invisible

1 We enjoyed a great night with out grandkidlets, kids, and a family friend tonight. So nice to have a houseful of people, chatting, eating, smiling, laughing, and thoroughly enjoying each other.
2 Mr P made a delicious dinner of kale salad, veggies and dip, pot of rice, and two organic chickens cooked in the crock pot. Deliciousness!!!
3 Izzy has so much fun tonight playing "stealth". She puts a green blanket on herself to hide and then slowly and carefully slides into the room and spooks us! Ah yes, Halloween is coming!!

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.

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.

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.

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! 

long weekend shenanigans

1 Long weekends are always better with friends! Gaile and Frank come for a few days and we have indulge in good food, fine wine and great conversations. Their visit is too short but aren't visits always too short with the people we want to be with the most?

2 Mr P is a dirt hauling, digging machine. He's busy getting as much soil hauled in as he can. Friday he works overtime and gets the most loads in yet!

3 Izzy and Kesler come for a sleepover and get a chance to spend time with Nanny and Pappy (Frank and Gaile). Izzy tries so hard to remember that Frank's name is Pappy but struggles just a bit . It's hard not to smile when she talk to Nanny and says, "Can you ask your husband?" when she forgets his name.

3a Izzy and Kes get books from Nanny. She's awesome at getting just the right ones. Thank you. We all get dinner on Friday night! What a treat to not have to cook

4 It's a rainy cold Sunday but we head down to the lake regardless, because it's the World of Wheels Car Show. We dress warm enough and take an umbrella and Mother Nature is so appreciative she shines down on us the entire time we are there.

5 There's something about eating off of each other's plates. It DEFINITELY tastes better when you're vying for that specific tasty morsel.

6 Kale salad. I did not think I would like it so I am pleasantly surprised that it's my salad of choice today. It comes with a poppy seed dressing and a topping mix of pumpkin seeds, cranberries and sunflower seeds.  Thanks to Costco for that yumminess. 

grateful, view, Izzy, and good news

1 Some days I just have one of those moments and when I do I are so grateful for those that care, that help and that there's an amazing team behind me. 
2 Tula has a new view from her scratching post that let's her keep an eye on the outside when it's dark, cold and rainy or she's just tired. 
3 Izzy calls to tell me that she's had a great day! I love how she wants to share all the little details and her enthusiasm overflows and I can't help but smile as we talk.
3a Chris was offered full time starting April 1! So happy for him.

loves, life, and big smiles

1 I spent three days working at the fire hall. What a great place to work. Another learning curve, mostly data entry but technical and interesting in a  non dramatic way.

2 Izzy celebrated her 5th birthday this past week. Is it possible that time really goes this quickly? 

3 Her mommy made her the most amazing cake from scratch. She told us that it took her three days to create all of the edible decorations. Just amazing.

4 Kes is making more eye contact these days. Things are progressing and it's a joy to see. 

5 Mr P is away for a few more weeks. Last night he tells me he's packed up and ready to come home. It's a bit early but so sweet.

6 Lots of drama at work, none of it good but still we manage to make the day worthy.
7 A few conversations with friends and the world feels right again.
8 Tula is a busy girl some days.  A few of her newest activities include, climbing into dresser drawers, climbing the umbrella pole, drinking from the tap and sleeping in the bathroom sink. 
9 Does it make a difference if I soak in the hot tub in the morning, afternoon or evening? Hmm, well, morning is with coffee, afternoon is tea and in the evening definitely with a glass of wine!

what was I up to?

1 Work, work, and more work. Sometimes the monotony is palpable and yet there's a certain comfort in the paycheque and the consistency.
2 The chiropractor says that the ligament in my hip is sprained. I concur and hope that the stretching and light walking will help.
3 Tula loves sleeping on her back. It looks dog-like and very submissive. She stretches her from legs high above her head and apparently isn't ticklish at all because we scratch her in her armpit and she purrs even louder.
4 Sara makes amazing cookies. Peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal cookies to be exact. Crispy on the outside and gooey and soft on the inside.
5 Izzy doesn't want to go home and she's sad. Uncle Nick works hard to make her smile and when she does, Grampa says, "Isabelle, you have a beautiful smile." She smiles brighter even though the tears.
6 Turtle or hare? Turtle.
7 Are we moving into spring or is winter still fooling with us? In the early morning there's ice on the windshield but by afternoon it's warmed up and sunny.
8 The tulips are up about two inches or more in the one pot. Tula appears to have messed with some of the other planters and it'll be anyone's guess if there are flowers this season.
9 I miss G. It feels like she's been away forever and we haven't really had a chance to catch up in ages. I missed her call today because I was working and my phone was doing a crazy hangup so hopefully tomorrow we can talk for a bit.
10 Nick and Sara are spending the weekend with Chris and family just up the road. It's a strange feeling to know they are 10 minutes away but still it feels as far away as China.
11 No work for me tomorrow. We have been planning a date day and it's been put off long enough. How does this sound? Breakfast at IHOP, a walk in the woods, a bit of shopping and possibly an afternoon nap. mmmm, yes to all.
12 I'm so appreciative of this man that I share my life with. He makes me smile.

Knox Mountain Hike with my lovies

visitors, kids and more

1 Two days of training and I'm feeling confident in my ability to handle the job. A few tweaks and a lot of notes equals ability.

2 Theresa is a great trainer. I really appreciated her willingness to teach, mentor, advise, correct and cheer lead.

3 They are managing to get a bit of a grip on the jet lag. It's never easy when it's this big of a time change. 

4 Izzy and Kes come for a couple of night's. Sleepovers are so much fun with them. 

5 They have sniffles and coughs but manage to make the best of it despite that. What a couple of tough cookies we have.

6 The two brothers and their wives have an early Valentine's day dinner while we have mac and cheese followed by sugar cookies for our dinner.

7 Shenanigans at the switchboard. Nuff said.

8 A fun hike on Knox Mountain. The fog is as thick as pea soup in spots. We can watch it from our vantage point and eventually thins and finally disappears.

9 Sara has taken classes in nail painting. I love that she's so enthusiastic about life and isn't afraid to step out of her comfort zone.

10 It's Chinese New Year and Nick brings a little of China to our home. He's managed to get a few stickers for the front door into their suitcase without Sara knowing about it. Mr P puts them on the door while we are out and she's suitably surprised to see them there. 

11 I love how she wears her heart on her sleeve. It's so endearing to know such a genuine person.

12 It's G's birthday today. I'm hoping it's been a great one for her because she's spent it with her mom and dad. Love ya hon, happy birthday. 

colder, busier, and he did it

1 It's getting cold again. Our driveway is icy and slippery. Izzy says it's like a skating rink and desperately wants to put on skates!
2 We work independently to get our workouts done and then it's time for errands, sharing another hot dog and home to a movie. It's great to have busy full days.
3 He didn't want to go to his toastmaster's meeting but does it anyways. That deserves an attaboy!

playschool, two of a kind makes three, Pandemic, and role play

1 Izzy and Kes loved playschool today. Sand tables, circle time, painting, snacks and playing outside. Kes was pretty much done as the class was ending but Izzy really wanted to stay and play longer. Her teacher made this transition very simple, very easy.
2 One parent says to us, "One or both of her parents must be really outgoing!" We smile and reply, "Both!"
3 Pandemic was worth the wait. I loved playing it. Great teamwork and we won. Funny after all the card shuffling, there were two epidemic cards on the very bottom of the pile! I suspect further games may be not so easy. 
3a Each character has his/her own abilities either medic, dispatcher, quarantine officer or operations manager, and more. Every game we choose a card to determine what our roles are. It's interesting to see who leads and who follows despite their role.