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.

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!!

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.

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.

mouser, get inside, affirmations, ouchie, smell, and two

1 Miss Tula is exhausted after catching some mice. She's growing side to side these days and now we know why. Mr P even takes a video of her playing with it. Poor thing.
2 She really wants to be outside at night but with the coyotes and other creatures out there it is not a good idea at all. 
3 Mr P and I share good the concept of affirmations. We try to have a short chat but it morphs a bit longer and we just go with it.
4 My hands are hurting and I'm going back to using some pain relief for them. I know the specific feeling that tells me that the bumps are growing. 
5 The rain smells like rain. Fresh, clean and refreshing.
6 Sitting side by side, just doing our own thing.

back to it, distractions, shade, walk it out, and blitz, pastels

1 I'm loving getting  back into an exercise routine. I've been trying to alternate between walking and kettle bells. Both give me what I need to keep focused on the goal, being "summer ready"!
2 A half day of work followed by lunch with Mr P and then driving around some neighbourhoods exploring.
3 After being in the house for a year now I realize the front door area is in the shade most of the day, so I changed a few of the plants and it's like magic. LOVE how the plants are thriving.. the others may have to be put into pots on the deck until the gardens are ready for planting, which might not be until next year. Definitely won't be until next year.
4 I wake in a grumpy mood so I take myself to the beach and walk, walk, and walk some more.
5 So if I'm walking I might as well be blitzing, and I do until I'm out of cards. I'm having fun planting seeds and waiting for my garden to grow with new business.
6 Last night's sunset.

inside or out, quest, and cleaned up

1 Monday brings sunshine in the morning but as the day goes by the rain, hail and big winds visit our house. Miss Tula isn't a big fan of foul weather and when the first few raindrops fall she in the house, purring and happy.
2 Mr P continues on his quest to get more fill brought into the backyard. It looks big when he dumps it but after he spreads it out and flattens it we both shake our heads and wonder where did it go?
3 This house is getting clean! I'm on a roll and getting it done. Beds, sheets, laundry, floors vacuumed and washed, cooking and freezing, and done!

an assortment of thoughts

1 Holy long workday Batman! It's a day of moving and shifting and eventually it's done. Thanks to my work partners for making it easier to get 'er done.
2 In the afternoon Mr P meets me at the park by the lake with a picnic lunch. We indulge in a few moments together before I'm called back to the office. It's refreshing to feel the sun and breeze after being cooped up inside all morning. 
2a 30C in the sun. Just perfect.
3 We smile at each other in our special language and only we know what we are saying. 
4 A late dinner at the local sushi place but this time we have Korean Bulgogi. It's a melt in your mouth dish that's similar to Japanese teriyaki but it's flavour is slightly different in a very pleasant and delicious way.
5 As the night sky darkens we walk along the beachfront and our path is illuminated by lights that are installed under the benches, along the walkway and from the moon shining on the water. We're the only walkers and we relish the intimacy of that.
6 The chance to say no to work and focus on some me/us time. I'm planning on a little walking/hiking, catching up on a bit of housework and then finishing a book that Chris has lent to me called, "You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar". No work until Tuesday.

through the week

1 Tuesday and it's time for work. 6 am why do you come so soon?
2 The day is full of ups and downs, lots of changes, lots of learning and lots of laughs to offset all the craziness of the day.
3 Girls night out for dinner. We meet up for an early evening of drinks, food, and laughs all round. It was fun to surprise one co worker with a card for her birthday!
4 Mr P and I spend our evening in the hot tub. We soak away the stresses of the day and find comfort in just sitting there, holding hands and absorbing the serenity.
5 Miss Tula catches a bird! Mr P is looking down on her as she stalks her prey and we are both more than surprised that our fat cat can actually catch a bird. She takes it around the corner and when she looks up at me with her big green eyes looking for praise, she opens her mouth and whoosh, away goes her catch!
6 We have had a few visits from the neighbourhood bear but he's not finding much of anything to munch on these days so we're feeling comfortable leaving the front door open for Tula again.
7 Love, love, love being with my girls. Being at work is just the remedy I needed to make me smile and smile I do.
8 Enjoying a cold frap on the deck while listening to the Tragically HIp and feeling a gentle breeze on my skin.
9 The day is done. Time for dinner. 

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 for my life

1 We had the grandkidlets for a sleepover this weekend. It's been a while and they are more than excited about it. Dinner, hot tub, and a short movie before bed. Kes falls asleep very quickly but Miss Izzy finds it a challenge. 
2 We indulge in a large breakfast in the morning. Kesler ate 3 platefuls of scrambled eggs and an hour later is wanting a snack. Boy, can this boy eat!
3 We thought we'd go shopping later but in the end a warm sunny day meant we napped instead.
4 Tea and cookies. Tea that's hot and cookies that are just hard enough to make them good dippers.
5 Mr P took me to get dirt! Huge truckloads of dirt in his new hydraulic dump trailer. 
6 Playing in dirt, just like a kid! Oh I love dirty boots!
7 Mother's day was wonderful. We went to a morning class to learn about Heart Math. (spiritual thinking), then home to a bbq with the kids and grandkidlets. It was a no drama day. Ahhhh, yes. 
8 Working at the Recreation office is always relaxing. It's mostly arts and crafts and this week is no exception except that I get to close each evening. Three nights I have someone there to help if needed. But come Thursday as my boss says, "I'm cutting you loose!"
9 I am addicted to chocolate... yes you heard me. I love Brownie Bark from Costco.
10 The week has flown by and each night I try to get my thoughts down on paper...but each night I'm too tired to finish. Tonight I shall finish.
11 Mr P is working hard to get the back yard filled with soil. Coming home for work today and I see he's hard at it still, using his big one tonne truck to flatten and settle the soil.
12 Miss Tula isn't as impressed. When that big truck turns on she's scoots inside and finds a nice quiet spot near the window to watch safely.
13 Viruses have attached themselves to my big computer but Mr P puts on a new antivirus on my computer and it's doing a sweep, a fix and making it all healthy again. LOL! Sounds like I'm talking about a human doesn't it? 
14 Gaile and Frank will be here on Friday for the weekend. It's been ages and I'm really looking forward to spending time with them both.
15 Mr P and I share kettle bells and do our workouts together. I am pleasantly surprised at the ease and fun involved. He's really happy. He's been wanting to do this together for ages.

yes, yes, yes, bit by bit, necessary, and sawing logs

1 We have an opportunity to make something even better so we go for it! Why not?
2 Jan hosted book club at my home on Wednesday and yes, did we ever have fun with it. She brought me a lovely white mum as a thank you. Thank you right back! What a fun evening, again.
3 Mr P is very happy to come home from his trip, go to Toastmasters and have a big plate of food waiting for him. Thank you to all the ladies from book club who fed him.
4 The chiropractor is putting me back together bit by bit. This time it feels like it's a bit quicker and for that I am even more grateful.
5 The hot tub has proven itself to be invaluable. Each night I take my weary body out and soak to relieve some of the pain.
6 Mr P and Tula decide to nap together. 

up and down, ouch, and singing it out loud

1 Our day is filled with mishaps. Chris needs medical attention and after we leave the hospital I misstep off of the sidewalk and land right side down on the pavement. No hospital visit for me thank you.
2 The hot tub soothes the aches and pains and the full moon soothes the soul.
3 Mr P is on his way home tomorrow. I'd do the happy day if I wasn't so beat up, so instead I'll just sign the happy song.

back on track

1 Mr P is off on a trip up north. He's spending time with family, wiring workshops, helping with moving and a little hunting and fishing.
2 It's time for a change. Time to make things simpler and better. What does this mean? It means cutting back on work. Down to 2 jobs and feeling much much happier.
3 Miss Tula is enjoying her time outside these sunny days. Chasing flies and grasses, stalking moles and voles and mimicking birds in the hopes of catching one. 
4 The clouds move fast and furiously across the sky, morphing as they go, blocking the moon so it becomes dark and feels like someone turn off the lights.
5 My leg is mending and my knee feels pretty healthy. Time for walking. Lots of it.
6 I've given myself a 90 day challenge with running/walking. I've done it before and I'll do it again. 
7 I can feel the addiction to running in my veins after my fast walk today.
8 The kids have been coming over for lots of hot tubbing and playing. Gotta love it.
9 We have an opportunity to talk, into the wee hours and clear the air, make new plans and think about what's next.

odds and ends of the week

1 Mr P is off and gone back to camp. I guess you may have noticed he had my attention this past week (little posting). He calls after having flown, landed, bused and unpacked. All is well as long as he gets his proper amount of sleep.
2 Back and forth. We arrived at the airport only to discover the flight has been delayed. The clerk suggests a time that the flight might actually leave so we head out to grab a quick bite to eat. While we're waiting for the food to arrive he gets a call informing him that the flight is now leaving earlier than stated. Quickly he eats my meal because it isn't as hot and I get his to go. I liked his.
3 Sam and I did a 5km walk on Saturday in support of the local food bank. It was a trail run/walk and had a ton of slippery steep hills, lots of green coming out and cheering at the end of the run. 
4 My legs and knee are screaming at me so I soak and put on a knee brace. No pity here, just a reminder that it was fun, worth it and to keep on training. Oh yes, rest sore muscles.
5 Kes really likes the new hot tub. As soon as they come inside the house, he heads right for the sliding doors and is out on the deck. He's a strong lad and can lift the lid. <Note to all: Put away the step so he can't get in>
5a Kes loves his water wings. They are snug on his arms and around his midsection. It probably works as a sensory suppression tool. He has worn them home twice now! 
6 Miss Tula is getting a big rounder than we expected. I suspect it might have something to do with the wet food she's been consuming. Dieters are never happy even when it's a cat. 

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!