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.

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!

Friday fun and not so fun

1 A busy day at work with a head cold. ugh, but I am grateful it's over and I made it through~
2 Our sweet Kesler turned 3 today! He had a small party with his family and I'll go over tomorrow and have some time with them to celebrate just a little bit more.
3 There was a lovely invitation to an Christmas party with one of the other jobs that I do as a casual. How very nice to be included even if I had to say no because I was working!

work, rub it in, what's for dinner, time, phones, surprise me, and G

1 Work, work, work. Between the three casual jobs there just isn't enough down time. I'm determined to make some.
2 We had massage appointments tonight. Me first, then Mr P. Her hands touched my back and instantly I knew she was the perfect fit for me. My upper back has been giving me grief for a while now, so this is a start to healing.
3 P made me some pies. Apple, pumpkin and two lemon meringue. OMG, what a baker! We had pie for dinner!
4 We enjoy our time driving to and from work together. With only one car at the moment we have to be creative and so he drives me, does his errands, heads home to help the neighbour cut a tree or two and then picks me up.
5 We get our phones at Costco because we really like their return policy. I've had my phone sent in three times so they said they would be replacing it but when we get there the replacement is malfunctioning. I'm starting to freak out in my head, when all of a sudden the clerk says to me, "Come with me. Pick out any phone you like and we'll replace this one." Awesome!
6 Mr P has a wonderful surprise for me when we get home. He really likes having a shop and the move to this home has left him with only our double garage for a shop. Needless to say he's cleaned out half of it for me to park my car! Yay, no more sweeping and scraping, no more hauling kids and groceries in the cold and wind. I'm so blessed. Thankful for this special man.
6a G, I sure hope we can catch up soon. I received a lovely card from my best friend and yes, it was perfect, perfect timing and yes, I had a big smile.

getting it done, shopping, and keep it together will ya

1 I think I have lots of time until I change my plans and then I'm scrambling to get anything done! But most of it's done.
2 Christmas shopping for the grandkidlets for books, clothes and an extra special battery operated guitar for Isabelle. I'm sure we'll all be ready for a battery extraction but the end of Christmas day!
3 I like working with J. She's pretty down to earth and I really enjoy her sense of humour. Our work atmosphere is casual, hilarious at times but we manage to stay professional even when we are holding back laughter!

too early, the office, and dining

1 I wake up when it's dark and start to get ready for work but after a few minutes I get the feeling I'm on the wrong shift. A quick call to work sets me straight and I head back to sleep for a few more hours.
2 The office is a combination of hilarity and shenanigans.
3 Dinner with L and a couple of her friends. Lovely to meet new people and see someone in the 'real' world instead of at work. Very entertaining!

thursday, friday and saturday

1 Another day of rest. I'm so grateful that I can rest and recover from this icky flu/cold that's gotten hold of me.

2 How nice to get messages about our book club gathering. We had so much fun, eating, drinking and finally talking about books, and some rather risque media news here in Canada.

3 The night ends with a chat with my dear friend J. She's the kind of person that I would describe as 'real'.

4 No rest for the weary and we are busy with the work, work and more work.

5 The grandkidlets come to spend some time with us and for a sleepover. Both of them haven't been here for a while for sleepovers so this is exciting for us all. Kesler seems to adjust easier that our little miss, but soon she's figuring things out

6 Mr P is busy installing more cameras on the house We are secure. Now we just have to figure out a few specific configurations and we're done.

7 Izzy tells us that every day at the park is a fun day Today's no exception and we have fun in the leaves again. 

8 Gaile is coming! So very happy we can spend time together. Not sure for how long, but it doesn't matter as long as we get to see each other.

9 I'm pondering in my head, why I am not taking my big camera out with me more often. More thinking is needed, I'll get back to you.

4 days done

1 The morning brings mist,fog, and eventually rain! The grass is greening up despite the fact that it's autumn.
2 I feel warm and fuzzy in my new bulky knit sweater. It's big, baggy, and beyond comfortable. It's my new go to sweater.
3 I'm still training in admitting and am enjoying the people I work with very much.
4 Do I like the work? Not really, but if it gets me seniority, I'll do it!
5 A good night's sleep means that I am clear headed for the next set of training sessions. This time it's an afternoon shift and a new trainer. She is incredibly meticulous and has great attention to detail.
6 One more time, and then I'm back to my switchboard job. It's been interesting to see and learn a new department and then come back and appreciate what I have.
7 Izzy and Kes come for a brief before I go to work. As we are leaving it's a bit of chaos and she says to me, "Grama, that's the shortest visit ever!"
8 My brain is overloaded and I get a wicked headache but I push through it and finally it's over.
9 Work is done and it's time to get home and unwind! No wine tonight but a fire and cup of tea work just fine.
10  Mr P is home tomorrow! xo
11 My bed feels deliciously cool and welcoming. I love clean sheets, the smell, the feel, the way my body melts into softness.
12 At one point tonight the winds blowing are so strong that the wind chimes sound overly loud and  like an out of tune instrument but eventually they settle and are melodic and soothing again.

as the days go by

1 The kidlets end up spending Sunday night with me as well. It's fun to have them here. They fall quickly into routine and seem to anticipate what's next! I'll have to mix it up a bit, I don't want to be too predictable.
2 The weather is cooler these days. It's sweater time but the little ones seem to still run hot.
3 Warm chocolate milk is what they get before bed. Not so great for teeth so I also give them a bit of warm water to rinse with!
4 Work is busy, busy, busy.
5 There's one woman that I work with who I've always been intimidated by. It's funny that this phenomenon exists for me because it's unusual for me to feel this way. As we work more and more together, that feeling is dissipating as I see her as just herself.
6 Jeans jackets are great, especially when it's the only piece of jean you're wearing. They schooled me; only one jean piece at a time!
7 We get slammed and slammed and slammed at work. It's not really that there are more admissions but for some reason it feels like more emergencies. We pull together and get it done but the porters we work with look exhausted by the end of their shifts.
8 He loves the alphabet so we draw lots of circles on the driveway and put big and little letters side by side into each bubble. He gets excited when I sing to him, Big D, Little D, etc etc for each bubble. Soon he's saying some of the letters too.
9 Testing for autism and they have found no flags in the first round of testing. This is a very good sign.
10 Witches warts for the Book Club tonight.
11 There's a black out so the meeting which is about a Halloween murder mystery takes place in the dark. Spooky with laughter, food and good friends.
12 The blackout area is huge. 22,000+ people are in the dark including me. Candles soon are lit and the gas fireplace throws a lot of light! It was a long day/night so it's only one glass of wine and I'm toast.

wednesday, thursday, friday

1 The days have changed from warm and balmy to cool and rainy; the leaves are changing colour and sadly the hummingbirds have gone south. Fall has arrived.
2 Only a few flower pots are left but their colours are still vibrant and welcome.
3 Note to self: use a chair when hanging up sharp twirly gigs! No stitches.
4 Mr P has been doing lots of after work things to make his time in camp bearable. He going to a coach and is encouraged by their conversation and even has some homework.
5 After not working the switchboard for a couple of weeks it's nice to get back to it. A few brain glitches and it's all good.
6 My hairdresser decides it's time to darken my hair. It's too dark but Saturday he'll add more lighter pieces and hopefully it'll be what we both like.
7 A successful shopping trip and I have a few new fall sweaters and yoga pants for work. I like looking stylish yet feel comfortable at work. It's a challenge to sit that long in tight pants!
8 I'm so grateful for my husband. We have created a home space that just work so well for us.
9 She's invited me to participate in two craft fairs this fall. One in November and one in December. I'll be framing some photographs and perhaps creating a few postcards/greeting cards. Exciting!

Wednesday through Friday

 - some days are just more difficult than others, but we make it through, we always do ~
~ best loves ~


1 It's been a busy week with lots going on, some good and some  not so good. So I'm grateful for family and friends who support, love and encourage me.
2 I guess that's life in a work camp. Exposure to lots of people with lots of germs. Mr P is fighting a summer cold. (Aren't they just the worst?). What's my prescription? Lots of sleep, vitamin C, hot tea with honey and lemon followed by more sleep.
3 She's lost 100 pounds this year. So proud of my new friend and so encouraged by her dedication and commitment to getting healthier.
4 Scribbles by Sandy Here's my friend Sandy's blog where she shares her scribbles, doodles and images. I love her creativity and the creations that people are making using these images in Scribble Challenges. ps I love the anklet! Thanks again S!
5 I need a distraction so I clean. I know you might be groaning but hey it's not for everyone I admit that but for me it works. Five hours later and many loads of laundry I put my feet up and my mind is still.
6 Back to running/walking. Yup, I'm back to it and as I get into the rhythm I feel my feet hit the pavement, the wind on my cheeks and the sun on my back and remember why I love it so much.
7 The days have been cooler for the past few days. Big stormy clouds have covered the skies bringing well needed rains and wind. Winds are different here, softer and with less gusts compared to the island where it's big winds and loud sounds.
8 They need some help and it's what I can do. So I try as best I can to put the house in order, get the laundry done and iron a few work clothes for C so his transition to work once they're home from holidaying will be smoother.
9 Ever have a song come to mind just when you need it? Today that song for me is from the Beatles, "Let it Be" I smile, shed a few tears and let it rush over me. Let it be.

wave to me, art, and what kind of dinner was that?

1 It's been a long time since we've spent time apart and neither of us want to show the other just how difficult it is to say goodbye. He stands very still at the front door watching my every move as I leave for work. I look in the rear view mirror at the top of the drive and he's still there watching and with one last wave I'm around the corner and it is goodbye for now.
2  I'm working on an art project that I've thought about for a long time. And now it's time to stop the talking and start the doing. The preliminary drawings are not bad!
3 A fine dinner this was. Sushi and and ice cream sandwich for dessert...interesting combo that won't work for everyone but for tonight it's just fine.

making it work, cameras, fire on our mountain

1 I wondered what it might feel like to do a dispatch shift the entire day. It felt great! It's a short shift, it's like a game of Tetris, there are great people to work with and no big mess ups!
2 Coming home to Mr P putting up security cameras around the house. We had someone try to enter the house early in the morning....we both woke to the sound of the door opening. No one was there, but the inside light in the garage was on so Mr P is working to get things tightened up. I believe he said something about "Fort Knox!"
3 There's a forest fire on the mountainside. It's about 3 minute drive straight above us but across a highway. It's all closed off and for now the skies are quiet. We drove up to see how large it was and it's big. 30 hectares. We are safe here and feeling very grateful that the fire hasn't jumped the road. More tomorrow.

big eater, see you soon, and Mr P

1 IHOP for breakfast! What a way to start the day if you have a big appetite that is. I couldn't believe how big the portions were. My sis and I had cheese crepes, Mr P had an omelet and Jerry, well let's just say he likes breakfast. Jerry had, the sampler breakfast of eggs, hash browns, bacon and sauages accompanying his pancakes, toast and extra bacon! HOLY!
2 It was time to say goodbye and it's difficult. We don't see each other as often as we would like but now that we're only 3 1/2 hours away we can and we make the promise that we will. It's our turn to go there next. I'm really looking forward to that!
3 Mr P finds out that he doesn't start work until next week because things were delayed because of the holiday. Yay, he's not leaving until Saturday!

I liked it, working man, and getting my fair share

1 I like my day,the company I've been in, and the work I've accomplished. My brain is happy.
2 He's taken a job and that means he's away again for the next few months. I'm grateful he's been able to take the past 8 months off.
3 We share our dinner at the restaurant. I really like eating off of the same plate. Don't you think food just tastes that much better when you're trying to get more than the other person!?

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

negative, reference, and opportunity knocks

1 The doctor walked in with a smile on his face and said, "Good morning, I've got good news for you!" I think my breath came out in a big whoosh and my smile matched his.
2 I'd had to walk away from the hospital job because night shifts just wouldn't work for me. So it came as a surprise when the phone rang and it was the hospital supervisor. A job has come up at another hospital doing just switchboard and no nights. She asks if I'd like a reference for the position and I do. I'm grateful that she wasn't so angry anymore and was generous in her assistance to me.
3 My new boss calls and offers me the casual position over the phone. When I ask her if she'd like to interview me she says no because all that work piece for HR has already been done and then she says, " When would you be able to start?" It's another great opportunity!

work, play and what's next

1 We worked and played together today. First it was the work part, washing floors and mirrors, polishing tables and chairs, ironing the little jackets for the chairs, finishing baseboards and bringing in some pieces of furniture, opening the boxes and filling the hutch and, and and...
2 And then the play part started. Mr P connected and mounted outside deck speakers so we had a little dance party! Just the two of us, just for fun!
3 I really like the mirror over the fireplace mantle. Now to decide what extras to put up there or to just leave it be.

I love how both hummingbird feeders are reflected
in the glass doors on the hutch.

work work work, love where you live, book club news

1 Switchboard was great today. Lots of hands on training and even a code to call. I didn't call it because there was a mix up on rooms/location but I'm sure I'll be thrown into it full on today! My trainer said she's bringing a book to read...ha ha Oh I hope not!
2 Erin's home is up on the hill near the winery. It's got a stunning view of a couple of bays and Rattlesnake Island. Their backyard is serene and green with large sized tables and spaces and pergolas, ivy plants climbing posts and huge hanging baskets! And inside her home it's just as spacious and decorated with such love and care that I leave inspired to create that sort of atmosphere in our home.
3 Book club as always is entertaining and lively. Our group has chose a genre for the coming year and chose Short lists. As long as the book makes the top five in any award list it's fair game for choosing for the group to read. I'm hosting in November. Any good book suggestions are most welcome! I must read it first so I guess considering my track record for reading lately, I'd better get on it.

work, driving mrs p, and a little damp

1 Work took the forefront this week. Tuesday was the first afternoon shift and it was not exactly what I was expecting. The entire shift with a lull of five minutes or so here and there was registering emergency patients and dealing with admissions, transfers and discharges. My trainer had an usual way of training and while it works for her, I think I'll stick to doing one task at a time and staying mindful in the chaos.
2 The drive home was long but quiet. The moon shone brightly on the road making it a much easier drive. That being said, getting home at midnight means it was a long day/night.
3 I was so thirsty that I rushed the cup to my lips and so tired that I missed. I had to laugh at the sight I must have presented with a wet shirt and face!