one week at a time....beyond busy!!

Monday, December 12
1 We travel to Kelowna at lightening speed. Well, really we do the speed limit for the most part and really enjoy the ride.
2 We always have great service at our lunch spot in Hope, BC
3 Kesler Jacob Toshio Brown is born at 2:45pm 6lbs 2 oz.


Tuesday December
1 Our grandson is in the NICU on CPAP, struggling but giving it his all.
2 Isabelle is keeping her MiMa on her toes.
3 Grandpa is now Pa!


Wednesday December 14
1 A friend from Nelson is now living in Kelowna and is working at the hospital on the maternity ward. Great to see her again.
2 MiMa is learning to count to ten all over again. There are many Christmas wreaths on the walls made out of green and red balls. Izzy loves counting to ten!
3 A bit a cleaning to do and ironing. The house is quiet while they are at the hospital.


Thursday December 15
1 A lovely day full of emotions!
2 He googles "best restaurant in Kelowna" and comes up with Le Plateau. Delicious french cuisine with an urban feel to the restaurant.
3 I'm in love with seared scallops!



Friday December 16
1 And for my friend Tom....spelling error!!! :)
2 Getting to hold a wee one. He opens his eyes and a slight smile touches his lips.
3 The climate is dry and my arthritic hands are happy. It feels good to have movement without pain.


Saturday December 17
1 We go on a tree hunting adventure to get them a Christmas tree. We find a little one about 3 feet tall on the side of the road. Not in anyone's yard of course, but in a gully. He quickly saws it and we toss it into the truck and speed away laughing at  our own silliness!
2 Indoor mini lights in multiple colours for 1.25 make the day for a special little two year old girl. She is totally enamored by the lights and the angel on top of her very own child sized Christmas tree.
3 Isabelle shows every light to Pa!


Sunday December 18
1 We think our day will be one way but it turns out to be slow and steady.
2 Isabelle really enjoys her inside play slide. First Isabelle goes down, then her baby doll, then all the barnyard animals.
3 Baby clothes are washed and stacked ready for sweet Kesler.


Monday, December 19
1 Chris looks very dapper today. Suit and tie for work.
2 Kesler is looking much better. The jaundice is gone and he's a little squirmy worm when it's feeding time.
3 Isabelle and her parents open Christmas presents tonight. Izzy particularly loved her colouring book and reading books. Photos to follow on the plant gardener blog


Tuesday, December 20
1 Kesler is doing much much better today. He's awake more and eating has taken on a new meaning for him.
2 She loves her new truck! Blue with red wheels! She barely had time to say goodbye.
3 We are home again and soon to be sitting in the hot tub.

woods, Christmas tree and Secret Santa rules!

1 We have a slow start to the day but manage to find our way to the woods exploring the back roads. It's been a very long time since I've done that and I'm a little unsure of myself. He of course would love to go down the roads that may or may not be real roads. Maybe they're just trails. One even turned into a small stream/river.Very wintery.

2 We find a cluster of trees that are small but stately. Now we have our Christmas tree and it's a beauty! Decorations go up tomorrow.

3 Secret Santa brought me an electric pencil sharpener, some erasers and H pencils. It's the perfect gift! Who knew? Santa knew lol

4 Our grandson is trying to make his entrance into the world. He needs to stay put a wee bit longer. We're saying prayers for things to settle down and let him grow a little be more before he's born.

Monday thru Saturday...doh!

Monday
1 Our friends leave in the wee hours of the morning with cheerful goodbyes. They're ready to get home.
2 Toffee that's home made for the office staff. It's soft and gooey.
3 The Christmas tree at work is tied to a coat rack because they've lost the stand. It's a solution.
Tuesday
1 62 little kindergarteners get hearing and vision screening. One little girl is especially appreciative of her stickers and hugs my leg after she gets hers.
2 We are done screening! Time to celebrate with lunch at Bradleys deli. Vegetable barley soup for me. 
3. She's left me a surprise in the closet as a thank you for their stay. None was needed. It was a pleasure having them.  Many thanks for the gifts..music box and lemongrass!!! (hmmm no mall trip huh? lol)
Wednesday
1 He's on a mission to get the old Honda ready for sale so he works into the wee hours.
2 The leftover spaghetti sauce has aged to perfection. 
3 New ice radials on smokin' rims.
Thursday
1 He surprises me with an invitation to dinner out. We go to the local pub for a game of pool and pub food. I'ts perfect.
2 A trip to Costco to get some items for the Giving Tree to help needy families is successful and all shopping is done.
3 I've gotten lots of knitting done. Time to get it pressed and mailed.
Friday
1 The staff party is so much fun! A Secret Santa gift exchange where we instantly know by our gifts who pulled our names!
2 Potluck food...wings, meatballs, caesar salad, layer dip, meat and cheeses, fruit and sweets.
3 The roadblock is fun. When you're sober anyways!
Saturday
1 We are waiting for the next grandchild to arrive. Mom is in hospital and both are doing fine. We're hoping he doesn't come early. Sending prayers to them.
2 He makes a HUGE sale today. Way to go son!
3 Rent a dog! We're not sure we're ready for a dog of our own so we are dog walking a neighbours pup. He's great.

brunch, wreath and itinerary for the evening

1 Brunch at Qualicum Golf Course is delicious and entertaining. We spend our time people watching and enjoying the ocean view.
2 A Christmas wreath! We gather our branches across the street in the forest, pick holly from our own tree and make a beautiful wreath for our front door.
3 A dinner of leftovers, followed by a bit of geeking and now a movie before a soak. 

my guy, friends and cooks

1 A quiet Saturday morning started by sharing coffee in the hot tub with my guy.
2 Our friends arrive from south island and we catch up on all their news.
3 We cook together making butternut squash soup and a hearty spaghetti sauce.

wall, yum and over the top christmas decorating at the office

1 Sometimes I find myself retreating behind a wall. Today someone at work says to me, 'You're acting weird, what's up?' Was I? Well that sure snapped me back to reality.
2 Mandarin oranges and shortbread cookies.
3 Decorating the office for Christmas...holy smokes what a tonne of stuff! Apparently there is someone who realllllly likes this holiday at the office. It's fun to watch her go at it.

dinner/lunch, new wheels and good service

1 He brings home dinner and later makes me a lunch for work. Nice! Caesar salad with chicken.
2 Winter tires and new sleek rims for our new car. No installation fees because the company screwed up the initial install by putting the tires in someone else's vehicle! 
3 A steaming cup of Sleepytime tea is made for me and served. I'm grateful to not have to do it for myself tonight.