a few things for sharing...hello again

1 I love, love, love the heated seats in our car. It's one of those things that you just can't live without once you've had them.
2 The time has gone by so quickly that it's unimaginable that they have left back to China already. My heart is saddened but I'm more determined to be happy and grateful for the fact that they came and that we spent quality time together. 
3 It's a quick trip to the airport in Vancouver now that we live in the central part of the province. It doesn't take long for our passengers to drift off to sleep as we travel clear roads with sunny skies.
4 Our dinner is delicious, our conversation engaging and light and soon we're fully sated. Thank you Nick and Sara for dinner! 
5 It's time to go to the airport. Mr P drives slowly and we all take in as much each other as these last minutes will let us. 
6 A few photos before they leave through to International Customs. It's become a tradition of sorts to take a group shot in front of a very large stuff bear. Usually he's got on a hat and if I recall a vest that are vintage Canadiana but tonight it's late and he's just a bear.
7 He whispers in my ear words from a favourite childhood storybook, "I'll love you forever," and we say the rest together. Our children are our best loves.
8 They wave and walk, wave and walk as do we. Each time with turn so do they and we wave some more until we can't see each other. Mr P holds my hand tightly and a few tears escape despite my attempts to the contrary.
9 While he's driving Mr P turns on his audio book and puts in ear buds; I sleep. It's a comfortable ride home with little traffic. We arrive home just after 2 am.
10 Mr P is having a well deserved nap. He's been busier than ever with driving and this morning some testing that he has to get done before he's off again to camp.
11 Yes, soon it'll be just me and Tula. It's wonderful to have another creature to come home to.
12 Book club tonight. I'm looking forward to it so much because I haven't had the opportunity to go since November. Our book read was, The Orenda by Joseph Boyden. It isn't a book that I would normally choose so it was a slog reading it. I found it redundant at times, predictable and violent. It's interesting that it was very popular in Canada. It was not a book I would read again or recommend.

silence, tacos, and zip

I was sitting there with Sam and she told me "there's no guilt allowed when you're too busy living life to post."
~ thank you for those words. I'll let go of it, post a few and move forward.

1 An early morning ride into work with Mr P. We chat some but mostly just enjoy sitting side by side sharing the same space.
2 When I arrive home from work there's a houseful of my favourite people. Nick has requested tacos so it's a combination of soft and hard shells, and an assortment of innards,tomatoes, onions, lettuce, refried beans, cheesy rice, more cheeses and salsas!
3 The days are sunny and bright but the weather itself if cold and windy. I'm tricked by it all and end up going out without a warm enough jacket. Thankfully it was a quick run to and from the shops.

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. 

an attempt at filling in the gaps

1 It's kind of interesting how when life takes off this blog plays second fiddle. Not forgotten that's for sure. I'm always grateful, sometimes life just  keeps me from posting about it.
2 A dear friend came to visit for a few days and we had lots of fun exploring our own backyard. 
3 Two friends were over for a visit and along with Mr P we had lots of fun and good laughs over a caesar or two, appies and an amazing curry dish that J made.
4 Mr P is busy with a variety of projects one of which is installing closet and bedroom doors in the basement. He's very meticulous in his measurements. I'm thinking it's a case of measure twice, cut once.
5 NIck and Sara arrive from China and Mr P takes the time to go pick them up in Vancouver. They're a wee bit travel weary and soon are napping while he's driving.
6 No tears when they arrive because it just feels too darn great to have them hear and I'd rather see them clearly than through my tears.
7 Two long, very long days of training. I'm glad the morning shifts are over!
8 B has an opportunity to move into her third position. She's obviously more than qualified and this new job will net her an additonal $10K! HOLY
9 The house is very quiet and still. I like to listen to the sound of the ticking clock.
10 Nick and Sara have gone to spend the day with Chris and family. It's nice to see the boys together, wives, children and lots to share. One big happy family.
11 I'm thinking it'll be fun to get this party started with my ItWorks business. Fingers crossed it takes off. I really do much better at these things when I've done a bit of research!

a mishmash of posts

1 Our Tula is back to normal. After days and days of sneezing, coughing and lethargy she's finally gotten some energy and is back to chasing her toy mice, and little balls that jingle in the night!
2 Working through the weekend with people I really like means that when one of us gets a fit of laughter the other just says, "pop that call over to me" and we can and do!
3 We get hit with yet another snowstorm in the night and it continued for the rest of the day. I was glad to get a ride to and from work and I think Mr P found it fun to skid and slide around each corner, especially the ones on the steep hills.
4 We are continuing to watch the Oscar nominees for Best Movie with mixed reviews. Sor far my reviews are as follows: The Grand Budapest Hotel was unique, American Sniper a definite thumbs down (too much propaganda), Whiplash loved it, Boyhood loved it and Birdman yes for the acting, no for the actual movie (I think you have to be part of the Broadway world to know what the innuendos are about), Wild was too unrealistic in many ways. What have you thought of these movies?
5 I'm watching Tula with her little mouse toy and she's tossing it about in the air, chasing it and then carrying it in her mouth to the next spot. I'm wondering if I should move my coffee mug soon before that little mouse lands in my cup!
6 An early morning call to work at the Recreation Centre to fill in for a sick employee. 
7 It's nice to see some familiar faces as they arrive for pickleball. I take a few minutes to watch them play and realize it's a pretty decent workout for most of them. 
8 Time to sign up for the next yoga class. Because I'm working for the small city where we live they give their employees free access to all their classes as long as there is space available.
9 Izzy and Kes go to playschool with Grampa. He tells me that they both kept busy with all the different stations and that Izzy particularly enjoyed learning the months of the year. When they pick me up from work that's very evident because she's singing the month song and doing exceptionally well. The only month missing was November!
10 I have a chance to just sit and watch the snowflakes hitting my windshield. It's mesermizing, almost meditative and soothes my head.
11 A friend from the past is at the bus depot when I go inside to find G. She shouts my name and I immediately turn and realize it's her and it's a mini reunion. She and another woman are waiting for a taxi but since G and I are headed there we all pile into my car and have a fun quick drive together. 
12 G and I have a chance to briefly catch up and just share each others' time while she waits for her flight. Best of friends, always. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.