Start to the last week in April

Well...Caiti was home for a visit this weekend. She drove home on Friday afternoon. It was a very lovely sunny weekend. I wasn't feeling that great with my dreadful pain bothering me. On Friday evening, Caiti and I went to Sharon's Partylite candle party which was fun. I got to pick my own Mother's Day present from all the lovely selections. On Saturday, Caiti went out to hang out with Danie and Kirky out at UBC, after work Chrissy headed downtown as she was off work on Sunday and going to the "Beauty and Hair Show" at BC Place Stadium with Jon's girlfriend, Katja. Over the last little while she has been back to comtemplating a career in make-up artistry and Hair Design. She is talking to people in the field and trying to decide where the best place to train would be. I think she is suited to this skill as she has always loved hair and I would enjoy having my hair done for free on a regular basis!! She can be a colour specialist and I will never have to cringe at getting my highlights done!
On Saturday evening we were home alone. I had a ticket to go to the CCAC 15th year reunion party at the Sports Lounge but I was not really feeling that well so we stayed home and I read on the couch as I always seem to be doing of late...not complaining because I love all the books that I have to choose from.
On Sunday, we drove out to meet Caiti who had stayed over night and was having breakfast at the Watermark down in Kits with her friends, these will always be her friends for life and they swear that girl guides has formed a bond that will always keep them friends forever...they are all turning out to be phenomenal young women....a nurse, an engineer and a learned philosopher of sorts!
Today, was an EDO day for me...or rather another visit to the eye specialist for yet another set of tests. Caiti accompanied me this time before she headed home to Kelowna. This afternoon, Darcy fixed my planter box so now it will be good for another season. I planted it and so have included the start of the season photo. I have been late the past few years so wanted to make sure that I got going this year. Since its rather shady at the front of the house, my best choice has been impatiens in this window box, and not the mixed plants that I have attempted in the past. I will slowly work on my other pots as finances permit or if I get plants given to me.
So its back to work tomorrow. May 1 is coming up soon and its Mum's birthday. Jot called and we will help pay for one of her party banquet tables even though I had hoped that I could have gone home for this celebration but we are still yet to be back on track! Soon I hope...soon.

Pretty tree and Spring flowers

This is the tree in front of our house...I love it when its pretty but when the little flowers start blowing off and making a mess in the carport...arghh...or when the rains come then it's all ruined. In the fall, the red leaves from this tree also get tracked in.

Yet, I think its a pretty tree...I love this time of the year with all the blossoms, all the magnolias and the dogwood flowers.
We do love to have fresh flowers at work too...this is what we have currently at the front desk. I think that flowers makes everything so cheerful and its nice to have them on the tables for special events and even in the Lemon Tree Cafe.

I cannot wait until the lilacs come into bloom and hope that I can find a bunch of them to enjoy the fragrance and the colour.

I do love the warmer temperature and the fact that it is still light in the evenings.

Tired Sunday

Just me watching Jon and Kate. Darcy is sleeping in, the dogs are all snoring away. Chrissy has gone to work so just me at home. This was not really a short week with Monday off. Last night we had the Spring Fling dance at Glen Pine. We were fearful that we would not get enough bodies to attend but we did...85 people came out for a fun night of music, dancing and good drinks. We did a good bar service offering a Spring Fling Seabreeze Cocktail as the special for $4.00. As always, deadly exhausted at the end of the night running up and down. Lots of glasses and mugs...side plates from the veggies/dip and fruit,dessert trays. These dances are working out quite well for us.
Not sure what we are doing this day. In the last two weeks, we have had to replace the dishwasher, washer and dryer...always knew these items would have to be replaced eventually so we sort of anticipated this...Darcy has been doing all the laundry because he loves the front loaders. I am sure I will not miss those old appliances one bit.
Its a little cloudy and feels chilly out there today so I don't mind having a home day.

Happy 21st Birthday Caiti!

Today is Caiti's birthday...21 years old.
Darcy made breakfast...we even went to the grocery store and back and she was still sleeping in.

Her request for a full turkey dinner...so I was making stuffing, peeling potatoes and prepping the turkey to get into the oven by 3pm. It was a delicious feast.




The gravy was apparently the best I ever made. Everyone had loaded plates...of course we were soon enough stuffed and feeling quite comatose on the couch.We always have a DQ ice cream cake...that is our family tradition.We waited for dinner to digest a little so that we could have dessert since Caiti and James were headed out to UBC to visit with Danie and Kirky. So Caiti is now 21 and heading into the final stretch of university and her RN degree.
Last night we went into VGH to visit Gary who was recuperating from surgery. Caiti was impressed with the hospital and all the equipment. We went to Tanpopo on Denman for late night sushi as was Caiti's wish. I have eaten way too much and feel so chubby!! Tomorrow I plan to eat very light and then enjoy another 2 days of the long weekend.

Start of the long weekend

I so need this break...Caiti is home for her 21st birthday and Easter. James arrived today with Zara so we are back to 4 dogs in the house for a few days.
I am so exhausted...beyond tired actually. Crazy at work...chaos at home.
Finally....a new dishwasher...the Bosch kicked the bucket and it was had washing for a couple of weeks. Darcy has 3 good leads so all we pray for is an offer. Our washer and dryer is next to go on the blink so hoping we get back on track soon.
Anyway...just a note to start the weekend off...so so tired....

Here at last...

Sunshine and warmth...is this a sign that Spring is here at last as we head into the Easter long weekend coming up? I love having all the windows wide open and the fresh air circulating. Caiti is headed home on Tuesday...it is her 21st birthday on April 11. I am envious of Heather taking this week off before her special out of town visit.

I had every intention of attempting major Spring clean up....but I so needed to relax a lot more. Our Bosch dishwasher is dead...so its been a week of dishes the old fashion way. We finally went to Sears and got a really good dishwasher on a great Spring sale so that will be delivered on Thursday.
Jeannie did a splended job with our Easter display at Glen Pine....
For the next year we are going to have a special table display for all special holidays and celebrations. We did an awesome Nooroz display for Persian New Year.

April 1 Fool that I am....

How can I not post on this day....snow...now that was a real laugh...actually it was very pretty!
Today I spent a full day at a First Aid Training. Every 2 years I do that so that I always have an up to date ticket...so yes I am trained to do CPR, supposedly can save a life and handle most emergency situations. Actually I do feel quite confident and working in a community centre you have to be prepared for anything. I have dealt with 911 situations several times over the last 10 years in capacity working in the field of recreation.
No matter what it is a very long day...up and down the floor working through the different scenarios. At the end, you write a 30 minute exam and then its done.
However, your brains are a little fried and you are just exhausted from information overload.
It's April...already...