TinkerBlog

And now it's November!

2008-11-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely Halloween weekend away to see family. The weather cooperated for once, and I had a great time.

This picture reminds me of that old Sesame Street song, "One of these things just doesn't belong there" ...

Here's the evening's tiniest little punk'in:

And Clarence The Wonder Dawg was just totally disinterested in the whole proceedings:

And another successful Halloween is in the record books.

— Bonz

And ... it's Fall!

2008-10-19T20:21:00.001-07:00

Went for a drive yesterday afternoon, in an attempt to avoid all the things I should have taken care of at home [read domestic goddess duties].

Along the route I took, I found a craft & antique show, some country shops full of hand-hewn knick knacks, a wondrous veggie market, and some beautiful autumnal coloring. Didn't get my dusting or vacuuming done, but still a day full of accomplishment.

May we each find a route that's entertaining and colorful on our way back home.

— Bonz

Dipping my toes in

2008-10-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Yes. You have it here, folks. Actual proof that some part of my body actually touched wild, natural, free water this past summer. Not just the bathtub, nor the shower in the privacy of my home, but actual real live, Ogopogo-filled LAKE water!

Here is the spot where the momentous occasion went down ... on the beach by Okanagan Lake. Nothing particularly special about the day, other than I was there on holidays for the week.

We would be moving my mom into her new condo the following morning, but on that day we didn't have anything better to do but wait for the movers. So my sis, her kids, as well as a friend & her kids, and myself presented ourselves to the sand and warm sun for a fabulous day by the water. I even managed to get a little tan on my flesh, even as my sister had slathered me with the highest spf tanning lotion possible.

While the kids played in the water, my sister & her friend took out their notebooks and began setting goals for themselves. It was all very self-affirming, but I'd brought along a good book to read and so immersed myself in that. Saving the personal self-reflection and introspection for a rainy day ...

We even had a little visitor come by, begging for treats. Those beach ducks are perfectly brazen! But getting back to the purpose of this post ...

At some point I grew tired of reading and listening to the other two with their shrewd goal planning, so I set the book aside and got up to stretch my legs. The gentle lapping of the water drew me to the shoreline. The kids assured me the water was warm, but I was still hesitant. The last time I'd swam in an uncontrolled water environment [read: lake], a baby's full diaper had floated by me ...

Then I made the big mad crazy leap, and walked into the water.

And took this picture.

— Bonz

Missing in Action

2008-10-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

It's been several months since I posted anything here. No reason other than general laziness ... which I'm trying to overcome! Hello, Queen of Procrastination here.

Where'd the spring/summer go? I can't believe how fast the days fly now that I am this age ... I spent several weeks over the summer in Kelowna, visiting mom and sister & her family there. And as much as I love them, am always thankful when I drive back over the mountain range that separates us and get back home again. Distance brings a family closer together! ;p

Something new in my life ...

At the end of July I traded my lil' Echo hatchback in at the Toyota dealership for a 2008 Yaris sedan. It's more car (hello trunk space!) with the same kind of gas mileage, and is fully under warranty for another 5 years, so I'm happy. But I miss my lil' Echo and how I could scoot around town doing errands. The Yaris means I have to drive more like an adult. ;p

Funny story ... when I was dealin' at the dealership, I told the salesman "ANYTHING but red!" Out of my last 4 vehicles, 3 were red just by happenstance. And red isn't even a favorite color of mine, so enough is enough! The salesman went off to look on the computer and came back a long time later with this sick look on his face. I wondered - is my credit no good? Deal fall through? What?! And he said, "If you want to walk away from the deal now, I won't blame you ..."

WHAT??! Wouldn't you know it, in all of the province and all of the dealerships, there was only two cars with the features that I wanted ... one was an ugly purply-blue, and the other? RED!

God works in mysterious ways.

So once again, I drive a red car.

— Bonz

Easter visit from my mama

2008-03-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

My mother, she came for a visit over the Easter weekend. I know it was a hard trek for her to make, as she hasn't left her home town in over 17 months.

In the past year she's had to cope with my father's sudden death, a hurried downsizing and move, having to settle for a condo not of her own chosing, renovating said condo to bring it somewhat up to her standards, re-adjustment of life without a spouse ... Lots of sadness all around, but I am very proud of how she's managing to cope - one day at a time.

So we shopped and walked and shopped some more. She insisted on buying me something for my new place, so I finally gave in and let her buy a new dishwasher. When it was time for her to leave, I wished she could stay a little longer, and not just because she likes to buy me things. I hope she can come visit again and more often, as there's lots we didn't get around to seeing and doing.

The last time she visited me was Christmas 2006, and my dad was there, and we spent a rainy green holiday in my old apartment. So much has changed since then.

— Bonz

PS: Upon further reflection, the photo above kinda reminded me of this one ...

Sometimes the 80s version is just the better one.

2008-03-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

Not that little David on tonight's A.I. didn't do a good job, but sometimes it's best to go back to the original. I had totally forgotten about this song until I heard it again this evening, and did a little google-searching!

Upon further searching to remind myself who John Farnham was/is, I found this one too ...

Great songs, great lyrics ... I miss the 80s!

— Bonz

Woefully behind in the blogging here

2008-03-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Umm. The last three months, where'd they go??

To recap, spent most of January recovering from the grossly over-indulgence of Christmas. Then at the end of January, bought my own condo.

On a whim! Went out one weekend and just did it! Ack!!!

See picture to the left, with 'lil Red out front, I believe this was taken the day of inspection on the place. It snowed! A good sign?? Everything passed inspection and the deal was done. It was almost painless how easy the whole process from mortgage broker to final paper signing at the lawyers. Should'a done this years ago.

Spent all of February packing.

Took a little mental health break the second last weekend of February with my friend Kristin & two of her gal pals, to do some shopping south of the border. Had a great time!

Moved at the end of February, with my sister's help. She brought her big ass truck down and we moved all the boxes ourselves, leaving the heavy stuff for paid movers. I owe her big time.

Spent most of last week crazed at the office with a big conference that I felt I had to put my personal touch on. Got sick by the end of last week. Spent most of this past weekend in the throes of chest congestion & sneezing hell.

And here we are, almost half-way thru the month of March already! Whew, time sure flies when I'm intensely focused ...

Here's a picture of my new home studio ... all of that IKEA furniture (plus a few other pieces in other rooms) had to be put together by hand, and OMG my hands & wrists are KILLING ME! Too bad I can't use my new work space yet, as I'm so crippled from the resulting carpal tunnel.

It still feels like I'm housesitting for someone, or staying in a hotel for a little while until I return to my old apartment ... but it's starting to feel a little like "home".

Especially with me being sick and miserable, curled up on the couch with my new comfy mink blankey and a wall of used snot-tissues piled around me.

Home ownership ROCKS! ;p

— Bonz

Christmas Party Season!

2007-12-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

Ah 'tis the season! For scrumptious food and fun times and good company ... like today when our staff closed the office and had lunch together!

Wished I would have taken more pictures, as there's a whole other table in the background with the other half of our staff, spouses included.

We had a great time at a local Greek food restaurant (I'm still breathing out the garlic!), which included some fun games, some door prizes, and a nice parting gift for each one. Thanks, boss and boss's wife!

When I hear about other people's work lives and how so many have problems with their jobs or maybe with co-workers, I feel so blessed to work in such a great environment like I do, with such awesome people.

If Christmas was the season for counting my blessings, I'd count my job and my co-workers right at the top of the list!

— Bonz

Birthday Blog!

2007-12-01T22:19:00.001-08:00

Yep, it's not bad enough that I turned forty-something-something this day, but it had to SNOW! Jeez, like I haven't suffered enough this year ...

It was a nice day all around. Meet with some of my friends for a great breakfast at our usual place - ABC Restaurant - and had our usual ... the Bacon 'n Chedder Benny, with the deep-fried potatoes. Yeah, not on my diet plan, but WHO CARES!? IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! ;p

I have a great circle of friends who are all such a blessing to me. All are married women, some are even (young) grandmas, but we always have a good time, lots of laughs, and I know that even with their own busy lives, would have my back in an instant if I asked for it.

After breakfast, we all went our separate ways for the day. I did a little jobbing around town but eventually made it home and have been hibernating ever since. I don't mind so much, even with it being my birthday and all ... I spent most of the afternoon and evening working on some Christmas cards as well as some ideas for Valentine's cards (I know, no time like the present, right?!). Since there wasn't much on the telly, I've been listening to the local country music station, and with all the road reports they've been giving, I'm glad I'm safely at home and not out in the snow & the cold.

So my day has passed but it's been a good one ... time spent with special friends, some accomplishments made on various crafty projects, and letting my body try to recover from the nasty COLD I am currently experiencing! Cough cough, hack ...

Birthdays are *so* over-rated!

— Bonz

Alone again, naturally ...

2007-11-24T22:13:00.000-08:00

My sister and her kids came for a visit on Wednesday, and left this morning. My bro-in-law joined us last night, so there was 5 people in my one-bathroom apartment overnight. What fun!

Actually, it is always a blessing to me when they are here. I know it's hard for them to come to my dinky little two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, but I appreciate the effort when they make the trek. I am alone too much of the time so it's always good to have some company to shake things up a little!

We spent the days shopping, and eating, and we laughed, and all had to share the bathroom. And they left lots of laundry for me to wash up, and ate all my treats, and I couldn't watch any of my shows ...

But of course I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I wish they could come more often. The kids especially get a kick out of my little place. They think it's a "hotel" because of the elevator and the hallway you have to take to get to my apartment door. Although they don't quite get the concept of people living below me, which is why they should STOP JUMPING OFF THE FOOTSTOOL!!

I am always in a tizzy of anticipation before they come, and when they are here it's always rowdy and crowded. But after they leave, there is huge silence and I am sad. But at least I have the bathroom all to myself again. ;p

Winter Hair (Do)!

2007-11-15T19:32:00.001-08:00

I went to my wonderful hair stylist the other evening, and told her ... "My life is boring and drab! Let's do something funky wild with my hair!"

And so she did.

You can't really tell by this picture, but I've got PURPLE highlights! And they keep getting more purpler by the hour!

Well, I *did* ask for something funky!

I'm such a sap for a happy-evah-after ending

2007-11-12T22:22:00.001-08:00

“One minute we talk of the colour of fruit, the next of love. How does that happen?” (John Thornton)

I watched the dvd "North & South" (the BBC production of 2004) again over the weekend. Twice.

And I cried both times at the ending. It's that good.

I think Mr Darcy has some new competition in Mr John Thornton. Eee gads, I love me the romantic/dramatic costume pieces!

2007-11-12T16:24:00.000-08:00

I wrote this back in 2002, and with our own Thanksgiving just past and the American one coming up soon, I was reminded of the experience I went thru back then, and how it warmed my heart.

Canadian Thanksgiving - October 2002

The holiday was looming on my horizon and I still had not made plans for what to do with a three day weekend. Since my car is presently unreliable for long drives and the weather was dicey, a trip through the mountains to see my family was not the best choice. I decided instead to stay home and maybe have some friends over, cook a big meal, do the usual stuff-yourself-‘til-you-drop kind of thing, maybe take in a movie or two.

Then I got an email from a guy named Rob who is on a ship somewhere, out there, in service to his country. I instantly knew what to do for Thanksgiving and with the money I would have spent. With a budget of about $90 in mind, I made a trip to our local Wal-Mart on the Friday night after work.

The Halloween candy display was right by the front entrance, and since I’m not much of a cookie baker, figured a Halloween care package would suffice. I threw several packages into my cart. Right after the seasonal aisle is the books and magazines, and I spent several minutes checking out the magazines. I didn’t want anything too racy, nor too boring. Snowboard magazines? Maybe if this was Canadian servicemen, but probably not for this crowd. I think I settled on a Rolling Stone, some men’s health journal, a car magazine, and a puzzle book.

I made a detour through the cosmetic department for a bottle of body wash, some soap, hand lotion, and a few other personal items. I had read somewhere that the gals on board might appreciate some NICE smelly stuff that would also be practical.

Then over to the food aisle, where I loaded up with boxed cookies, more hard candies, and my personal favorite - a bin of neon colored sour gummy worms. Excellent! I agonized over several chocolate items, but knew that they probably wouldn’t travel well. God only knows when or if this package would ever arrive!

The cashier rang everything through and the bill came to just over $70.

When I got everything home, I found out it was going to take two boxes to fit everything, still with some room to spare. So I went to my to-be-traded bookshelf. I had recently purchased some hard covers and so was disposing of the related paperbacks, most of which were in brand-new condition. I knew I could get a good deal at the used-book-store for them, but I threw about 6 or 8 of those in, just to make the boxes full.

Saturday I spent in wrapping & taping & addressing.

Sunday I went to church and said a prayer for service people everywhere who aren’t home over the holidays.

Monday I loaded the car and made a run for the Washington State border. I live only 15 minutes from a border crossing, and with my fingers crossed and a completely innocent look on my face, told the border guard that I was just going down to Bellingham for some shopping.

I had been invited to several Thanksgiving meals at different homes that day, but had declined all in order to accomplish my Thanksgiving Day mission. I found the post office in Sumas, just across the line into Washington, only to realize that it was Columbus Day and all government agencies were closed.

So in a panic because I didn’t claim the two LARGE parcels in the hatch of my car, and I don’t want to be searched on the way back and have them found and then have to pay duty on them or have my car impounded … rational thought process rapidly deteriorating by this time … I found a friendly neighborhood Fed-Ex man. Now, Rob had mentioned something about Fed-Ex not being able to deliver to the Navy, but I thought it was worth a shot.

The man (and eventually his wife, who came out from the back as I babbled my story) were so helpful to me. They both double-checked their computers, but nope, they couldn’t send anything to the address I had on the boxes. Then in a moment of graciousness which just about had me crying, the man started looking through the phone book for Mailboxes Etc. kind of places that might be open in the area. He phoned 4 different businesses LONG-DISTANCE at his expense before he found someone who was open on the holiday, and then drew me a detailed map on how to find the place.

I left their business clutching the map to my breast and with a full heart.

The map was excellent and after about a 20 minute drive I found it. I carried the larger of the two parcels in. It was really just a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, with one man behind the counter reading a magazine. He had taken the phone call from the Fed-Ex guy and had been expecting me. I gave the first parcel to him for weighing while I went out to my car for the second.

We exchanged some pleasantries while I filled out the necessary paperwork, and I explained to him who Rob was and why I was doing this. He mentioned about his years in the Air Force, stationed in Alaska, flying MIG’s over Soviet air space. He seemed to be in the mood for some reminiscing, and I had the whole day ahead of me, so we chatted. He made mention of how appreciated the parcels from home had been, while he’d been in the service, which only reinforced for me why I was doing all this.

Finally the moment of truth - one box was going to cost $36 and the other $39 to mail. In American funds. Right now, one Canadian dollar is worth around $1.58 American. And he doesn’t take Mastercard. He directed me to a bank machine across the street. When I got back to the shop, he was telling the next person in line all about “this Canadian gal who was spending her Thanksgiving sending some parcels to some of our boys”.

Everyone turned to look at me, I waved my handful of twenties, and they all gestured me to the front of the line. I paid my bill, the parcels were taken into the back, and I breathed a prayer that they would eventually reach their intended destination.

I had about $10 left over, so I drove a little further south to a Taco Bell and treated myself to a great Thanksgiving Dinner.

So I went a little over budget, but the warm fuzzy feeling has stayed with me. My parcels arrived in the first wave (about 10 days after I sent them out), and I hear that they were distributed at something called Steel Beach Day, just in time for Halloween.

Halloween [The Day After]

2007-11-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

The best part about Halloween ... besides being able to indulge your inner demon by dressing in goofy outfits and eating too much candy ... is the stuff on SALE after the big night!

Behold the 'tarbucks mug ... ohhhhhh! I'd been coveting one of these for weeks, but couldn't justify spending $12 on it. Today's sale price - $5. Hello, instant purchase!

What tickles me most is the wee black spidey on the inside, hanging from his web ... ahh, delish!

Back to the night of ghouls and goblins ... I haven't felt like "partying" much this summer/fall (see previous post), but a friend DRAGGED me out trick or treating with her kiddies last night, and I had a real hoot. It was great fun walking for blocks and blocks in the freezing cold ... ah, just kidding, K. It was fun, got some fresh air, and had the chance to spend time with a good friend and her sisters and about 7 kids. Or at least, that's the number we ended up with by the end of the evening.

Well, time for a cuppa of peppermint tea in my new mug (of *course* I'm going to use it all year 'round!) ... and a good book. It's not going door to door for free candy, but it'll do!

— Bonz

"Sick" Day

2007-10-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning with the awful feeling that the past few months HADN'T been just a dream, that my dad was still dead from a massive heart attack, my mom still an anxiety-ridden mess, my sister still living in their trailer with her husband & kids since their house was still unliveable, and my own life still circling down the drain of procrastination and apathy ...

Yep. "Sick" day, if there ever was a need for one.

So I did the chicken-sh*t thing and called the office to leave a message on the answering machine, letting our receptionist know that I would be at home and available to receive calls in case of any emergency.

Then I padded into the living room, laid on the couch and channel surfed through the various morning shows to see what befell the world & Britney Spears in the hours overnight (nothing really big happened BTW), and then crawled back into my bed. With laptop. And a whack of books within easy reach, should I care to read something later.

BUT THEN the phone rang. It was my sister, on her last thread of sanity. My mom called HER earlier in the morning to say she's having one of her "episodes" (dizzy, heartburn, periods of vomiting) and needs help. My sister, who is supposed to be making some big presentation at her job this morning, is going to check on mom before heading to her commitment, but I could tell by the frazzled tone of her voice, that this IS NOT GOOD.

Sigh.

I moved a mountain range away many years ago just to avoid this type of drama which is so prevalent in my family. But with my father's death this summer, I keep feeling like I'm being sucked back into the black vortex of familial chaos.

After I got off the phone with my sis, I called my mom and listened to her litany of woes (sorry, trying *so* hard to remain patient & calm & sympathetic but some days it's really really hard when I know it's all just emotional manipulation on her part). Now I'm sitting on the edge of my bed, teeth grinding, all my *own* problems now compounded by anxiety over what's happening 3 hours away and maybe I need to get up there for the weekend, and how I just want to shut off the light, crawl back under the blankets, and go back to sleep.

Yep. *Definitely* a "sick" day.

— Bonz

Another Friday night sitting around ...

2007-09-14T21:58:00.001-07:00

Doing NOTHING! So here's a snippet of something I've written ...

IN DREAMS

The strangeness is going to come
So you wrap it up in the familiar

Within the small details of an average life
Emerges a picture
Someone afraid to start
Afraid to try
Afraid to fail

Within the small details of an average life
The story remains incomplete
Dreams once held form and substance
Now lay naked on the ground

Within a small life of average detail
The picture is complete
I have hidden myself away from trouble
And now I’ve lost the key

© B.L.B. (me!)

A dizzy few days

2007-05-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday morning I was at work, business as usual, or so I thought ... until a dizzy spell hit me around 9 AM just by the water cooler.

I sat at the table in the staff room with my head down, hoping that it would pass. No such luck. By about 10:30 it was so bad, I was starting to throw up, always a pleasant thing to do at work, in front of co-workers. Luckily my friend & co-worker Carol was there, and she took charge. Got me home (vomiting all the way), and then came back to check on me around 2:30, at which time I was so bad off that I couldn't even walk or stand up.

So long story short, a call to the ambulance, a ride to the hospital (vomiting all the way again) and finally being admitted to the hospital for observation.

They put me on an iv so that I wouldn't get dehydrated, and put some Gravol in there as well so that I wouldn't be so nauseous. Which pretty much knocked me out for the rest of the day.
I got out the next morning and have pretty much laid low at home since then. I woke this morning with bad dizzy spells again, so I drugged myself up and stayed in bed all day. Nice waste of a beautifully SUNNY and warm weekend. Sigh.

Even reading & watching tv is too much for my out-of-focus eyeballs and swishy brain right now, although luckily I am able to keep down food. Like I ever go off my food, even when sick! One more day and then it's Monday, and I need to get back to normal & work, as I've got a lot on my desk to look after.

Virgin Post!

2007-05-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

Since everyone I know seems to have jumped on the blogwagon, and I've found a lot of empty time on my hands lately, here I am. Sadly, I need to get a life!

I also should be working on my "writing" ... but as someone said today, "Why not WRITE in a BLOG?!" Good question. I wanna be a "writer", but I give myself no time to spend in the craft. So maybe this will be a good way for me to kick-start myself.

Or just another good way to procrastinate.