#257 - Lentils over Couscous

There was a FIFA World Cup game with the Canadian team today at the exhibition grounds, so we were exempt from the mandatory day in. Not that I would choose to commute on a Friday. Our paint team is working hard to catch up from the delays at the start of the show and the extra three hours we gain by not commuting starts to add up really quick. I am less likely to work extra hours for you if you drag me out the house for no good reason.

We did accomplish a lot of work this week as a result.

I started the day approving the last section of a show and then switched over to painting. I took one of the painter’s assignments to ease their load and help get the show done. I didn’t quite manage to finish it by the end of the day, but I got very close. Will only take an hour or two to finish on Monday.

It’s all hands on deck.

I woke up at nine, completely unaware of where I was or what time it was. I slept later than I usually. Those sleep aids are really working. When I don’t consume the kiwi I don’t get that sense of being knocked as much. It really makes a big difference to the sleep quality I get. I still haven’t been able to source a bag of frozen kiwis, but I’ll keep an eye out.

My neighbour next door popped over to say the older couple down the street are selling. He has been battling dementia, and she is to weak to help him up when he falls. My neighbour and I took turns cleaning the snow off his driveway and walkway. We found him one day lying on his driveway with a bloody nose and unable to stand himself back up.

His wife looked on helplessly, but with little pity for the guy. She was pissed off that he was doing things he shouldn’t have been doing, and she must have told him that a thousand times.

We got him back to the house and into a sturdy chair. After that episode, his children started showing up to cut the lawn and take care of their aging parents. They are nice people and have always been kind. She asked my neighbour to pass on her prayers for us to tell us she thought we were kind people.

She’s a sweet lady.

At lunchtime, we headed out to our favourite walking place, the provincial park with kiddo #1 in tow again. The weather was amazing for walking under the trees, and I felt great after the walk. I felt our speed was faster today as well.

Arriving home, we both got back to work, but first I cut up a mango I had bought on a whim last night and shared have with Robyn. I really love mangoes and I never buy them. I have to have more mango in my life. It was sweet and juicy and delicious.

I paired that with a tuna and lentil combo that came in a can. It was also delicious. I‘ll have to get more of those. I like the other ones with couscous, but they give me gas.

TMI?

Probably.

No one is forcing you to read this!

I continued to paint the assignment I stole and had a short meeting with the boss and the other lead. It was a good chat about how things are going, what thing the art director and client are calling and how we plan to proceed with that information.

All useful things that left me feeling better about where were and where we are headed. The stress of the project is getting near the normal levels we’d expect.

At five I stopped all work and fired up the barbecue. It was time to make cheeseburgers so we could leave for the cottage when Robyn and kiddo #2 were done their work. I bought some smoked cheddar cheese slices that added some lovely flavour to the burgers.

It’s been a while since I made burgers and felt good using the grill. Right when I was making dinner our friends called to see if we could come over for a BBQ on Saturday, but sadly we will be up north at the cottage. It would have been great to get together with them since we don’t get to see them very often anymore.

After dinner, I started getting the packing done, preparing the food for transport and getting myself presentable. I am bringing lots of mosquito repellant creams, sprays and technology with me just in case.

It’s amazing how much stuff you need to bring for a weekend trip. But since we will be doing some hard labour to help them get the cottage ready for renters, extra clothing is required.

I hope to get a bit of writing done while I am up there, but I can imagine that I will be completely wiped out from all the hard labour.

We drove for hours and took a short stop at a King City Enroute and some food. I ordered some Popeye’s Cajun fries and had a Mr. Pips zero beverage.

After that the drive was easier and the traffic all but non-existent.

We had a bit of difficulty seeing in the dark streets of the last stretch but finally we rolled up the drive and ended at the palatial cottage. The lights were all on and Barb and Bill had stayed awake to meet us, which for Bill, who normally goes to bed by eight was a real effort.

We chatted for a bit and got a quick tour of the cottage before heading to bed.

Our room was modern and spacious. The faint sound of the highway through the open windows was negated by the overhead fan. Only the sound of an occasional train horn could be heard through the night. And it was distant enough to sound quaint not bothersome.

I took some magnesium glycinate before slipping into bed. I’d brought my sleep mask as well and I fell asleep almost instantly.

Until tomorrow.