It Ain't Over Til It's Over

 Need I say more?

P.S. During our 16 hour window of running water, we managed to shower; wash a load of clothes; run the dishwasher and have a bath. The end. The saga continues ...

Waterless

When I heard of the winter storm and ensuing power outage in Texas last week, I couldn't help but put myself in their shoes. What devastation a three day power outage would wreak in the dead of a Saskatchewan winter. I cannot begin to fathom the ramifications. 

So when our water stopped running unexpectedly a few days ago, instead of feeling frustrated, I simply felt grateful.

I always keep an extra water supply on hand. It started as a way of helping our extra fridge not have to work so hard to keep the fridge cool by filling the empty space with several 4 litre jugs of water. This very water has been a godsend on more than one occasion.

As our lack of water situation unfolded from one day into the next, we felt destined to believe we would be without water for the entire 48 hour period (the maximum amount of time on the notice that was hand delivered after the fact).

I had packed a few empty 4 litre jugs with me when I went to visit my aunt yesterday. After checking one last time before I headed for home to hear our "no water" situation had not changed, I filled my jugs anticipating the need to flush a toilet would soon become a necessity [the warning "You have ONE flush left - use it wisely" had been heeded and utilized].

By the time I got home, our water had been restored. The sound of running water and flushing toilets was music to our ears.

In all, we were without water about 31 hours. All I could think of during that time is "What if we had been without power during that time? Or both power and water? And had to deal with freezing pipes and cold and safe guarding ourselves and electronic belongings from frigid temperatures?" 

Running water is a convenience we have come to take for granted. Power has become a necessity during our Saskatchewan winters.

May I simply say "thank you" to all concerned that keep things running as expected? This is huge. We are so very fortunate. I am grateful for this opportunity to be reminded of the fact.

Deadline Overload

Ever since I've been working from home, I have been driven by deadlines. Deadlines to file information, to pay bills, invoicing, payroll, month end, year end, GST and PST to name a few.

The months have been flying by because I just don't seem to have the ability to catch up. It is taxing to always feel like you are behind on something.

The backlog has infiltrated life outside my home office. Personal goals and deadlines are last in the priority of claims. I feel like a superhero when I simply keep up with laundry, cat litter, restocking groceries and fighting the never ending battle of cat hair in some manner.

Don't worry about me. Oh, no! I could write the book on self care. When I have free time, I sit in it and just let my brain relax watching my favorite TV shows, lose myself in a Freecell Solitaire marathon on the computer or sit back and savor a phone-coffee-date. I can calm the stress waves coursing through the recesses of my mind like nobody's business.

Except ... I somehow forgot about the deadline to purchase an RRSP. Me. A person who worked in the banking industry for almost 30 years. RRSP time was the busiest time of year for us. No holidays could be booked. We had to have all hands on deck. RRSP time was marked in my mind in permanent marker. Or so I thought.

I somehow confused the expiry date of an investment and the deadline to file income tax with the RRSP deadline. There was something niggling in my mind about this date. But I kept assuring myself that my investment matured long before the April 30th tax deadline. I was fine. No need to panic.

Then came Sunday.

I had indulged myself in all the TV and solitaire I could manage for a day. I wasn't in the mood to start a big job. So I installed my income tax program and plugged in my numbers. I would calculate my taxes with and without the RRSP contribution for comparison. It was then and only then, when I realized my investment expiry date had nothing to do with the RRSP deadline. I had ONE week to make an appointment to take care of this matter.

I have been meeting and beating deadlines for the better part of a year. And I almost missed my own. In fact, as I tried my best to make an appointment to tend to this matter, I may have just missed it altogether. 

"Trust the pause" is my motto. There could very well be a reason I missed this deadline. Only time will tell.

An Unexpected Surprise

Throughout our current pandemic-in-progress, I have rather joyfully accepted my fate and followed the stay-at-home recommendations with ease. 

I have broken this protocol to go to work; get groceries [which has fully transitioned to curbside pick up which is my newest favorite thing!]; pick up prescriptions; replaced my broken glasses; got a mammogram; pick up library books [after reserving them online and checking them out myself to minimize contact and save time as an added bonus];  get gas; run errands as required for my work and donate blood. 

The only thing I had on this weekend's agenda was a blood donation appointment. Between the ability to complete the questionnaire online; the new protocol of appointments only and an overall streamlining of things I can be in and out of the building in no time flat. As I read over the revised COVID protocol, it was mentioned that they were no longer allowing you to eat your after-donation-snack in the building to avoid any hand-to-mouth contact. Everything is individually packaged and must be taken with you when you go. Normally I forego the snacks in an effort to save time. But snacks to go? Sure. Sign me up!!

What I did not think of, is that they still want you to stay in the building and wait to ensure there are no ill effects after your blood donation. I was directed toward my chair while the person in charge happily loaded up my to-go-cart with everything I asked for and so much more.

Then came the wait.

Well! This person was engaging, interesting and all-round entertaining. "Multiple choice question for you ..." directed thankfully at the person sitting two meters to my left. The initial round of questions were dedicated to our solar system (inspired by the Mars landing this week) - how many miles to the moon; how many moons could you fit inside the earth; how many earths could fit inside Jupiter; trivia about the effect the moon has on the earth; did you know if the moon were to suddenly vanish, our 24 hour days would become 10 hour days? The second round of questions were related to the royal family - what city in Canada was named after Queen Victoria's husband; what province was named after one of their daughters; did you know Lake Louise was also named after this same daughter?

The waiting room filled to capacity as blood donors came to collect their prize for donating blood that day and the entertainment went on.

This was the first time I went out for entertainment in almost a year. It was well worth the wait in the most unexpected circumstances.

I spent well over an hour in the blood donation clinic. I am normally in and out in half the time. Will I accept the treats as a trade off for being "held hostage" for the recommended time any time in the future? Probably not. But it was fun while it lasted. 

All I wanted was chips and pop ...

Revelling in the Moment

My desire to write out loud has diminished along with my ambition, motivation and joy factor. As I woke up to a bright and shiny Saturday morning I felt a glimmer of all of the above return. Do I dare wonder why? Or do I simply revel in the moment?

I think I shall do a little of each.

What is right in the world today? The longest months of winter are behind us. Days are lengthening, the sun is getting a little stronger, we are on the other end of a cold snap and the sky has been blue for several days running.

Deduction: Sunlight matters. 

What have I done to make a difference? I have knocked several big jobs off my to-do-list within my job and personal commitments. I managed to accomplish several small tasks on the home maintenance list before the weekend [it may only be washing a few loads of laundry and vacuuming but I still call that a win right now]. All errands are run, the car is filled with gas, my personal accounting/books are up to date and our grocery supplies have been replenished.

Deduction: A sense of accomplishment matters.

Who have I spent time with? I am not alone. I share a roof with my adult child and two cats, for whom I am eternally grateful. I have a nice rotation of friends and family who I have semi-regular phone visits with. People who I miss visiting in person are on the other end of the phone line during this long spell of relative isolation. Our phone calls are the next best thing to "being there". The telephone connection has been a godsend.

Deduction: People and relationships matter.

What thoughts are going through my mind at this very moment? Gratitude. Simple and easy gratitude. For every milk, juice and container I emptied this morning, there was a replacement item sitting in its place. Functioning electricity is keeping our food frozen and our toes warm. My old and reliable car is getting me where I need to go. The roof over our heads is weathering all the conditions of the world around us and our city is providing all the services we need to keep our homes running as we expect.

Deduction: Appreciation and thankfulness matter.

How are we managing on all things health related? I know we are beyond blessed. I feel as fit as a fiddle [what an odd saying ... how does a fiddle stay fit?]. Family and friends are doing okay. This is a gift no matter what the time and place but as we continue to endure the-year-of-COVID, sustained good health is a global matter. Money can buy a lot of things, it can make a huge difference in countries where public health coverage is not a given but in matters of life and death money cannot buy a cure.

Deduction: Good health makes all the difference in the world.

The cycles of life ... the seasons ... the moon ... the hills and valleys of living life ... what we are living changes moment by moment. 

I am grateful for the return of the sun, the position of the moon, the fact I have made it to this particular plateau where I can simply sit and enjoy the view for a while. I hope to utilize this renewal period in a fashion where it continues to grow. 

My wish for you is the same. No matter where you may be on your own particular mountain, please tread carefully, stay safe, rest as needed, and when you are able, take the next forward step. ONE small step at a time gets us where we need to be. May you reach your next plateau, enjoy the view and continue on your journey. One small step at a time.

Sit with me and revel in the moment. No matter where you are, recapture your inner child where you simply see, feel, hear and breathe in the moment. The moment may bring you joy, it may break the façade you are portraying to the world and bring you to tears. Honor the moment no matter what it brings. Feel your feelings, let go of the need to be someone you think you should be. Just be "you". 

Just for this moment. Just revel with me ...