Week 2 – Working from Home

The last week whizzed by! (as did the weekend, sadly)

Making some changes has definitely helped manage work and home life balance. While we have yet to move the treadmill into the basement (it’s extremely heavy and awkward to move), the alterations to my routine made from last week had positive impacts.

Updates to work routine:

• reading, stretching during my regular morning commute time
• eating work breakfast at the same time I normally would
• taking scheduled breaks at the same time as though I were in the office
  • going out for walks during ‘lunch’
• finally adding a second screen to my work station! (*this was the BIG winner of the week)

Another important aspect (to me) is maintaining my weekend routines as well; laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, changing the bed, etc. While I know all of these errands/chores could be completed throughout the week, I need to (mentally/actually) keep them separated in efforts to maintain some sense of normalcy. I am a creature of habit and fear the lines being blurred so drastically that I no longer know idea what day it is.

Simply, joy.

Miracle on Roche Street

This is my Mum’s beautiful house.

One week ago today, Mum went out to visit a friend and returned to discover the sound of fire alarms activated inside her house. Not thinking, she flew into the house and was met by a wall off sheer and utter blackness – a space void of any light. Fortunately, at this same time, a neighbour saw the smoke and managed to get Mum out of the house.

Mum was treated at the local hospital for smoke inhalation and tested for chemical toxicity in her bloodstream, and was later released with a clean bill of health.

While there were no visible flames, the Fire Department has deemed it a chemical fire, originating from a cable receiver box (shown left), causing maximal smoke damage to the entire interior of the house. The blackness Mum walked into was literally a cloud of melted plastic particulates containing numerous hazardous chemicals (see window below). These same particulates/chemicals affixed themselves onto/into every surface of the house (see white bathroom sink below).

The interior is a write-off and has to be stripped down to the studs and completely rebuilt from the inside. The shell of the house remains in tact and unharmed.

While the definitive reason as to why this incident happened has not been uncovered (and may never be), there have been so many blessings in and around the events which occurred.

1. Mum was not home when it happened and is 100% alive, healthy, and safe.
2. We were able to recover/clean necessities (clothes, etc.) – everything was NOT lost!
3. The Guardian Angel neighbours graciously opened their home/hearts to Mum & I for three nights to allow us to gather our wits, fulfill legal requirements, and enjoy the comforts of home (meals, showers, beds, etc.).
4. An incredible insurance policy to cover damages, services, and contents.
5. Mum did not own a lot of possessions and/or furniture, therefore disposal and replacement will be effortless.
6. The house is quaint and will not take long to rebuild.
7. We have a room for Mum to utilize until her house is once again ready for her.
8. I’m transitioning between positions/departments at work, which is allowing me the time off to take care of/spend time with Mum while also following up on legal matters pertaining to the house.
9. My Mum is (still) with me.

Despite the shock of the event itself, we are experiencing every best possible outcome and there are sincerely no words to describe how grateful we are…

Simply, joy.

“I’m Just Movin’ Along…”

I’ve lost my biggest critic.

My uncle Joseph and I had a strange, sometimes tenuous relationship. But it was a relationship comprised of love, respect, and genuine support beneath it all. We didn’t always see eye to eye on (many) things, ultimately because we were more alike than we were able to admit. Passionate, stubborn, argumentative,..resilient.

It was his criticism that drove me to do more, do better. Whether in regards to my writing, my job, or my family, Joseph always stated his mind. He had no patience for sugarcoating, nor beating around the bush. At times this approach angered me. There were also times when his words resounded within me. Regardless of our disagreements, we shared a strong connection and worked to maintain our unusual familial relationship.

Yesterday my dear uncle Joseph left this world peacefully in the comforts of his home and in the company of his beloved wife. As the shock subsides and the grieving lessens, I feel lighter in knowing that he is free. Though his physical self is no longer with us, he is not gone. He remains in my heart, urging me to continue forward with many laughs and great successes. That’s just the kind of man he was…

 

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

– Mary Elizabeth Frye –

Simply, joy.