All The Planning

I hate having workmen at our house - it drives me bananas.  Yesterday we had more workmen at the house, this time removing moss from many wet winters from our roof.  We have no large trees around our house and yet the moss still grows.  We've never had it cleaned and if we didn't get to this maintenance job, a reroof would be likely much sooner.  It cost $785 to have this done.  We likely could have done it ourselves but there is no way either one of us is going on the roof in a pandemic.  This is one time where you just pay people to do it.  They scraped off the moss, cleaned the gutters, sprayed, and have a 2-year guarantee to come back for free if we see anything growing in the next 2 years.  A new asphalt shingle roof costs around $18,000 to $25,000 for our house so prolonging the existing 14-year-old roof is super important.  Other than the moss, it is in good shape.  This was a planned expense although we did underestimate by a couple of hundred the cost.  At least now it is done.  

So we've been very busy planning hubby's trip to Alberta to see his Mom a final time.  The urgency is not what is at stake, the home simply thinks that she has weeks to 2 months left and at a certain point likely in the next two weeks no family visits can take place afterwards due to Covid.  There are no inside visits at all.  She must be wheeled to an outside area and if it is raining the visit may be postponed.  We are hoping and praying at this point for a break in the weather.  

I spent hours calculating distances, booking ferry reservations and hotels that hubby will be comfortable staying in.  We are packing up a cooler full of food and drink so takeout will be minimized to reduce his risk of being in the public.  

I've probably spent 2 hours trying to find a decent park where the kids and hubby can meet outside for a takeout meal (likely McDonalds) so they can socially distance and visit at the same time.  My stepdaughter just started working at a nightclub that reopened so she is petty high risk (she knows it but needs to make a living and her hours at the liquor store are cut down to 2 a week now - plus she is an adult and must make her own choices).  My stepson also takes transit to his jobsite everyday as it is in an area with no parking.  I think I've found the right one finally with a shelter and washrooms.  None of the kids own homes and we don't want to risk an inside visit or restaurant visit at this time.  We also don't want to call upon friends and other family to make this happen and bring risk to their house, that just isn't right.  

Anyway, most of the preparations are done - I just need to do a grocery shop and then he can leave on Friday, drive 2 days, do the visit on day 3 and drive back 2 more days.  And yes, when she passes we will be doing this all over again.  Good thing I used to be a travel agent long ago, the booking and research  part is easier for me.  

In good news, I have found a sitter for the next trip for Buddy.  The college girl next door is home and will be doing online courses only for her next year as there is only one class she has to do live and they have deferred that until 2021 and she will take other courses this year.  She is entirely trustworthy and has a cop for a dad and they live directly next door.  I trust her and Buddy loves her.  As a backup to that Mom could come but - she has a cat and feels more comfortable at home.  Buddy needs someone who is energetic to look after him.  And yes, this girl can stay in our house.  I can always sanitize the house afterwards.  Anyway, she has agreed and knows it could be days, weeks or even months away now. She is not hanging out with high-risk friends, her parents are way too careful for that.  She is the most responsible 19-year-old we've ever met and it is a relief to know when we get that call she can help us out.

I feel pretty good although had a bad stomach acid day yesterday, I am not sure why, maybe stress.  I only have a week and a half of pills left so next week will have to do another telephone Dr visit to see what is next.  I do know I cannot go off this medication yet, I simply can't see living without it right now.  

We've been able to go for walks again most days subject to weather.  Part of why I love living on Vancouver Island is the great abundance of beautiful trees and shrubs.  They are everywhere and some bloom year round.  We have very colourful neighborhoods here.  It was quite windy during the picture below, Buddy looks a bit like his ears are sticking straight out.

In other news as our business is drying up, we now qualify for some financial relief from our government through our business.  Likely 2 months' worth.  We have been living on company savings, have a couple of billings coming up next week but that is it for the year.  If this can help us get through another couple months added to what we have in our company bank account hopefully we can make it several more months to when our business will stand on its own feet again.  Self-employment is not for sissies but even more importantly, we are so lucky we were super careful with company funds this year so had a good cushion in the bank when this started.  If those funds run out we still have personal savings but we don't want to tap into those unless we absolutely have to.  The idea of me getting a part time job outside the house right now is freaking both of us out, that was the original plan if hubby semi retires.  Instead we will live on what we make and use savings.  For now at least.

After going 4 weeks without a Covid case on Vancouver Island we now have one again.  Unfortunately, none of us can let our vigilance down, no matter where we live.  

Such is life, everyone has different trials and tribulations these days.  I get that, it just seems like we are all running a marathon right now with no end in sight.  Anyway, I am not depressed, just will be so relieved when hubby is back home - and he hasn't even left yet. This next week is going to be a super long one.