Tag: Covid

2022 New Beginnings

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The year has begun and already we have some big changes happening.

1 Probably getting a new dog to join our home. His name is Brody and he is Johns uncles dog. Unfortunately, Uncle Fred passed and that has left Uncle Mike alone with the responsibility of caring for him and he is a Doberman Pincer so a large dog. We are unsure of when this will happen but it will be a big change for him as he is born and raised in Victoria BC. So the climate is very different than here. All the same we will give him a loving home to be in. Honestly, I am excited to have a large dog again.

2 We have decided to move the manufacturing part of Uniquely Ys to another location for growth, the new location is in Arnprior and that means I will have an extra hour a day to work in between bus runs. The space is the upstairs with lots of Natural Sunlight and lots of room to move around in. John will take one of the rooms and Stan will be taking the other. There is a huge property that we can make use of. This is a big change but movement into progression.

3 Christmas break has been extended till Jan 17th so far… So I’m using the time to do up straggling orders but also going to be working on the website and preparing for the move.

4 Mental Health is so far stable, I have support from Community Mental Health and still continuing with COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday) We are fortunate to have these available.

5 Mom has a Tumor on her Thyroid Gland and is waiting to find out what they are going to do about it. In the meantime she is down to 87 lbs and very lethargic, weak. I am hoping that after the surgery (whenever that may be) that she will start to get better again.

So as you see lots of things going on. I’m trying my best to stay healthy mentally. As I know I can put myself under a ton of extra pressure trying to do everything all at once.

oh and side note Covid Finally hit our Family. Steven and Rain had it. Thankfully they are both Vaccinated and it didn’t effect them to bad. They are both fine. It has hit a few of my friends as well but no one we normally associate with so for the time being we are ok.

Stay Safe and Healthy as much as possible.


1st Week Back ✔

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So we went back on Tuesday. Mostly the same as usual. Road work, silly drivers, great kids, stressed out on the silliest of things…

I have 2 of my students back from online learning and 3 new students. One of them I have not even met yet but I know he will be on the bus. I’ll be doing up the name badges tomorrow.

Vera and I are sharing the driving from Ottawa back and forth between bus runs. We are helping each other at the store. I spoke with her today to let her know that if she feels crowded or imposed upon to let me know. She told me that was not even a thought. We found out we both have the same internal self speech and anxieties. We will help each other grow.

Charlene flew to Edmonton this morning. I made sure she knew that my saying that I won’t miss her was just a facade and in fact I will miss her dearly. I feel like another Sister has left me. I want what is best for her. I feel that being with her family out there will be such a great blessing for her. How lucky she is to have Grandchildren and the opportunity to be with them as they grow. She has her daughters in-laws welcoming her with open arms. She will finally have the love and support of family that she completely deserves.

Fred has brought me some backgrounds for my displays and things are starting to look much better. I need to focus on my website this weekend but tomorrow getting the space cleaned up and visually pleasing again.

I spoke with Jon and told him to go ahead with any resin art that he wants and if he needs anything to let me know. I want to focus on the CNC skills right now. Get that going before the Christmas rush.

I lost a sale today. My Square would not connect and as we were trying the lady put her card away twice. I had Vera come and try with hers and the customers card failed. I think she purposely put the wrong pin in. It was a spontaneous order so… I think the delay made her change her mind.

I have a tumbler that a customer gave me the art it was from a teen daughter that is now deceased. I decided not to contact the family to ask permission to sell it as it as it was ordered as a gift to the mother of the deceased as a gift.

So I will offer other possibilities to the person wanting it. Not sure if this is the best action but I believe so.

I’m mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.

Back to School

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My last night before going back to work as a school bus driver. Feeling excited, and nervous. Have not had to wake early for about 9 months. Hoping I’ll be ok in the morning. So excited to see the kids.

So many emotions!

I have been working on my website as I changed servers. It is quite daunting as I need to redo all my products. I am lacking in product descriptions but I will figure that out.

So my busy days are starting again. 7-10 bus, 10:30-2:30 Store, 3-5:30 bus

This is Charlenes last week here. She flies to Alberta on Friday. She is staying here with us.

Our house is full. Dylan and his dog Sid are also staying here till he figures out what he needs and gets sorted.

John is feeling a bit overwhelmed but we are managing.

Ok time for bed

Plans

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We are still in Covid Lockdown #3. Not sure if schools are going to open up before end of the year. Still running store as curbside pick-up.

I have ordered more molds and different stuff for the epoxy resin. I am trying new things with it. One of the other vendors in the market works with resin as well and we are doing a lot of supporting each other and helping each other grow our ideas. He is a great artist and he already had me do a transfer of his art on a shirt.

I will be getting a CNC to add to our equipment. Which is exciting as we are going to be able to do so much more.

The full focus of my shop is still going to custom personalized art. Just will have the option to add other products.

As for personal plans. I have reconnected with Community Mental Health and am going to see which programs will help me get through this bought of depression and anxiety.

John is waiting for the OT to assess him to see which programs he is eligible to help him.

You can tell we aren’t doing the best as our home is cluttered and disorganized. Having someone come in every other week to do a refresh is helpful but I’m not getting through the clutter and it is very draining.

I am going to keep focusing on building the business presence online and grow the network.

Building Jays logo for Trucker Tourettes has been draining. I think we are getting it where it needs to be.

Forward thinking and ignoring the wishy washy news of when things are going to reopen is how I am going about my days.

Covid and Relationships

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So I just received a message from a long time friend. She stated that she has blocked me on FB because I have someone on my friends list that she is not wanting in her life anymore. She doesn’t want this person to have anything to do with her and through extension she has blocked anyone that has a connection with him.

I asked if that meant she is removing me from all of her connections (Teens in the home). Also that going about it this way is quite hurtful to me. This triggered a barrage of anger towards me and lashing out.

Our friendship has been strained as it is and she is quite angry that I haven’t been connecting with her for that past while.

I have done what I can with the time and energy I have available. I do believe my friendship with this person is now over.

Covid has put quite the strain on all relationships lately. My marriage is good but it gets rough communicating. With my Depression/Anxiety and John’s PTSD.

Hard to keep up the routine of calling Mom daily as I don’t want to interrupt her day once she gets going. I am not the happiest person to speak to at the best of times but I usually have the energy to listen and help others with dealing with the negative stuff in their lives. Lately, I have not had that energy for a while now.

I am not coping very well and it is showing in the relationships I have in many areas.

A friend decided I need a wellness check last week. A crisis worker called this morning to follow up on that. I told her that I feel I need to connect with Community Mental Health again. She is putting a referral in for me.

I feel at a loss at the moment knowing that this friendship is basically over. A long time of friendship is now over. This sucks. I am truly hurt by her lashing out the way she always does. I know I should expect it.

Not being able to work and go out to release my tensions by swimming, eating out or going out to a Movie or Casino is really effecting me.

I am thankful for having a separate space to work in, doing the custom products help distract me. My house needs some love but not able to get into the proper mindset.