I am probably overdue for an update so here we go. I am
entering my third season here in the Cariboo and so far, this is probably my favorite
one. I have always loved the fall, mostly because I am so relieved to not be
battling the hot flashes (menopause for a chubby girl in the summer is no
joke). The fall colors here do not disappoint, and I am enjoying watching the world
change around me. I am somewhat nervous about what winter holds but I think I
am ready. I have my truck, my emergency kit, snow tires and hopefully enough outerwear
to stop me from freezing to death. I have plans to try snowshoeing, ice fishing
and binge-watching Netflix while I snuggle with the cats by the fire.
I am starting to actually wrap my head around the work that we
are doing at site, I can keep up in the meetings and know what most of the
acronyms means, I haven’t fallen on my face lately nor have I been stuck in the
mud. I am getting VERY sick of the site safety orientation video and I am
pretty sure I can recite it verbatim now. I did have an unfortunate incident getting my oil
changed – when they asked me to pop the hood I was at a complete loss as I didn’t
have a clue where the hood release was located (thanks Ram for hiding it so
well, and I apologize to women everywhere for being such a stereo type). I have
met some pretty amazing people at work who make me laugh until it hurts almost
on a daily basis, they eat my cooking without complaint (most of them), and I
have a group of guys who have my back and are quick to help with whatever I
need. It is kind of like having 6 big brothers around you at all times – they never
miss an opportunity to tease me but when push comes to shove, I know they would
do anything for me.
I have decided that I want to make Quesnel home on a
permanent basis. I feel more at home here in 7 months than I did for the last
several years on the island which is bizarre because on the island I have the
most incredible network of family and friends. My kids are there, my family is
there and the 4 best friends anyone could ever ask for. I don’t know how to
articulate it properly but for a long time I have felt like I was in a supporting
role, helping my kids become successful adults, the sister wife to my friends
families, tagging along in other peoples adventures and stories and now this
feels like the start of my story, and my adventure. A chance to define myself, stand
on my own two feet and see what lies ahead. I know this job won’t go on forever
and who know where it will take me, but I want this little piece of heaven to
be my home base. Now let’s hope the mortgage Gods are on my side!
With this decision comes some pretty heavy guilt that I am
working my way through right now but I am hopeful that my people know how much
I love them and that my kids will understand I am always only a text, a phone
call or an e-transfer away. More than anything I want my kids to unapologetically
find their own paths while they are in their 20’s and not in their late 40’s.
Thanksgiving is coming up soon, it has always been my favorite
holiday, all the food, wine and good company of Christmas with none of the stress.
We will be working for Thanksgiving so I will be making dinner for the guys at my
place (outdoors of course – thank you Covid). Being in a small town with lots
of farms I thought I would try and procure a fresh local turkey for dinner. I
reached out to my new (and fucking fantastic) friend Willow to see if she knew
of anyone selling them. Willow of course came through and sent me a message to
let me know she found me a bird, only $65 bucks!! Great news and sounds like a
steal to me – where else can you get a free range, happy turkey for that
cheap?! Well there is one small catch…. Big Red is still alive. Willow is
generously boarding Big Red at her farm for me until the big day. The plan is
for me to learn the process from start to finish. My mom wants to start a “Save
Big Red” campaign, and the guys are likely betting on whether or not I will be serving
Tofurkey for dinner while my new pet turkey runs around the yard. I wonder what
the board is on a turkey, it has to be cheaper than a horse. Stay tuned for how
that all plays out.
Love you all, stay safe and be nice to each other.
xo
Seanna
