Putting the fun in dysfunction

A quick update from the departure lounge as the past 24 hrs have been a teensy bit frantic. I am amazed to find myself awaiting my commute and anticipating having supper in Ottawa with my first born - we're talking about an Afghani restaurant which is likely as close as we'll get to the Middle East so why not? You would think that after the minor skirmish of pay scale was settled that it would've been straight forward to have travel arranged but...that's a hard nope!

My CSA dates are May 17 - June 14 and so it would be safe to assume that a ticket to reflect that would be issued. By Wednesday when nothing appeared, I emailed HR - no response. On Thursday morning I shopped for $250 of groceries (got some strange looks at Sobeys as I weighed them to meet my 2 x 50 lb baggage allowance) home to remove the excess packaging and distribute them into my two duffels. I phoned duty travel and was advised that  I didn't have a ticket yet. I phoned HR and the clerk conferred with a coworker in local dialect using occasional English terms such as emergency, urgent and my name in between my the Inuktuit words, then returned to the line to say calmly that a request had been sent, my form was awaiting signature at the office of the Assistant Deputy Minister (likely due to cost as purchasing it this close to departure would be off the scale) and would likely be issued before the end of the day by 6pm. I explained that an early morning flight wouldn't be possible as I have to drive three hours to the airport, store my car and check in two hours before the flight (foreign concepts to northerners who take ATVs to the airport 5 min away in their community). At 5:45 pm I received an email with flights attached with a departure of 7:45am the following morning, flying straight through from Halifax to Pond Inlet. Racing the clock I phoned the clerk, again explained that I was NOT going to drive all night and requested a change to later in the day and overnight in Ottawa, she agreed to contact duty travel and I offered to stay in Ottawa for the weekend if that helped. About 45 minutes later I received an email from duty travel with a change to my 4:10 pm departure, an overnight in Ottawa and flights through from there Saturday am, meaning at least a brief visit with the Ottawa daughter which was my goal. The struggle is REAL!

Cooked a supper for two of chicken, asparagus, and tostones (fried plantains) which I won't have for a while. Hid anything I don't want messed with in my absence, played with the groceries/luggage, crocheted a bit, chatted online and finally crawled into my own bed for the last time in a month. Despite all the hassles, I am excited to be going to a new community and pleased to be working for a bit. If you're wondering where Pond Inlet is...just Google it :) And of course stay tuned for photos as it's a beautiful spot I'm told and this time of year in the north is breath taking on the floe edge!

Up this morning for last minute prep and final readying. Off a bit early (which was a good decision with all the holiday weekend traffic) and arrived at my nursing class buddy's place to store my car in good time. She offered to drive me to the airport, I cancelled the cab and off we went. Relatively painless check in, a few glitches with the change in ticket, but with all the weighing and re-weighing the bags were 49.8 and 49.2 lbs respectively. Now that's an experienced packer - didn't have to take out my boots, that's for tomorrow am. 

So...departing soon. Next post....north of 60. Later

When you're old as dirt you stand your ground

It sounded so simple to say...awaiting my travel for my next contract didn't it? Nothing is 'that' simple when you work for the government....any government, but apparently especially GN (Government of Nunavut). 

In February I'd given dates of availability from May 17 - June 17th so was anticipating travel arrangements. Having received a general email stating all duty travel bookings were seriously delayed, I waited until last week before emailing the travel department - no response. I was determined to receive my CSA (agreement to sign) before leaving home. The contract in January I'd already been working in the community for two weeks when the CSA was forwarded with beginning payscale and the instruction to 'sign and return immediately or it would be four weeks before my pay would be issued' leaving me the option of agreeing or going home so I signed, but was not happy. When the pay rate is nearing home province wages and you could sleep in your own bed and make almost the same amount...what is the point? Yes, there is the exorbitant cost of northern travel which is covered by the employer as you experience a new community and culture but...there is the payment of rent with roommates of various habits (have been lucky to cohabit with some great nurses as well as a couple of real winners) and a wide range of staff housing, there's the work of schlepping belongings and food thousands of km, settling in to the apartment and cleaning for departure, the two days (at least) travel each way and there's the community itself, the time of year (blizzards, muck or dust, bug season) as well as decrepit vehicles etc. Not even addressing the issue of the work itself, staff or other challenges.... I still enjoy and look forward to working as a northern nurse but this is not a job you do for the same money as staying home. 

On Monday I contacted the HR clerk advising I was awaiting my CSA to sign and travel booking. Late Tuesday I received an email apology for the delay with CSA attached for signing. However....the CSA quoted a payscale which was significantly lower than I'd expected and the same line as my previous contract - PR17 which obviously wasn't correct because Public Health and Supervisor Home and Community Care are two completely different positions. When I researched the situation by messaging various colleagues employed presently or previously with GN I discovered that the homecare position is PR19, that a new grad (one years experience) had received step 2 on first contract north, then step 4 on her second - meaning she received $8/hr more than what had been proposed for me. Dagnabit! I dug out my resume, calculated my experience and wrote a firm email outlining my 43 years of RN work and almost ten years of homecare nursing in both southern and northern communities while quoting the payscale my new graduate colleague had been paid, requesting an amended CSA to credit my experience. What's the point of being this long in the tooth if it's not appreciated? This afternoon I received an apology from the clerk with CSA amended to reflect step 2. I signed, scanned and returned the document which ensures that duty travel has been requested. The general consensus from various colleagues?  This region has a habit of returning to beginning pay so you best carefully review anything you sign. Quite a good scheme they've got going there. Mind you, if they're booking last minute travel, they'll need extra $ as I shudder to think what purchasing airfare 24 hrs before my departure sets them back. On a positive note, I'm travelling over the weekend so that will allow for more visiting with the daughter enroute. 

Packing procrastination was replaced with some serious sorting as I located my northern gear and stuffed my duffel bags. The good part of a spring contract is lighter weight clothing, meaning more room for food. I had the shore captain weigh the partially filled luggage to ascertain how many pounds of food (30 lb each it turns out) will meet the 50lb x 2 bag limit. Tomorrow I'll likely have a few strange looks while ticking off my shopping list and weighing the food in my Sobeys cart but no point in buying perishables you can't take. I've heard that prices in Pond Inlet aren't as high as Clyde River (odd as it's further north) but more likely due to competition as both a Northern Store and COOP in Pond. 

shark chair in the workshop

Do you see anything?

Enjoyed visits with all of the grandchildren over Mothers Day weekend with a trip to the city - the youngest grandson is a really big guy (100th percentile for height) and pretty laid back, his big sister is learning all sorts of new things and he watches her intently. We picked up the oldest grandson on our way back from the city and I put him on the bus Monday morning. He was particularly pleased with the shark chair which his Grawmp had crafted for him for the deck. The other item he'd crafted had given him a bit of a start but after he looked more closely on his way up the driveway,  he announced "Nanak, I think that someone is trying to prank us".  Maybe he won't be as intrigued by Big Foot when we're camping this year.... lots of summer to look forward to upon my return. 

We're in the process of booking an autumn trip to Europe which includes a river cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. The office manager who faithfully ensured there was a business to retire from is accompanying us for the first two weeks and will fly home from Switzerland while we visit Argentine friends on sabbatical in Konstanz, Germany as well as exploring Austria and Liechtenstein for another month.  In anticipation of the travels I've been doing some research at the library. The librarian kindly showed me how to use the new app Libby for downloading eBooks and it is more simple than previously, so at home I went through tagging a number of books for later requests. As well we went through the website looking for some German authors and found one on the shelf as well as some travel books. Later in the week I received an email saying that a book on hold was waiting for pickup at the library. Thinking I'd inadvertently put holds on books through the app I stopped to pick up the reserve and clarify how to use it. It turns out that the librarian had found a new website:

tripfiction.com

where you look up reads by location. She found a book in the list for Germany and put a hold on it for me. Whew...wasn't me. When I am home over the summer I'll get into some lists as my European history is a bit fuzzy. 

Have had a busy but productive time at home since returning from vacation(s) with some baking, appointments, socializing and crafting. The shore captain is heavily into his garden prep, building raised beds and planting in the greenhouse. The weather has been cold, wet and soggy but ticks and black-flies arrived anyway so it's time to leave. Another good reason for going back to work...I had the brakes completely redone on my car - it's the third set in six years as the Dodge Darts have a problem with them pitting and more so as mine sits around. There'll be a two year warranty again now at least and I'll earn some serious points on my credit card for that bill.  

Next update from north of 60....

Change of plans

Will I ever start a blog post without the classic opener of…..just home from a great trip? Not likely and am really glad to be able to describe another great vacation. Changing from the failed RBC Rewards Vancouver trip to Plan B - a visit to see the Ottawa daughter worked out more than well. 

When I attended my hair appointment and chatted with the stylist about the upcoming trip she said “my cousin Michelle is a steward on the Ocean run of the Via train, you’ll have to say hello from me if you see her”.  In the ‘small world’ that is Nova Scotia, despite a long train of sleeper cars, you can guess who our steward was…yup! 

The day before our trip I travelled to my appointment with physio/rhuematologist for back adjustment and prolotherapy injection. My heel was bothering me and this apparently is from being out of line and pulling a tendon so….lots of calf stretching exercises now which make it feel much better. On a positive note, the posture support (torture apparatus) that I’ve been wearing off and on for year has been put away as the injections are in my upper back/neck now and really beginning to keep my vertebrae aligned. Plan is for another round in June. Pleased to be getting back to my physical self. 

Daughter #2 arrived on Wednesday evening with the two grandkids for Easter so I could visit before taking off. Lots of fun to have little ones in the house and all sorts of new playthings for them. The baby is really growing big (17 lb at 4 months) strong and tall. He’s a smiley guy and is easily amused by watching his big sister. She is pleased that he’s able to hold toys, makes attempts to talk to her and is her biggest fan. Yesterday when their mother was congratulating him for rolling over from back to front, his big sister walked over to him, rubbed his head and said "your'e good at rolling". My theory is that it’s all fun and games until he is able to take back toys or otherwise assert his independence. 

The arrangement was for the oldest grandson to get off the school bus here on Thursday and as I put on my jacket to meet him, the shore captain phoned from the yard to announce that the bus had gone by without stopping. I texted his mother to see that a bus transfer had been arranged (it had) or if he was going to a family member - nope, neither of them were home - so into the car to chase the bus but within 1/2 km I met the bus returning. Apparently as our house was bypassed the grandson alerted the driver and he retraced his route. Lots of visiting with the cousins, the two little guys from our former house across the road dropped by and played games, the nurse daughter arrived with her dogs and as supper was on the BBQ the father of the grandkids plus his buddy arrived with their dog (cats scattering) and sleeping arrangements got creative. As I packed the grandson’s bag, the nurse daughter did her laundry and tailored camping gear repairs for the buddy and…..the drain from the washer erupted all over the mudroom. What a mess and what a send off! A mop up, stacking of bags in the front entryway and crawling into bed. At 10:30 pm the toddler was rolling around in the hallway, talking to herself, singing and refusing to go to sleep. 

Up in the am to make some breakfast, organize the grandson, visit with the younger grandkids and off in the car to the train station. Since we were traveling out by train and back by plane, the youngest daughter arranged to pick up my car from the downtown train station and leave it at in airport parking. This was accomplished as they are making trips to their house on the outskirts of the city readying it for sale. New house construction on land they were given at the lake is this summer's project and they are looking forward to non fifth wheel trailer living. But I digress. 

Parked in the Indigo lot and discovered that construction meant no access to the station so in through the attached Westin Hotel (former CN train hotel) and checkin, selected first lunch seating and were directed to the lounge. Dropped the grandson and the luggage off there with a kind senior lady who offered to keep an eye on him while I returned to the pay station as the parking must be prepaid. After a skirmish with the machine, I paid for a week and rushed back in (assisting passengers non familiar with the area as I went) to find the grandson chatting with his minder as she assured me he was a wonderful kid. Departure was called and we made our way to the waiting train, welcomed by our steward Michelle. We settled in our cabin, checking out the amenities, stowed our gear and were shortly underway to Montreal. We made our way to the dining car and enjoyed a lovely three course meal - I had fish chowder, salmon plate and maple crunch dessert. A stop in the lounge to use the wi-fi and back to the cabin to read/crochet and off to explore the observation car, find the snacks, chat with other passengers etc. Different scenery than highway driving and the pace is very relaxing. We enjoyed a lovely supper as we shared a table with a couple from Belgium who were travelling across Canada on the train. Staff were even kind enough to suggest pizza or KD as a alternate for the younger set and I had a lovely glass of NS wine. By 9pm, as we'd arranged, Michelle had made up the bunks for us with nice linens, duvets and

flooding in Quebec

fluffy pillows. The grandson quickly climbed up the ladder and was promptly asleep. I read for a while and drifted off myself, waking at midnight as we were stopped in Campbellton and were passing through snowbanks at least four feet high - still winter here! Back to sleep with the very soothing rocking motion, awake in Quebec City in the morning. Lots of flooding in Quebec and Ontario. We enjoyed a great breakfast - I had banana bread french toast - and a nice chat with a grandmother heading to Ottawa to visit her grandson. We shared the usual concerns of technology vs lifeskills for our grandsons and then returned to pack up our things. Have decided that especially with kids, the train is an excellent option - good pace, can move around, great food, cost effective - as long as you have the time, and with only 21 hours from Halifax to Montreal...what is not to like?

We were in to Montreal station exactly on time and quickly out in the city centre. A short walk (as we admired the skyscrapers) brought us through chinatown and in to the Holiday Inn. The grandson was thrilled to find a large pond of carp with lots of walkways and bridges in the lobby and I was pleased to be given early access to our room. We settled in, went for a swim, whirlpool and sauna experience and then watched some street activity - a yellow jackets demonstration then a local cultural parade. We were tickled to find the Auntie arrived on time by train and joined us in all the fun. We wandered a bit in the old port, explored a bit of the underground city as it began to rain and then stopped for a lunch at a nice cafe called Mandys, followed up by latte/dessert at Tommys which was an eclectic spot. Back to the hotel, some games and catching up and down for supper in the lobby - enjoyed some authentic soups, noodles and more (not dim sum as we'd anticipated as we were informed it was for breakfast/lunch in Chinese culture). Settled in and slept soundly. 

In the am we discovered that the Easter Bunny had found the grandson - pretty smart rabbit - and had hidden candies around the hotel room. The most popular gift was a world atlas book with activities which the well travelled boy quickly pursued. We readied ourselves and headed out for our full day of being Montreal tourists, stopping first at a hipster cafe for breakfast - very European with good eats and drinks, then off through the old port to the Montreal Science Centre. What a great place! All the usual displays and a great exhibit on spiders. Very interactive, lots of hands on activities for kids and even a demonstration of how fireworks are made. We could've spent all day exploring there, but by 1:30 pm we opted to catch a bus/subway to the Biosphere on Ile St Helene. If you recall the Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome, an iconic landmark and the American pavilion, from Expo 67...this now houses the Biosphere. It includes a living wall, great 360 movie on the environment and wonderful displays from Expo 67 and Man and His World which continued in 1968 (fond memories of visiting then with my parents and younger sister). I was transported back to the music (steel drums, polka bands, horn sections) smells (delicious global cuisine) and costumes (grass skirts, floral shirts, lederhosen) multiple languages, fountains, monorail and pavilions. A great trip down memory lane. Great environmental info and future planning as well. We exited as the museum closed and retraced our steps. Time to ready ourselves for supper as we'd decided on Italian food so were directed by the concierge to Bevo in the old port. It was a busy spot, great waitress and a fantastic supper of fresh pasta. Yum. A lovely stroll back to the hotel in the spring air and quickly to bed. 

Monday morning saw us up and ready for our trip back to Ottawa. A quick stop for breakfast (croque matin for the daughter and a caprese flatbread for me) with fresh squeezed orange juice. Ahh. The short stroll to the train station and a wait in the VIP section thanks to a very hospitable VIA employee and we were on board. Time to play exploding kittens as we rolled through Montreal and out to farm country, past flooded fields and finally into Ottawa. We ubered to the townhouse and I succumbed to a nap while the grandson helped his auntie with her estimating work. We headed out to Value Village, where we scored some great finds such as a vintage cribbage board, a 'facts' book and a pair of jogging pants for the boy. The grandson promptly lost his new spring jacket (we suspect it was found by another shopper and purchased) and we were forced to buy a replacement. Sigh. We stocked up on groceries and headed home to make supper and call it an early night. 

Japanese Village

Tuesday morning the working girl headed off to the office while we slept in. After breakfast we caught the bus (sharing public transportation with the usual city eccentrics such as a transvestite - the grandson was originally skeptical of my explanation) to the War Museum, bought a three day museum pass and spent the day checking out this great facility. I'd visited it on my high school graduation trip and was impressed 45 years ago, but a larger facility and enhanced displays really make it a great spot. Lots of military veteran volunteers circulating to answer questions and lots of interactive displays. It was easy to spend six hours exploring. The working daughter joined us at 5pm after work and (as per the grandson's request for teppanyaki) we made our way downtown to Japanese Village. What a wonderful evening of conversation with interesting people at our table and delicious food. 

Lila

Wednesday saw the routine repeated with a bus to the Canadian Museum of Nature and exploration for the day. Wonderful displays of the arctic, dinosaurs, marine life, plants, geology and special exhibits of butterflies - they landed on us and fluttered in the solarium as well as the baby sloth Lila (who is leaving this week for Nova Scotia). So, a very full day. We were again met by the working girl and this time stopped at a Lebanese bakery near her abode for a delicious supper. 

Thursday we headed to the Canadian Aviation Museum and when I googled the route...1 hr 27min bus ride with a couple of transfers each way didn't appeal so...we summoned an Uber and were efficiently delivered by James (from South Sudan, moved to Canada as a teenager) to the front steps. The museum is a fantastic place, large, covers from the Silver Dart to the Space Station, lots of old fly guys wandering around to answer questions and chat about the planes, a scavenger hunt paper which entitles the youngsters to a prize upon completion (the postcards and temporary tattoos were a hit) very interactive displays and the ability to sit in a cockpit cannot be underestimated. I particularly enjoyed the northern exhibits and airplanes which we were familiar with in the mid 70s in Goose Bay while living on the base. It was a full day which ended only with the closing of the museum. We summoned an Uber and were surprised to find a female driver (originally from Thailand) who expertly deposited us at the house. Our hostess was delayed at work with a social obligation (schmoozefest) and so we found our supper and I attempted to keep the grandson from bugging the roommates as he felt they were his contemporaries. And I must say...they were unfailingly attentive to him...playing exploding kittens, making him origami cranes, allowing him to 'help' with puzzles etc.  

By Friday morning we were in need of some downtime and although we'd planned a walk to the Filipino Bakery around the corner...we were actually relieved when it began to rain. We spent a quiet morning sleeping in and reading in our pyjamas. I had arranged an engagement in the afternoon and since the working daughter was detained, the grandson stayed with the unemployed roommate until she arrived

Flying Squirrel

and I Ubered to my appointment with an Iraqi driver who was the proudest, most patriotic Canadian I've ever met. Daughter and grandson picked me up and we headed to the.....Flying Squirrel which is a huge trampoline, foam pit, basketball, dodgeball etc. centre. We dropped the grandson off to play him out and headed to a nearby Michael's craft store where we shopped for yarn, a gift box for the afghan I managed to complete for the Cuban son-in-law (he'll surely need it when he arrives) and some books. Headed back to retrieve the lad and he was worn out (our goal) and playing with the local kids who were regulars. A few minutes and some photos later and we were off to source some supper after deciding on Vietnamese we opted to return to the restaurant we'd visited on Valentine's Day and were (again) not disappointed. Even the grandson was impressed and he's just getting into trying different foods. As he explained to us, when discussing KFC, Subway, McDonalds etc "that's my culture" which sort of sums it up. 

Armadillo

Saturday morning we were on track for our excursion as we'd saved our visit to Little Ray's Reptile Zoo for the weekend so the working girl could accompany us. Although it's relocating, at present the building is smallish and we squeezed into one of the last parking spots with the place filled with families - two large birthday parties ongoing. The staff are really upbeat, patient and there are lots of jokes and smiles (always a sign of a great place to work) with crowds of kids volunteering. Apparently they involve lots of

Snake feeding 

special needs children in their programs, what a great idea! My daughter and I watched a young fellow with three girls accompanying him, one of the girls was holding a broom and said to the lad "no, you need to sweep, you haven't done any work all morning and we've been doing it all" to which he explained that he was their mentor. This didn't impress and holding out the broom she said "nope, it's your turn and you best get busy" while the other girls silently looked on. I turned away so my smile wouldn't be obvious and waited...it took a few minutes but....he swept. I'd hire those gals. There were feeding and petting demonstrations, lots of environmental, geographic and biology education shared and discussions re: protestors as in "we put a water dish in the cage with these desert lizards although they don't drink it, they get their water from their vegetables but it prevents someone taking a photo and posting it on social media to prove we're cruel to animals". People, if you're looking for a cause, at least educate yourselves! The animals at this facility are rescued and not able to be released to the wild. We investigated the summer camps for the grandson as he could attend while visiting his working auntie. A quick browse of the gift shop and after a stop in a plant nursery, we were off to have a late lunch/early supper or lupper. The grandson had requested Mexican food and so we made our way to the Glebe section of the city - lots of ethnic eateries here and enjoyed Feleema's. It was a funky restaurant with great waitstaff. My doblados, refried beans and margarita were delicious. A quiet evening of card games and packing and we were ready for departure. 

Sunday saw us up and off to the airport (only 7 minutes from the daughter's place) in good time and when I commented on how brave the grandson was being, he said "I'm holding my tears in" as we headed towards security. I used my AIr Canada voucher for booster juices which pleased my travel buddy as we waited. The flight was slightly delayed as the plane required cleaning after someone was sick. It became apparent the reason was more likely motion sickness than a belly bug as we made our way home with turbulence almost from takeoff, no inflight service, flight attendants bouncing off the seats as they ensured seatbelts were fastened, apologies from the flight deck and an intense landing with lots of crosswinds. On the ground, shuttle and located the car in Park n Fly and on the road in good time. Dropped the grandson off and home in time for supper. Later that night his mother messaged that she'd found him upset and weepy saying he missed his auntie. Likely overtired but also missing her. 

Sunny but chilly here this week allowing for laundry on the line, collecting refundables from the roadside on the walk to the mailbox and yardwork being accomplished by the shore captain. I enjoyed a visit with a friend who is arranging a new life for herself - I love happy endings. Also had a chat with another previous travel buddy who had (on the way to visit family) slipped, fracturing her wrist and was now awaiting another orthopedic appointment in a neighbouring province to see if surgical pinning would be required. You know your healthcare system is in crises when you're relieved to be treated out of province. A Frenchy's shop always lifts the spirits as socializing and anticipation of good finds are enough to improve ones mood. 

I'm awaiting the travel booking for my homecare contract in Pond Inlet which is approaching on May 17th and the next adventure. Looking forward to a new community and hopefully summer upon return.