Hellooooo 2022

If I were counting....which Blogspot is apparently...this is post number 800! Imagine that. Who would've thought such a milestone would be reached, especially since I've been very sparse in my updates. Here we are welcoming in a new year, marking the second anniversary of a global pandemic and struggling with a major outbreak of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. 2021 was an intense year for our family with fantastic outcomes during challenging times so glad that's behind us. 

Considering the title of 'retirement planning' and that I am actually receiving and spending pensions as a senior....it would be reasonable to conclude that retirement is imminent. Is it? I have given myself a final contract to see if I am ready to wrap up a 45 year nursing career. And you know....just before the holidays when I signed my CSA (contract) to do six weeks of Public Health Nurse in Arctic Bay......I was as excited as ten years ago when I agreed to the first Nunavut gig. I've even caught myself musing that if all goes 

7 hrs flying time from NS

well, I might consider a spring contract to actually see the community in the daylight. I received a lovely email from the boss warmly welcoming me to the team and it supported all the positives I've heard regarding the longest serving nurse in charge with GN. It will be a busy time as there will be lots of vaccinations to do, there are almost 200 active cases of the virus in Nunavut (although as of today none in Arctic Bay), the communities are in lockdown with travel restrictions, no gathering and no school. I do not believe in regrets, only lessons and I suspect that there are some to be learned walking into this healthcare storm. Oh well, not ready to give it up just yet. And my goal this year is to finish on a high note after last winter's disappointing debacle with interpersonal/professional angst. That was not the way I want to end a 4.5 decade career. 

It will never be the work that causes me to do more than just plan to retire, but actually walk away....it will be the packing/travel. Especially in these times of cancelled flights and reduced schedules, difficulty sourcing food on the commute, N95 masks and risk of exposures along the way. I did my grocery shopping on Thursday and have over the past few days managed to organize my

$300 right here

knapsack and two rolling duffels full of cold weather gear, food and

Stuffed into LLBean bags

clothes. The shore captain stood on the scales with the bags and I still have 10 pounds remaining so lots of wiggle room. Over the years I have become more specific in what I schlep north....less clothes, specific foods, walking poles, kamiks, down filled throw, warm socks, ebooks on my phone, earbuds, my journal, UV light, a crochet project or two. My minimalist life for six weeks is remarkably freeing. Of course it is much more fun to pack the backpack for a couple of months in Cuba but....again this year, it is not to be. 

In the run up to planned absence, I fitted in appointments to physio/prolotherapy to sort out my back/shoulder ahhh, regular dental checkup (no I'll wait until next year to have those 'routine' expensive xrays) and a Dr appointment to meet our new family physician who I'd only had a phone appointment with. An over qualified GP, previously an orthopaedic surgeon/professor in Nigeria, he was thorough, personable and not likely to stay long term as he shared his wife is requalifying as a dentist and was a professor previously as well. So, although we need dentists in our area....professors are located in the city. We discussed my routine bloodwork and I was shocked to find my cholesterol/triglycerides were moderately elevated. We reviewed diet and I assured him that I have already made lots of health healthy choices over the years as in using olive oil, not much red meat, fry very little, lots of veggies, very little processed foods or snacks. I promised to shop more carefully for dairy and he said "I think you need an air fryer" :) I indignantly protested that my husband is someone who eats large bags of chips in his recliner and loves all kinds of junk food, loves bacon and eggs daily, must have gravy on everything, protests against low fat milk, and his bloodwork was ok? His physician confidentiality was good as he refused to discuss hubby's results but he could use an update on feminist language when he said "well you do the cooking" hmmm.  He of course had questioned me on family hx (yes strong cardiac history) reminded me of my hypertension and said "you can't walk away from your genes" so we agreed that I'd do the dietary changes and reassess in six months. Imparted more urgency to the northern grocery provisioning as low sodium, low cholesterol/saturated fat foods are not the north of 60 norm. Flaxseed meal, whey powder, low fat snacks (Swedish berries have 0 fat) and a slight tweaking of the grocery list with lots of label reading made the outfitting even more drawn out. It's just the initial changes that take some time, and of course factoring in that I will likely be restricted from shopping the first two weeks as there is a 14 days self isolation requirement for those without covid booster shots. I had my third dose of Pfizer on December 30th but it will only be eight days upon arrival in territory....we shall see. Worse things than not being able to go to the Northern Store. 

Although the increasing cases and thus restrictions in our province have limited some of our activities....we enjoyed the holidays. Last Christmas was a very uncertain time with a grandson on the liver transplant list and his auntie being assessed as a donor. This year brought a very well, active toddler who was excited to open gifts and into everything. The youngest granddaughter was impressed with the lights and activity and even investigated a few packages. What a difference a year makes. We enjoyed a quiet New Years Eve at home, fired up the sauna and then watched a Netflix movie (Escape from Pretoria) which was well done. Managed to hear some fireworks at midnight from the neighbouring community and drifted off to 2022...ahhh

Have been reading lots of great books....thanks in large part to the Friends & Fiction group with suggestions, author interviews etc. I'm reading Not a Happy Family at present....very good. For the debut author category of the F&F challenge I just finished The Kindest Lie which was a great read dealing with several tough subjects. The House on Vesper Sands (although highly recommended) was just ok in my opinion but it was sort of a fantasy and not really my genre. The Nanny was a great thriller and The Girl with the Louding Voice was a wonderful book set in Nigeria. I really enjoyed Call Your Daughter Home as it was a southern historical novel. So many great books all waiting to be read. Oh and if you're wondering about something to watch on Netflix....don't miss The Unforgivable....Sandra Bullock's best work. I took in Belfast at the theatre as well and it'll likely make its way to home screens soon - highly recommend it. 

I have been filling the fridge and freezer with food and it will be a while before the life partner has to cook for himself. Tomorrow I must un-Christmas the house. It is a bit earlier than I'd really like to but....if I don't want to see it in February it is time. Plan is for the youngest grandchild to visit.....Violet will change the most of the five of them before I see her again. Until February.....stay well