Today I return home from Ottawa to my home.. Regina Saskatchewan. Lots happened while I was away. I spent the last 16 days primarily with my ailing mother. I was very glad to see her discharged from Ottawa Hospital's Civic Campus a week ago. Her condition seems to have stabilized. I only hope we have a chance to celebrate a significant birthday next summer. But who knows what will happen.
As indicated in an earlier post I was able to do business while in Ottawa. While here I added to my client base. I have up to 2 new Ottawa-resident clients and my first client resident in Manitoba. Next tax season I will have clients in all provinces other than in Atlantic Canada. I am quite pleased with adding a new province to my 'repertoire' of client locations.
I was also able to sell several cash calendars for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
I look forward (despite temperatures being 25 degrees colder) being back in Regina.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday Blogging in Ottawa
My parent is back at her nursing home. Seems to be feeling better all the time....
Have been able to work on some tax / bookkeeping stuff while here. Had an important discussion with a corporate client last week. Have prepared the client's first ever payroll. Quite an educational/learning experience.
Also met a new personal income tax client last evening in Ottawa. For next several days will be having a meal with different clients who have become friends. In my kind of operation this is a frequent happening. Earlier this week had a nice meal with a fascinating couple who I first met on facebook.
Weather here in Ottawa has been quite pleasant for the first half of November. On the other hand lots of snow and wind in home base in Regina.
We selected this weekend to be in Ottawa as we have been invited to a wedding of a young couple we got to know very well this past year. Regrettably my spouse is not joining me in Ottawa after all.
Have been able to work on some tax / bookkeeping stuff while here. Had an important discussion with a corporate client last week. Have prepared the client's first ever payroll. Quite an educational/learning experience.
Also met a new personal income tax client last evening in Ottawa. For next several days will be having a meal with different clients who have become friends. In my kind of operation this is a frequent happening. Earlier this week had a nice meal with a fascinating couple who I first met on facebook.
Weather here in Ottawa has been quite pleasant for the first half of November. On the other hand lots of snow and wind in home base in Regina.
We selected this weekend to be in Ottawa as we have been invited to a wedding of a young couple we got to know very well this past year. Regrettably my spouse is not joining me in Ottawa after all.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Ottawa Musings
Have been in Ottawa now for a week. Things seem to be turning around for parent who may be able to go home this week.
Had a wonderfully mixed day on Saturday. Early in the day saw a tweet from Elizabeth May - leader of Canada's Green Party - about a 4 PM debate with Ezra Levant. Thought it would be great to attend as the subject matter was our oil sands.
Regrettably found out that the debate was part of a conference. Admission to the session that included the debate was $37. Opted not to spend that kind of money (which I don't really have). Instead spent time with a client who is also a friend in Ottawa. That client also connected me with another person who may become a client of my income tax preparation business.
Later on last night saw a neighbour who I had grown up with in the 1950's and 1960's whom I had not seen for 40 years. A wonderful time of reminiscing and catching up on 40 years. She had come to Ottawa to visit my parent. It was really great seeing this woman (including meeting her adult child).
Today I am to see a person who was a neighbour of our last residence in Ottawa
Had a wonderfully mixed day on Saturday. Early in the day saw a tweet from Elizabeth May - leader of Canada's Green Party - about a 4 PM debate with Ezra Levant. Thought it would be great to attend as the subject matter was our oil sands.
Regrettably found out that the debate was part of a conference. Admission to the session that included the debate was $37. Opted not to spend that kind of money (which I don't really have). Instead spent time with a client who is also a friend in Ottawa. That client also connected me with another person who may become a client of my income tax preparation business.
Later on last night saw a neighbour who I had grown up with in the 1950's and 1960's whom I had not seen for 40 years. A wonderful time of reminiscing and catching up on 40 years. She had come to Ottawa to visit my parent. It was really great seeing this woman (including meeting her adult child).
Today I am to see a person who was a neighbour of our last residence in Ottawa
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Variety of Stuff
Spending my fifth day here in Ottawa.... parent's condition is stable....filial duties are important in one's life and I have welcomed the opportunity to perform them.
I have also been 'touched' by many comments both on facebook and elsewhere wishing us well in this current medical challenges.
Have also been able to carry on my out of season bookkeeping work even though away from home base. Have also sold some cash calendars for the Canadian Mental Health Association (Sask. Division).
Two people in particular have been most helpfulf. One has hosted me the last several nighs. The other picked me up at the airport and brought me to the hospital when I arrived. This person has also expressed regular interest in helping out.
Had wonderful vegetable stir fry at friend (and client 's) place last night.
I have also been 'touched' by many comments both on facebook and elsewhere wishing us well in this current medical challenges.
Have also been able to carry on my out of season bookkeeping work even though away from home base. Have also sold some cash calendars for the Canadian Mental Health Association (Sask. Division).
Two people in particular have been most helpfulf. One has hosted me the last several nighs. The other picked me up at the airport and brought me to the hospital when I arrived. This person has also expressed regular interest in helping out.
Had wonderful vegetable stir fry at friend (and client 's) place last night.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
the important issues in life
Well in a lifetime one always has challenges to overcome. Some are minor in nature some are much more significant.
Having a parent approach the 'end of life' condition is always a 'pain' to observe. One feels bad when one seees a role model become a shadow of a previous self. One recalls the wonderful times/conversations/experiences etc. one has had with a parent. Our parents teach us so much about life not only in an 'intellectual sense' but also a spiritual or moral sense.
Some of you know that tomorrow - November 7 - I am travelling to be with an aging parent who is hospital with pneumonia. The attending physician has asked that I be physically closer to this aging parent. It's trite to say that I have known this parent for all my life (isn't that true of all of us). But when you think of it, your relationship with a parent is the first relationship any of us had. True a relationship may change in nature over the years. But a parent or guardian is such a foundation relationship that we all have.
Those of you who know me will know I tend to be social activist. I have been active in political organizations, human rights groups, public safety organizations, multifaith groups, synagogues etc. Involvement in groups tends to be in my 'DNA'. And we all know where we get our DNA. The parent with whom I hope to be spending time with in the next few days is the source of my 'DNA' in terms of social activism. I hope to be able to 'handle' the next few days with the same level of 'straight forwardness' that I know this parent would have handled it and want me to handle it.
You know about an hour ago I received a SMS message from our grown daughter. Very short and to the point. "Family is all that matters"
Not a truer statement than that....
Having a parent approach the 'end of life' condition is always a 'pain' to observe. One feels bad when one seees a role model become a shadow of a previous self. One recalls the wonderful times/conversations/experiences etc. one has had with a parent. Our parents teach us so much about life not only in an 'intellectual sense' but also a spiritual or moral sense.
Some of you know that tomorrow - November 7 - I am travelling to be with an aging parent who is hospital with pneumonia. The attending physician has asked that I be physically closer to this aging parent. It's trite to say that I have known this parent for all my life (isn't that true of all of us). But when you think of it, your relationship with a parent is the first relationship any of us had. True a relationship may change in nature over the years. But a parent or guardian is such a foundation relationship that we all have.
Those of you who know me will know I tend to be social activist. I have been active in political organizations, human rights groups, public safety organizations, multifaith groups, synagogues etc. Involvement in groups tends to be in my 'DNA'. And we all know where we get our DNA. The parent with whom I hope to be spending time with in the next few days is the source of my 'DNA' in terms of social activism. I hope to be able to 'handle' the next few days with the same level of 'straight forwardness' that I know this parent would have handled it and want me to handle it.
You know about an hour ago I received a SMS message from our grown daughter. Very short and to the point. "Family is all that matters"
Not a truer statement than that....
Friday, November 5, 2010
Varia
Gee lots of stuff going on but sometimes too busy to post....
Got a new corporate client who has asked me to do just about all their bookkeeping duties... will be an opportunity to get more experience in the inner workings of a small incorporation. Should also help with cash flow in my really 'seasonal' business during the 'off season;.
My second foot injury is almost competely healed. Re-starting my newspaper carrier job in three days.. but at a much reduced level than before. (I was glad to miss the brief winter interlude of ten days ago but that interlude has made me rethink how much I should be doing this type of job given my history in 2010 - the year of the falls and injuries).
We have had a fascinating week in federal politics in Canada. Heard a media report that Wall and Harper had a faceoff and Harper blinked. Our federal authorities also stopped a mining project in British Columbia to prevent environmental damage. What is happening? Maybe our 'hard right' government realizes they cannot win any more by acting as ideologues. Hoping that they are trying to slowly move back to the centre may be wishful thinking for anyone given the history of the 'leader' and other 'big guns' in that gang but who knows what will happen.
The past few weeks have been very busy with 'grandchildren' duties. We can confirm that looking after a 10 month old gentleman is one of the busiest most exhausting duties one can have. Gee he's always keeping us on our toes.. cute but a bundle.....
Enjoying continuing warm weather here on the Prairies... Forecast is 18 today.
Got a new corporate client who has asked me to do just about all their bookkeeping duties... will be an opportunity to get more experience in the inner workings of a small incorporation. Should also help with cash flow in my really 'seasonal' business during the 'off season;.
My second foot injury is almost competely healed. Re-starting my newspaper carrier job in three days.. but at a much reduced level than before. (I was glad to miss the brief winter interlude of ten days ago but that interlude has made me rethink how much I should be doing this type of job given my history in 2010 - the year of the falls and injuries).
We have had a fascinating week in federal politics in Canada. Heard a media report that Wall and Harper had a faceoff and Harper blinked. Our federal authorities also stopped a mining project in British Columbia to prevent environmental damage. What is happening? Maybe our 'hard right' government realizes they cannot win any more by acting as ideologues. Hoping that they are trying to slowly move back to the centre may be wishful thinking for anyone given the history of the 'leader' and other 'big guns' in that gang but who knows what will happen.
The past few weeks have been very busy with 'grandchildren' duties. We can confirm that looking after a 10 month old gentleman is one of the busiest most exhausting duties one can have. Gee he's always keeping us on our toes.. cute but a bundle.....
Enjoying continuing warm weather here on the Prairies... Forecast is 18 today.
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