Time. Truly if I was to suggest a word for the effect the pandemic has had on me, I would say that it is time. I have more time. To read, to watch Netflix, to get to the cottage, to be at home. I love my life, both pre and during COVID, don't get me wrong. Pre-C, I had a sense that I was busy, but I didn't realize how busy I was. Does that make sense? The real estate work will probably always be more-than-full-time, but I love it and being a workaholic will likely never change. But it was the endless meetings for the volunteer work that I do, many in the evenings, that really filled up my time. I really like being home at night. There. I said it! I like Zoom meetings. I am not saying that every meeting has to be by Zoom, but 1 in 4? I agree that it makes sense to meet in person from time-to-time because relationships are built in these meetings. But a good Zoom meeting is often shorter - people are direct, don't talk over each other, listen carefully, consensus is built and decisions get made. It has been a marvel to behold! We even hosted the Chartwell Maple Grove Residents Association Annual General Meeting over Zoom. It was fantastic! We could have been tele-conferencing before this but we didn't. Now I 'see' my Dancing Queens on Zoom which truly makes up for the distance (they are all in BC). I have to work on getting my beloved soon-to-be-95 year old Auntie Mary Lou on Zoom. My New Year's resolution ;).

With the extra time, I have read some wonderful books. Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking To Strangers" is top on my list of 'made-you-think' books. Highly recommend. "Great Village" by Mary Rose Donnelly was a book that made me chuckle, not just once but many times. It is a quiet book with wry observations to consider and to remember. "Ninja Selling" reinforced many of the concepts I hold dear. You need these reminders every once in awhile. I also read "The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, as I loved "Handmaid's Tale". And cookbooks, lots of cookbooks. I love Ina Garten. We are partially vegan here in my house (my daughter is, I am not) so there is lots of experimenting with new vegan recipes. Mine is always an eclectic mix of books. I have a huge pile to read yet - both Book Groups continue to meet via Zoom. I am looking forward to "White Fragility" in the coming weeks. If you haven't tried Audible I would also recommend listening to a book being read. This is particularly enjoyable on long distances or at night when you can't sleep. I loved my drives to Lake Erie as I could listen to a book.

It has been a good year at work - lots to do. There were really only a couple of weeks in March where I hung around in my pajamas wondering what was going to happen. It is marvelous to participate in the changes people are making to their lifestyles. We have clients who are moving to Ottawa, PEI, Niagara, and everywhere in between. The pandemic and the corresponding work-from-home order has truly opened eyes in terms of employees being productive at home. We can do good work without going to an office. As a Realtor, I worked from home a lot before COVID, but I always felt guilty about it. Now, everyone is working from home and there is no guilt attached. A page has turned and this opens a lot of doors for a different work model. I see this as particularly benefiting working mothers and I for one welcome this shift. It has been a long time coming.

The TV does not get turned on during the day, but in the evenings and on weekends, I have enjoyed Netflix, Crave, Amazon, CBC Gem. Not much regular TV these days except for the news. Here are the shows I have enjoyed in these last months. I am very happy to get your recommendations as well. Please share your favourites. Succession, Queen's Gambit, The Crown, My Next Guest with David Letterman, Away, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Great British Menu, Dead to Me, My Octopus Teacher, Sex Education, Rake, are some of mine. There is a huge long list yet to fulfill, including The Undoing and Hillbilly Elegy.

This Christmas will be unique. As with all of you, the 30+ Robertson Family will not be getting together for Christmas Dinner as we have done for all of my life. This will be a first. Andrew, Sarah, Joanna and I have decided not to even have a turkey. It will be a relaxing day of treats, appetizers, opening of gifts, a board game or two. I am looking forward to it. Embrace the change I say!