Red Cross AGM

Met Diane at Weir and we went to Dairy Queen for grilled chicken burgers. Remembered to ask for a bun without sesame seeds.

Rum gave me a Starbucks card so that will be my first stop tomorrow morning. I registered it online - you get syrup and milk options for on the house, brewed coffee refills at no charge and a complimentary Tall beverage with whole bean purchases.

Georgina and I went to the Red Cross Volunteer Recognition Awards/Regional AGM at the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre in Burnaby. What a lovely venue for a meeting! It is always heartening to see so many young people being recognized for their volunteer work. The future is in good hands.

Maiclaire Bolton was the speaker. She is the head of Seismic Safety in the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program and gave one of the best presentations I've ever seen on Earthquakes in B.C.:

Maiclaire has an M.Sc. in Earthquake Seismology from the University of Victoria, and has previously worked with the Geological Survey of Canada and the International Seismological Centre in England. Now acting as a liaison between the scientific and emergency management communities, she aims to translate science into practice for emergency management. She will speak to the real threat of a major earthquake in British Columbia and help us prepare to be self-sufficient during a disaster.

Road trip tomorrow - down to La Conner to see flowers!

Ultrasound

I mentioned some pain in my left calf on Thursday so today I had an ultrasound at the Cancer Agency. No long waiting lists when you have cancer!

Chris and Pru took me to The Boathouse Restaurant in Richmond for my birthday tonight. I am spreading it out! Shrimpfest is on right now and I had Wild Halibut Topped with Key Lime Tiger Shrimp and a Martini. Excellent!

We mentioned that it was my birthday and Chris's is tomorrow. We both got desserts with sparklers - we let Pru share a bit of both. Chris got the White & Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake with raspberry puree & whipped cream and mine was Mocha Ice Cream Pie with chocolate ganache sauce & maple almonds.

Chris gave me a neat book called Defining Moments in Books: The Greatest Books, Writers, Characters, Passages and Events that Shook the Literary World. I am going to be many hours enjoying it.

Long Day

Monday was a long day. I met Georgina at Milestone's by Brentwood Mall for lunch and then shopped at Lougheed Mall - bought nothing.

Not enough time to go home before the Status of Women meeting at VESTA, so I arrived at 3:00 and just visited and did some work on my laptop.

Our meeting was interesting - as always. We feel pretty good that we were discussing Bountiful years ago.

Pru cooked dinner just for me tonight. We had wine, short ribs and chocolate pie. Can't get much better than that. Also gave me a Texas coffee mug and a bottle of Tequila from Mexico. mmmm.

Tumour Markers

Dr. Gelmon just left a message to say the the blood tests have come back and my tumour markers have dropped. This means that the treatment is working!
CA: 15-3: 310 to 150
CEA: 39 to 21.

Birthday Brunch

I love spreading my birthday over many days. I picked up Sharron Sunday morning and we went to Matt's for brunch - pancakes and Bon Ton cake! I stayed to talk to Andrea and play with Sadie while Matt took Sharron home.

I am feeling well but am tired of the eczema (I must remember this word for Scrabulous).

BCTLA Meetings

I was at the Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre on Broadway today from 8:30 to 5:00 for 3 BCTLA meetings - Spring Council, AGM and the rest of our Executive meeting.

One of the best meetings we have had because of the format and venue. A new award for Teacher-Librarians is being created called the Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. Humbling.

Stopped at Granville Island for groceries and was home by 6:00.

My headache woke me up at 2:00 but I went back to sleep after taking a Tylenol and was feeling quite good today. My stamina continues to surprise me.

Clip of the day:
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/church-floor-collapse/#clip49001

BCTLA Executive

Today was long. I went shopping at COSTCO and Richmond Centre this morning. Actually bought some Christmas presents.

Went to the Vancouver School Board at 5:45 for a BCTLA Executive meeting. Drove Karen to her hotel and arrived homee at 10:25. Couldn't play Scrabulous during the meeting since the VSB blocks it. They also block the new BC Literacy Forum at the Ministry of Education that I have a page on. Moira sent an email asking that they reverse that.

Right now I have a bit of a headache that started about 4:00. Tylenol and sleep should take care of it.

Discombobulated

A really discombobulated day!

I picked up Mae and went to the Cancer Agency. I had my blood tests and an EKG at 9:00.

Relaxation was perfect!

Remembered to bring all my pill bottles and packages but forgot the daily diary! Stopped at the new Starbucks on Oak Street & 67th Avenue for a latte & snack.

Stayed home for about an hour and then back to the Agency.

Saw the Trial Nurse and my Oncologist at 2:00. The blood tests that were back looked good and the physical exam was pretty good. I will have to have a scan on my leg to make sure the pain I've developed in the left calf isn't anything serious.

I'll have a CT-Scan in another month to see if the drugs are having an effect. I also have tumour markers this time and they are following those as well. I had to wait about 1/2 hour for my prescriptions to be filled.

On the way home I thought I'd show that I think that this treatment is going to work and bought 2 pairs of shoes at Kintec Footlabs. Since I bought my orthotics I get a 10% discount. The more expensive pair was my 5th purchase, so it was 25% off!

After stops at Granville Island and London Drugs, I was glad to get home.

I had lasagna and asparagus for dinner and managed to blow the fuse in the kitchen. Luckily Nancy had extras since the freezer was on that circuit. A perfect ending to an odd day!

59 and Counting

Today I passed my father's age of 58. His father was 46. I hope I will be more like the others in the family who lived much longer.

I met Pru in a house she helped build and I took some photos. She took me to Asa's Sushi in Kerrisdale for lunch.

Dunbar & 37th

Cousin Daphne in Ontario thought I should have a White Spot hamburger for dinner so I did. Dessert (cheesecake) was free since it was my birthday.

Tonight I went out with Pru and some of her friends. I share a birthday with Judy.
I'll be at the Cancer Agency most of tomorrow.

Now this was a bad day!

Spring Again

Didn't sleep well last night. I awake for a couple of hours but did go back to sleep until 8:00.

Went for an Earth Day walk along the dike in Richmond, across from YVR and took some pictures.

Too much to watch tonight: Blue Jays, Washington losing, Calgary losing, Mariners winning and Hilary sort of winning. I'll end with Boston Legal.

Monday

Just watching the rioting in Montreal. Imagine what would have happened if the Habs had lost!

Stayed in today and caught up on TV shows I taped last week. Also updated several pages of the BCTLA web site.

Met Louise, Wanda and Katherine at the Cactus Club for dinner and then we went to the Lesbian/Bisexual Support Group at the Cancer Agency.

I am still feeling pretty good. I can walk without cramping up and have a good appetite. My ribs are bothering me a bit but it might just be the skin thing.

Tax Day

Mel and the kids came to clean and do my laundry this morning.

I finally took the plunge and did my tax return & Sharron's.

Snow in April

Moira called at 9:45 last night to tell me to look out the window. There were already a couple of inches of snow on my balcony railing.

I went for a drive to photograph the blossoms in the snow. They looked confused!

Picassa Album

Also went to the library for "Cancer Wars: How Politics Shapes What We Know & Don't Know about Cancer" and to Safeway for groceries & Nexium refill.


Moira and I met tonight for dinner at the White Spot.

Blizzard

I had breakfast with Margaret and Jo. Margaret was in Harrison to do Health and Safety training for the BCTF Zone Meetings.

We sat in the pools for over an hour in the midst of a blizzard. It was a "winter wonderland". At times the hills were obscured by mist and snow.

Harrison took $10 off my bill for the food that was frozen in my little bar fridge. I was able to delay check-out until noon so enjoyed the morning.

Went back to The Farm House to replace the frozen cheese. Using my Circle Farm Tour pamphlet for Agassiz-Harrison Mills, I found Limbert Mountain Farm (Organically Grown Herbs & Specialty Foods). I bought several things. Then to Canadian Hazelnut.

I missed the turn for Tulips of the Valley so continued to Hope, enjoying the amazing snow covered mountains along the way. Apparently the tulips will be much better next week.

Had to stop at the Chilliwack airport for lunch at about 2:00 so will just have a bagel for dinner tonight.

Home by 5:00. Driving was fine. No more snow and just intermittent rain. I am stiff but should sleep that off.

Harrison - Day Three

Another lazy day. I had enough of a headache to take a Tylenol. It worked quite quickly. Today I remembered to take my pills on time. Not easy when I am out of my routine. A mark of age or a lack of estrogen (according to my nurse).

Buffet breakfast again. I had to throw out my fridge food as it was all frozen solid. It was too late to complain so I'll tell them when I check out.

Stayed in the lobby most of the day and should finish the Bountiful book tonight.

Dinner was in the bar - Caesar salad with chicken in a parmesan bowl & Creme Brule. Washed down with Martinis. I love not driving.

Scrabulous was down this afternoon but is working again. I am now playing with Pru in Texas - the internet can be magical.

There is a BCTF Zone meeting here this weekend and I've run into a few familiar faces - Peter, Jo & Margaret.

Harrison - Day Two

It is so nice to have a couple of days here when I don't have to drive anywhere to enjoy myself.

I've been in the pool twice and will probably go in again after dark (this is why I have 3 bathing suits with me).

Breakfast is included and was a buffet. I brought crackers and oranges with me for lunch and bought some cheese yesterday. Most things in my little fridge are now frozen!

I've been for a couple of walks down the lake front. The 2nd was to go to the Black Forest Steak & Schnitzel for a scrumptious dinner. My Schnitzel had little onions & mushrooms and was actually pork medallions. I love the Warsteiner beer.

I am back in front of the fire playing Scrabulous and reading. I even wrote 2 annual reports (Web Steward & Archivist) for next week's BCTLA meeting. Who said I couldn't multi-task?

My arthritis is acting up - knees and back. Need to get back in the pool.

Harrison Hot Springs

I was at the Champlain Heights Library at 10:00 this morning to borrow some mystery books on tape. Stopped at Weir for recess. Should have felt bad about leaving on a holiday as they all went back to work, but I didn't!

Lunch at IHOP in Coquitlam as I usually do when driving to Harrison - the next meal will be free. The drive was cloudy and it poured for the last 20 minutes.

Was able to check in at at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort by 2:00 (it is officially 4:00). Put most of my stuff in my room. Checked that there was a bar fridge and headed back to The Farm House for some cheese - I like the Alpine Gold.

Sat in the lobby and read my library book, The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides And Lost Boys In A Polygamous Mormon Sect by Vancouver Sun writer, Daphne Bramham. Afternoon tea was served at 4:00. I had a couple of cups of tea but no coookies or cake. Then into the pool for a soak.

Dinner was 6:30 in the Copper Room. As part of my package, I have one dinner. It is worth $35 of anything on the menu, but there is a set dinner list to choose from if you want (Table d'Hote). I had

• Chicken soup
• Copper Room Salad: Seasonal Greens, Apple Cider Vinaigrette
• Glazed Wild Pacific Salmon with an Orange Chili Glaze
• White & Dark Chocolate Terrine with Tart Raspberry Sauce
• I added a martini - my first drink since August!
  

Of course, being fuzzy with the lack estrogen, I left my bag with my drugs behind in the restaurant instead of taking the pills with the meal. Duh.

The wireless only works on my bed, so I have my laptop on a big footstool in front of the blazing fire in the lobby. I am going to settle back into my book and Scrabulous games.

Life is good!

Las Margaritas

Met Matt at Las Margaritas for lunch and sent him home with some for Andrea.

Beautiful day again today. I think Spring is here.

Having minimal side effects so I am looking forward to leaving on my trip tomorrrow.

Liberty

Met Ildi, Barb & Maeve at Liberty Bakery on Main. Had the Blackbean Soup with lime chili sauce. Mmm.

Drove around in the sunshine to take some photos.

Dropped in to lend Matt my new Buffy Sainte-Marie CD.

Getting ready for little vacation. Will pack tomorrow.

Day of Errands

Took Mae & her dog to Petcetera to have his nails clipped. Had to be creative to actually get to the store at Grandview & Renfrew with all the construction in the intersection.

We dropped the dog off at home and had a late lunch at the Notte's Bon Ton Pastry and Confectionary . Still my favourite pasteries!

Music files

Bought software at Staples this morning - Scrabble, MP3 maker (to reformat files to use on the GPS) and QuickTax. Then to the library and Safeway.

I am now loading several files of music to the GPS gizmo. My brother made me a pile of cassettes of songs from his CDs. They all had a theme - e.g., Johns, water, jazz, bad weather... I had changed them over to digital files and now have them on the GPS as MP3 files. He spent so much time making them, I'd hate to loose them just because we've moved on from cassettes.

Went to Steveston for dinner. The sky was full of amazing clouds at sunset.

Check-up Day

Picked up Mae this morning and went to the Cancer Agency for the Relaxation Group.

Had a blood test first and then saw the nurse in charge of my study. The blood was normal and I knew the answers to all her questions.

Picked up groceries at Granville Island.

Booked 3 nights at Harrison Hot Springs Hotel for next week. I think I deserve a vacation!

Main Getaway PackageGetaway Package for each adult includes:

Room accommodation, Buffet Breakfast each morning and a special four course dinner (Table d'hote menu) one evening in the Copper Room.

Taxes and Gratituties are not included. $5/day for parking.

Room Type: Harrison Hot Springs - Main 1 Bed

1st Night: $152.00 Average:$128.67 Total:$386.00

Polygamy Blues

Enjoyed Douglas Todd's blog, The Search today - an in-depth look at polygamy.

Went to the VBE today. Had lunch at Earl's with Collette and briefly visited Moira's little cubicle.

The sun kept trying to come out so I went for a drive in the afternoon. Love trying to confuse my GPS.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Today I filled out the application form for the Hereditary Cancer Program to have Genetic Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2.

I listed 13 relatives with cancer on the Family History chart!

Roamed around with my GPS today. Visited friends at the Red Cross. I want to start volunteering in Disaster Management again now that I have my energy back.

Had lunch at the Waffle House in New Westminster. I've heard the ads every night on the radio for months and had to find it. Pretty good waffle & excellent bacon.

Picked up my copy of The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in a Polygamous Mormon Sect by Daphne Bramham. Sales should soar with what is happening in Texas.

Must watch Larry King Live tonight:

A shocking look inside the Texas ranch raid! Underage girls -- forced into marriage - having babies. Hundreds of children removed.
Their secret lives revealed tonight at 9 ET.

Stormy Monday

Went out to Richmond this morning and it was like driving through a prairie thunderstorm downpour. By the time I reached London Drugs I was in sunlight.

I'm having a few minor side effects to the drugs, but nothing drastic.

Eldorado Raid

Didn't do much yesterday. Took all day to read the papers. Stayed up too late to finish a Minette Walters book. Picked up some new reserves at the library on the way to dinner at the White Spot with Moira and Philomena.

Glad that Texas has done what BC is too timid to do with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Eldorado. Maybe Wally Oppal will step up now and do the same in Bountiful.

http://vestasw.blogspot.com/
http://vestasw.wikispaces.com/Bountiful

Drizzly day

I feel like the day looks today. Woke up feeling a bit sick & headachy. I guess I'll always be trying to figure out if I am sick or if it is a side effect.

Missed a call from Karen. She wanted me to know that my breast cancer is HER2-Negative. This is a good thing since it means that the hormone treatments are the right way to go.

Bouncing Grill

I knocked over a little plastic thing at about midnight last night when I was washing the dishes. It knocked over something heavier and they both knocked the panini grill off the freezer top. It didn't bounce well.

Today I bought a Hamilton Beach MealMaker Express™ Contact Grill with Interchangeable Grids at London Drugs. I think it will be better than the one I broke.

Tonight I'm meeting Ruby at the Dadeo Diner & Bar that has replaced Tomato's on Cambie.

Sunny Day

I went out early this sunny morning on my photo project. The sunny day was a good opportunity to play with my new GPS toy. Stopped in Tsawwassen at Thrifty Foods for my freezer supply of scones and cinnamon buns.

Went for a walk along the beach at Boundary Bay Regional Park. Longest walk I've been able to take for a while without feeling sick. Took several bird photos.

Back into town and visited friends at Weir for the lunch break.

Then home to watch Margaret Rutherford in an Agatha Christie movie.

Go Canucks

Hope the Canucks keep the momentum going!

Still have some of the cold left, so stayed in again today. Read and put reserves on new books at VPL.

Wrote a letter to Maclean's about the Falun Gong. Objected to the benign description in the article "Butchers and Monsters". Included the link to my Falun Gong blog.

Am now playing 28 Scrabulous games on Facebook.