Game Day

The weather is cloudy and a bit chilly so we stayed in all day playing games.  Many Scrabble games with Jane and then Mexican Train (dominoes) with Jane & Glenn.

Last day tomorrow so I hope the sun comes out.

Loon Lake

Poor weather interfered with satellite yesterday so I could do little on the computer. It drizzled or rained at times during the day but I didn't get wet.

We drove to Ashcroft and had lunch in Cache Creek. Visited Desert Hills Ranch in Ashcroft and picked peaches.

Sat outside for a couple of Scrabble games but it was cooling down so we had to move inside. At least I can play the game now that Scrabulous is off Facebook due to copyright problems. I read that Scrabble is developing game to put on Facebook so I will keep watch for it.

Road Trip

Left at 8 this morning and had brunch at the Chilliwack Airport.

Drove up the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet and then across to Loon Lake and Jane & Glenn's place.

Loon Lake is the long skinny one near the top

We walked up the road to a neighbours for dinner. Played Trivial Pursuit - my team won.

The MAC is in my bedroom with a satellite connection!

More Training

Finished the 2nd day of Red Cross training (9 - 5). Long days but I did enjoy the course and the company.

Stopped at Brentwood and bought some more games for my Nintendo Lite - WordJong, Spanish & Crosswords. I am still doing the daily BrainAge games and fluctuate in my age. I do see an improvement.

Stopped to pick up scones at Matt's that I had asked them to buy for me and stayed for dinner (vegetarian chili - mmm). Lily can stand! Sadie completed a jigsaw of Canada. I don't think I could do that and name many of the provinces & the US at 3! Some of my Grade 5s had trouble.

I think I am all organized for heading off to Loon Lake for the week tomorrow.

Red Cross Training

Breakfast at IHOP & a latte at Starbucks and then had to be at the Red Cross at Lake City by 9:00. Just made it.

Today & tomorrow (9 - 5) is Supervising Disaster Workers Level 2 workshop. Only 11 of us so the group is quite manageable. This is the last course I have to take.

I keep seeing the owner of The Village Toy Shop in Port Moody on the noon news. My GPS took me right there and I bought "stuff" for presents. Went to Sears looking for more games for my Nintendo but it was closing.

Moira called to say they were in White Spot and would wait for me. I let my GPS take me the quickest way (a few new roads), calling as I got close enough to order. Pizza & blueberry pie!

Sam Fillipoff

Life-long peace activist, teacher and COPE campaign volunteer Sam Fillipoff died on July 22 at Vancouver General Hospital after a brief battle with an incurable neurological disease.

Sam was born in 1945 in the Slocan Valley of a Doukohobor family who immigrated to Canada to escape persecution in Czarist Russia for their Tolstoyan traditions of pacificism, nonviolence and communal living. Raised on the family farm, Sam rejected the idea of war and violence and truly lived by the words "Thou shalt not kill."

Sam earned a teacher's degree and for many years taught in inner city Vancouver schools including Grandview School where he focused on the needs of First Nations children. He took his students on educational trips up the BC coast to learn about their heritage and ancestors, and helped create the Grandview community garden project so that children in East Vancouver could learn about sustainability in the urban environment, and have a safe sanctuary for so many who were exposed to abuse and violence. Sam also worked at the BC Teachers Federation where he was the race relations coordinator producing educational material and raising awareness on the need to prevent racism.

Shortly after the COPE majority was elected to City Council in 2002, Sam was invited to join the city's newly formed Peace and Justice Committee where he was a key organizer of the 2006 World Peace Forum. One of the events Sam helped organize as a kick-off for the Peace Forum was the Acts of Transformation: From War Toys to Peace Art where children participated in workshops creating art work made from war toys and violent video games.

Sam is survived by his wife and two daughters, his mother and two sisters.

A celebration of Sam Fillipoff's life will be held at 6:30 pm on Thurs, July 31 at the UBC Longhouse at 1985 West Mall, University of BC.

Donations can be made to Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC, 2266 W 14 Ave, Vancouver V6K 2W1.

(COPE Newsletter)

Bits & Pieces

I did a lot of small stuff today - library, Safeway, laundry, bills...

Met Moira at Applause for dinner. We went next door to Starbucks where we got a free drink with our Starbucks Card: Vivanno™ Nourishing Blends - Chocolate Banana (Freshly prepared with a whole banana, bittersweet cocoa, 2% milk and our own proprietary whey protein & fiber powder and ice).

Randy Pausch just died - an amazing man!

Moderne Burger

Feel a lot better today. Must have been something I ate at lunch.

Met Barbara for lunch at Moderne Burger on Broadway. The only thing on the menu is burgers so it didn't take much thought.

Went shopping in Richmond and was home by 16:00.

Must do my homework tomorrow for the Red Cross training this weekend.

RTA Meeting

Attended a Retired Teachers' Association Executive meeting Wednesday morning. Dropped off a thumb drive with my photos at John's.

Had a headache in the afternoon that just kept coming back after pills wore off. Had a nap in the afternoon and it didn't help much. Went to bed early and finally was sick around midnight. That helped and I slept most of the night.

The Dark Knight

Saw The Dark Knight in IMAX today. Fantastic movie. Ledger will at least get nominated for an Oscar. He was just so creapy and bad.



Took some fresh fruit to Pru from Richmond.

Cancer Group

Stayed up late reading last night and slept until past 10:30 this morning - Suspicious Circumstances by Sandra Ruttan. Started a new book today & couldn't connect so switched to Jean Barman's new one, British Columbia: Spirit of the People.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for our monthly meal: Asparagus, Yam Fries & Crispy Pork Ribs and a bit of red wine to wash it down. Went to our Lesbian Support Group at the Cancer Agency and were pleased to find Katherine there. We had tried to pick her up from VGH palliative but Wanda beat us to it. She is a true inspiration to us all and has less than 2 months to live. I hope I can be half as brave when I reach this point.

Dropped a memory stick of photos for John off at Pru's and visited a while. She is still flat on her back!

Nintendo DS

I know that exercising different parts of the brain is important, especially now I am retired. I still have the BCTLA, Retired Teachers Assoc. & the Red Cross, but it isn't every day. My solution was to buy a Nintnedo DS at Best Buy. The store was selling it for the same price as listed online, including a free copy of Brain Age 2.

Of course I had to buy Tetris. I am still addicted as ever. Pru & I spent hours playing it on the original Nintendo system.

Saturday

Kept thinking it was Sunday all day. Stayed in and rested. I seem to have done a lot this week and needed some down time.

Bob's Day

Picked up my new prescription for the hiatus hernia this morning. I am trying Losec (Omeprazole) instead of Nexium as it is half the strength. I am doing so well we'll try this for a while and then maybe take me off drugs completely.


Caught up on my bills and did some reading.


Met Moira at the White Spot for Pollo Basilico Pizza (A thin crust pizza with our house-made spicy tomato and basil pesto sauce, fresh-roasted BC chicken, sautéed sweet bell peppers, red onions, local mushrooms, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese). There was only 1 piece of blueberry pie left, so we shared.


Enjoyed the Lions game tonight and watched the tribute to Bob Ackles. I want a pin!

Harrison

Tried filling a prescription at Safeway but their computers are down. The pharmacist gave me 1 pill for this morning and I'll pick up the rest tomorrow.

Went on a Circle Farm Tour drive to Harrison. Had brunch at IHOP in Langley. Took the Albion Ferry at Fort Langley. Beautiful little ride but I think I was the only one enjoying it - everyone else was commuting!

Bought some beer at the Mission Springs Brewing Company and then straight to Harrison. Had a relaxing soak in the public pool.

Then to the Farm House Natural Cheeses for some Alpine Gold (a washed curd, washed rind cheese. It has a deliciously smelly golden-orange rind, which gives a distinct flavour to the straw-coloured semi-soft paste) and a small container of Provencal goat cheese. On to Limbert Mountain Farm and the owner let another women and me sample many things. I went away with some of their chocolate (one with hazelnuts and coffee beans and the other was Mojito Mint), Roman Provence Rooibos Tea and a bottle of Rhubarb & Vanilla preserves. We waited for the fresh humus to be bottled and bought it without even waiting for the label. A good thing I had ice in my little cooler!

Stopped at the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop for pie (raspberry/rhubarb) and decided to try a 1/2 Spinach Salad. It was quite large and probably the best I've ever tasted (This is just the best dressing my mother makes. We top off this salad with egg, real bacon bits, cauliflower and fresh mushrooms. Served with garlic toast — Popeye’s here everyday).

Meandered back to Vancouver and stopped at Pru's to share some of my booty.

Study over

A very busy day!

Started out having 6 vials of blood drawn at the Cancer Agency. Hung out reading until 11:00 and then saw my clinical trial nurse. The Anastrozole Plus Lonafarnib (SCH 66336) or Plus Placebo for the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer trial has been suspended worldwide. They still don't know why, but will call me when they get more information. The blind was lifted and I was on the placebo. I had guessed that since I didn't have a lot of side effects.

This means that the anastrozole (Arimidex) is what is working and shrinking the tumours and bringing down the tumour markers. Last week's CT Scan shows that the previous masses are stable or, in the case of the one on the right adrenal gland, no longer measurable.

There is a nodule in my right lung but it hasn't changed so they aren't worried about it. Maybe some old scar tissue. I also have a duplex right kidney. I never claimed to be normal.

No more diary to keep! I will continue on the Arimidex and just have to take one pill in the morning - I had a terrible time remembering to take those evening pills, even if they were in my pocket. I'll still see my oncologist but only when every couple of months for a CT Scan and blood tests.

Rushed to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts to meet Georgina. Called John to have to tell her that I was leaving the parking lot at 12:20 & our reservation was for 12:00. Georgina had a 2 for 1 coupon and it was a fine meal: Butternut Squash Soup, Blanquette of Chicken Breast & White Prawns with Sautéed Pearl Onions and finished with Chocolate Mousse. Bought a couple of chocolate & raspberry treats for Pru & me.

Stopped at Tilley Endurables for a new pair of Crinkled Cotton Women's Drawstring Shorts and then to my GP's. I needed a refill for the Nexium that I take for the Hiatus Hernia. We are going to try a new drug that is half the strength since I am doing so well. He thinks the swelling in my leg was positional edema since the Ultrasound ruled out a blood clot and the CT Scan didn't find any swelling in lymph nodes at the top of the leg. No more long hours of sitting.

Had to go back to get a supply of Arimidex at the Cancer Agency pharmacy. Sat outside to read for a while. On to Max's Bakery & Delicatessen on Oak. Got pesto & shrimp salad for dinner and took one to Pru.

Finally finished reading Swan Peak, the latest James Lee Burke book that I picked up at the library yesterday afternoon so I could deliver it to Pru with the food.

Found parking outside everywhere I went today! A good day all around.

Summer is really here to stay

I love these hot days. Especially when I have fans that actually work.

Took Pru to the doctor and then for an X-Ray today. She is now on enough drugs to relax her back. Went out to Richmond for Cobs bread and fresh vegetables & fruit for both of us.

It is now the 14th inning of the all-star game. They are running out of pitchers.

Cancer Agency appointments tomorrow.

Blackout

Yesterday was certainly an interesting day for Vancouver. I followed the blackout on TV & radio and updated friends involved. In spite of having no power, the Vancouver Sun site had the most information about the big event.

Did some laundry in the morning and read the rest of the day.

Hot Sunday

Slept in until 10 this morning. After reading the papers on the computer, I spent the rest of the day reading on my balcony with my leg up.

Met Moira & Filomena at Applause Japanese Restaurant at 16:30 for a feast. Took a bag to Pru. Her back is still horrible and she can't do much of anything.

I was out of everything since I've been out so much in the last couple of weeks. Stopped at Safeway at 20:15. This is a perfect time to shop on a hot day. The store was cold and nearly empty.

Reunion Ends

Today was the last "family event". Chris treated us to lunch at Boston Pizza. He is taking Patience to Sea-Tac a day early. Her mother-in-law died and she is flying direct to the funeral instead of home. She had been going for a family reunion but was going to Houston first. Michael will collect some clothes and send them on with one of Bob's family.

Patience has made me the most beautiful blanket to help me get better. Chris volunteered to help and ended up doing all frill part! Too bad it is too warm to use tonight.

I took lunch to Pru. Her back is still pretty bad.

Finished installing the new USB record player and it works! I listened to the Nylons for the first time in decades.

Ben has a 2nd daughter in Seattle yesterday:
McKinley Harper Charlton(a girl:))was born 7/11/08 at 4:35pm. Healthy 7 lbs, 14 oz, 20 inches and mom is doing great!!!

Music system gone!

Matt came this morning and we repacked the broken Memorex system to ship back to the Bay. I could never have carried it down the stairs.

I'll never buy anything mailorder from the Bay again. We couldn't just take it to the store, like COSTCO lets you, but had to actually mail it. They say they'll repay the $30 shipping cost.

Matt helped set up my new record player but I needed to go to Circuit City for an adapter as I didn't have enough USB ports. They are selling the same record player so it must be a good make.

Took groceries to Pru and Jesse made us crepes with an amazing raspberry sauce made from the fresh berries I'd brought.

Spent the afternoon reading the paper and The Man Who Loved China - an amazing book by Simon Winchester, one of my favourite non-fiction authors. Kept my leg elevated so the ankle didn't swell too much today.

Ultrasound

Mae had a cancellation so I went to her for Therapeutic Touch at the Cancer Agency at 14:00.

Went through the tunnels to the Jimmy Pattison Pavilion and met Louis in the lobby. We visited Katherine in Palliative Care.

Back through the tunnels to the Cancer Agency and an ultrasound on my right leg. It took almost an hour and a doctor came in at the end and they did more on the back of my leg. She said there was no sign of a blood clot.

I didn't get home until nearly 18:00. I was so tired and sore that I decided not to go to John's for dinner.

Bigfoot

Decided not to join the family at the Aquarium as my foot was still a bit swollen this morning. I called my clinical trial nurse and she arranged for me to see my oncologist today.

Went for my CT Scan at 13:30. The tubing came apart so I was showered with the contrast dye. It went in my eye but didn't bother it. I was just sticky!

Saw Karen and she is concerned that I might have a blood clot or it could be a lymph node in my groin. She booked an emergency ultrasound for 16:15 tomorrow afternoon at the Cancer Agency.

Mae came to meet me and took me out for a latte & to shop at London Drugs. I drove her home & then stopped at the liquor store for dinner wine. Had to have a shower to wash off the sticky stuff!

Picked up Jesse & Pru and we went to Chris's for dinner with several of his friends. We have really lucked out with the weather this week.

Family Reunion - Wednesday

My ankle is a bit swollen again tonight and hurts. I am just going to put it up with an icepack.

Triple O's

Got a haircut this morning as it was getting too hot on top. Over to Pru's front porch. Picked up Jan and we then went with Patience and Prudence to the White Spot for our hamburgers. Every member of our family has to do this when visiting.

Family Reunion - Tuesday

Spent the afternoon sitting on the porch and then drove out to the Red Cross for an Instructors' Meeting. Home by 9:30.

My left ankle ballooned up by the end of the meeting. A side effect? I'm supposed to call my trial nurse with anything strange and will do that first thing in the morning. I'm there for a CT Scan anyway in the afternoon.

No Passport!

What an exciting morning! Roxanne could not find her Chinese passport to return to Shanghai this morning. Chris took Dan to the airport for his 12:20 flight and we were going to take care of her until she could get travel documents in about 3 days. We went to the Chinese Consulate on Granville, only to be sent to Broadway. The insisted on seeing all documents she had (it seemed they were worried she was trying to sneak INTO China. While looking she found the elusive passport.

I called Luke and he was on the curb with her bags. While stuck in traffic on Marine Drive we got Dan on the phone. He was on the plane but it was delayed to 13:00. I ran in with Roxy and we got the bag passed in the special gate and I pushed our way to the front of a long line at the boarding gate saying to everyone they were holding her plane. Pru & Jan were relieved to see me come back to the car alone.

After a quick stop at a car shop to have a man punch open the door stuck on a seatbelt, we stocked up on food & wine, renewed the car insurance (Chris kindly had done the Air Care this morning) and we are now home for good. I think I'll drink wine now and sleep on the couch!

The Trip

I missed the excitement early this morning when Mike (from Houston) tripped at the top of Pru's stairs and fell down them into the flower bed. You can still see blood on the boulders he hit and the poor flattened flowers. An ambulance was called and he needed 19 stitches to put the flap back onto his forehead. It was hanging down in front of his eyes! He still left to drive to Sea-Tac tonight.

I picked Jan up at the airport at 13:00 and we went to Pru's where Daniel fed us scrumptious French toast. Pru & I went to Oakridge to renew her ICBC but she needs Air Care so we just got a permit for tomorrow. Lattes helped deal with that frustration.

We all went to Chris's again tonight for the official celebration of Pru's birthday (from last month). If you look at her blowing out the candles you can count them to see how old she is (older than me). Matt brought Andrea and girls - the first time they had ever met any of the family.

Thomas Family Reunion - Sunday

Reunion - Day Two

I found out that I can return my broken Memorex radio/cassette/record player/CD burner that doesn't work. Even if it wasn't broken, it didn't impress me. At least the Bay - Shop at Home was good about it and will pay the postage.

I went to COSTCO and bought the ION USB Turntable Moira told me about.

London Drugs next & I stopped on Steveston Hwy for fresh peas and strawberries.

I was really sore by the time I got home. My hip, knees, shoulder, ribs... have been unhappy the last few days. I blame arthritis but Patience says it is old age. She is now the family matriarch so I guess I have to believe her. Matt is coming to carry the broken system to the post office for me - it weights 16.5 kg! At least the Bay will pay the return postage.

Pru had a birthday party for herself tonight. Most of the family was there, including Matt. Good wine, good food and good company.

Thomas Family Reunion - Saturday

Family Reunion begins

Went to COSTCO & Safeway this morning. Then bought a bunch of CDs on sale at A & B Sound - 50% off! Spent the day reading & cleaning up. Mel came at 16:00 and finished my laundry and cleaned my apartment.

Picked up Pru and we went to dinner at Chris's. Full house with Dan, Jesse, Lucas, David, Patrick, Catherine, John, Patience, Chris & a couple of friends. Hopefully Alana and Janet will come soon.

Thomas Family Reunion

Family time

Picked up Patience this afternoon and took her to Oakridge to try to find a cheap phone for 2 weeks - did not succeed. Picked up wine, flowers & hamburgers to take to Pru's.

Visited with the boys and then Michael showed up from a job he was doing in Washington. Pru's back is still sore as are my hips and knees. Took Patience back to Chris's & was home by 10.

Sea-Tac

Pru couldn't pick up Patience today so I volunteered. Got up early to avoid border line-ups and breezed through at about 8:30.

Decided to meander. Picked up a latte to start. They forgot mine in the queue so I now have a coupon for a freebie and felt good as they were so nice about it. Stopped in old Bellingham (Fairhaven) for a tea and lemon & currant scone to take my morning pills with.

Down the Chuckanut Drive and explored Anacortes. Crossed the bridge at Deception Pass to Whidbey Island. This time I stopped and walked back onto the bridge to take photos. It shakes when large trucks go by!

Stopped in Coupeville for lunch at the Mad Crab - Dungeness Crab Louis salad & chowder. I didn't check a schedule for the Mukilteo ferry but must be living right as I drove up and was on board 10 minutes later. By the time I came out of the bathroom, we were moving.

Drive to Sea-Tac

My GPS took me back to I-5 on a road along the water and into Everett - much quieter than just staying on the road off the ferry. I-5 was busy but I reached Seattle Premium Outlets with no trouble. I exchanged a broken clock radio at Sony's for Chris and had time to do a bit of shopping myself. Filled a bag (reusable) at my favourite store, Harry & David.

Patience's plane was to land at 17:10 and that was when I stepped into the terminal. We met at the baggage claim area. She phoned & I was standing on the other side of the carousel. Both of us were hungry and asked for a restaurant suggestion. Too many cars in the lanes beside me stopped us from getting to the right turn-off so I just kept driving past Seattle. There was a lot of traffic as it was rush hour and there was a Mariners game.

We circled Northgate Mall looking for a restaurant and found the Seattle Crab Co. - grilled (wild) salmon, roasted baby red potatoes, veggies & a loaf of sourdough. Mmmm.

It started pouring while we ate. All the way to Delta it was either raining or drizzling. Not a drop in Vancouver. We saw lots of lightning - sheet and fork. This slowed down the drive a bit. After dropping Patience at Chris's I made it home at about 22:20 - about 650 km.

My arthritis is complaining about all the sitting this week - knees and hips.

Happy Canada Day

Took a Starbucks latte to Pru. Her back is out and she needs TLC. We played cribbage and I was roundly beaten.

I picked up hamburgers for us at the White Spot. They aren't putting strawberry pie on the menu any more!

Chris dropped off a radio for me to exchange for him in the U.S. I am going down to Sea-Tac tomorrow to pick up Patience since Pru can't sit in a car.

Great holiday

Had a perfect little holiday this weekend.

Al and I spent nearly 7 hours consulting on the BCTLA web page in his school lab. We came up with a plan to move forward with and I think both of us were happy with how the day went. We so involved that we never did stop for lunch and left the school at 18:00!

Angie and I had delicious dinner at La Cucina Restorante in Westbank (steak with shrimp & prawns). Angie's family trailer (3 bedrooms) sits in Shady Rest Mobile Home Park on the shore of the Lake Okanagan in Westbank. It was warm enough that we sat by the beach in our shorts until 22:00 watching a fireworks show. A beaver entertained us by swimming slowly by just a couple of feet off shore.

On Sunday we decided to go on a little wine tour. We started at Mission Hill Winery, just above us in Westbank, just to hear the bells at noon. Click here for 56K low speed 200+K high speed Internet connection.



I then drove through Kelowna and south along the east side of the lake. Our first tasting was at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. The staff at wineries are usually good when you tell them that you know next to nothing and they take the time to teach about the wines. Maybe it will start sticking in my head if I do this enough! I bought a bottle of Enchanted Vines Solus Foch 2005.


Next stop was Cedar Creek Estate Winery. I bought a bottle of 2006 Pinot Noir & a 2005 Merlot. Our last stop was St.Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery. This winery lost a house, barn and vines in the 2005 wildfires. I bought a bottle of 2006 Marechel Foch. We think we tasted about 8 different wines as the woman really wanted us to think about the differences in the wines.

Saw a lot of beautiful new developments. A great hamburger with yam fries at Wild Apple Restaurant & Lounge at Manteo Resort sopped up the wine quite nicely.

It was so hot that we went swimming for about an hour. Lots of leftovers from the barbecue to eat and then we sat in the dark porch until midnight watching a lightning storm to the south.

On Monday morning we could see the smoke and planes from a forest fire just to the east of Kelowna. I didn't leave until 11:00.

I decided to drift home so started down the lakes. Peachland was my favourite town.

My next winery was Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars near Okanagan Falls. You need an appointment but a couple let me join them in the tastings. A limit of 2 samples here. I bought a couple of bottles for Pru's birthday since it is her favourite wine. You can finally buy it in specialty shops in Vancouver.

It was 40 in Osoyoos so I was glad to find a big air conditioned tourist bureau to regroup in. They recommended a restaurant and I ended up in the wrong one next door. When I did stop at the right one for a possible dessert, they were all booked so it was good that I went to Passatempo at Spirit Ridge. I had Quinoa (‘keen-wah’) salad with spinach, fried chickpeas, feta cheese, sherry vinaigrette and grilled tiger prawns. Not bad for a small town! The winery next door, Nk'Mip Cellars, was my last one. I left with a 2005 Merlot and a 2006 Pinot Noir.

The drive to Keremeos was a bit exciting. I drove right into a hailstorm that was so wild we all stopped a couple of times. The temperature dropped to 23. It was still raining a bit at Keremeos but I still made 3 stops for jams, cherries and various bottles of stuff. My favourite is Mariposa Orchards & Fruit Stand.

Since it was a workday, the traffic was really light all the way home. I stopped in Hope at a Home Restaurant. The food was good home cooking but the helping was far too big (American) and it wasn't the cleanest place.

I finally arrived home at 22:00 after 1,080 km.

Kelowna Trip