Happy New Year

We are now in Austin and it is in the mid sixties. We are just going to lie by the pool in our bathing suits.

Drove from Houston yesterday, stopping for BBQ on the way. Last night we went to a club to hear Malford Mulligan play. What a great group.

Tomorrow we drive to Brownsville and walk to Mexico for the next 2 days.

My foot has been really swollen but it better today. There is no humidity here. My knees don't like the back seat in the car but I think I am navigating tomorrow & get the front.

Merry Christmas from Houston

I am now in Houston visiting family. It was 73 today and drizzly. The sun will be here tomorrow and it is warming up to the 80s. When I first came we were sitting by the pool in our shorts.

Tonight we are sleeping at my cousin's son's house to wake up with his 2 little kids in the morning. We will go home after lunch and have a quiet Christmas. 16 will be coming to Patience's for Christmas dinner (turkey and pork) on Boxing Day. I have already made my Killer Cranberry Sauce.

We have another family dinner (different family) on the 28th and then leave for Austin on the 30th. We will spend New Year's there and the boys will be out partying.

We drive to Brownsville on New Year's Day and will have 2 days walking across the border to Mexican towns. Back to Houston on the 4th and home on the 6th. Maybe the snow will be gone and we can get to Seattle. Don't know yet how we get home from there.

My right foot is really swelling. Not sure if it is the walking or all the sitting - everything is so far away!

Pru's present was taking me to The Messiah - very impressive!

Long Day

There is still ice on the side roads so I kept to cabs today. I'll get the snow tires mounted in January. Thought I'd have to leave early in case the cab arrived late because of the cold but one came before I even left the apartment. It was too early for my physio appointment so I had him take me to Oakridge. After coffee & a scone I walked around the mall.

Went to my VanCity for cash and then to physio. Good work on my sore neck. Then down to CIBC to convert cash to U.S. Wish I had done it months ago! Called a cab and waited about 10 minutes. Went to have my hair cut and then walked across the street to Liberty Bakery on Main Street for black bean soup. Bought some treats for the afternoon and tomorrow's breakfast and then took a cab home.

Called a cab to take me to the new London Drugs at Broadway & Cambie. Again it came before I could even get out of my apartment. Apparently they hang out at the hotel at Oak & Marine. Argued with the driver about where LD was. He got angry when I told him he was wrong. Finally convinced him to let me out at Ash & Broadway. He still thought I had to go west, not to the new store to the east!

Met Louise in the Cactus Club for our monthly dinner. Walked to Heather to buy lattes and then up to the Cancer Agency for our support group. We had all brought goodies (mine was shortbread - yes, I made it!). I think the weather kept the group small.

Cab ride home ($17) should be my last ones! I had mailed the receipts for grocery delivery and physio to my lawyer but had to wait for the last receipt to mail the taxi bundle to ICBC. Will try to do that on the way tomorrow.

I am just about packed for my trip. Pru, Jesse & Lucas will come for me in the morning. One of John's caregivers is driving us to Sea-Tac in his van. Then 3 weeks with cousin Patience in Houston. I think she still has dial-up so I don't know how often I will be able to blog.

Christmas snow

Today was quite beautiful with 10 cm of snow falling overnight but I had no intention of driving. Chris and Pru came to collect me for lunch at John's. Got a box of Purdy's and a signed Lynden T-shirt. So do I wear it or hang it on the wall?

One more day to go. I think it is too icy to drive without snow tires so I will revert to taxis tomorrow.

Driving Again

It has been exactly 9 weeks since my crash. I gingerly started up my shiny car and drove through that intersection to get on the Oak St. bridge. Bought some clothes at Northern Reflections and then had lunch at Tim Horton's.

Spent some time with Matt and Andy. Gave the girls The Night Before Christmas to get them in the mood. Visited Mae for a couple of hours and then we walked over to Ocean 6 Seventeen at Stamp's Landing. I had scrumpcious pumpkin soup and halibut and chips. We walked to my car and I drove Mae back home as it was getting really cold. I was glad that I had worn my ski jacket.

Now it is snowing so I don't know what I am going to do tomorrow and Monday. I don't have snow tires on and don't want to take any chances.

Snow?

I saw flakes for about 5 minutes this morning. The big wind and snow storm didn't come anywhere near me!

Pru drove me to hear The Universal Gospel Choir at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. The Music Director, Kathryn Nicholson, was the music therapist at the Cancer Agency so I saw a couple of old friends from there.
It wasn't even raining, let alone snowing, when we came out. Should be fine to try driving for the 1st time in 9 weeks tomorrow. Then off to Texas on Tuesday!

Snow!

It is snowing in Houston and supposed to snow here Friday! I am supposed to be able to drive Saturday but certainly won't if it is snowing or icy. I won't be able to get my snow tires on until January. It is Murphy's law that I have been patient for 9 weeks of not driving to have this happen now.

Took a cab to physio this afternoon. Steacy checked my stair abilities and massaged the foot for a bit. Then went to work on my sore neck. Maybe I should take her away with me.

Wandered around Oakridge for some excercise. Mailed everything for Christmas. Decided to have an early dinner in the Food Fair so I wouldn't have to cook. A cab was sitting at the door so I got home quickly - probably my last cab ride.

International Human Rights Day

I finished today's tasks. All my Christmas letters are written and the cards ready for the mail as are Mike's birthday and Christmas presents. All the presents are wrapped except for those going on the plane. I have loaded some waypoints into my GPS units and the batteries are charging.

Neck a bit sore tonight.

Christmas cards

Spent the day writing my Christmas letter. I was too ill last year to send them so I really want to get them out before going to Houston.

Did a bunch of Christmas tasks and the day just disappeared.

It is supposed to snow Friday night - just in time for my first drive on Saturday!

New School Board

Up early - physio was 8:30. Good massage on back and neck. My foot an ankle are well aligned.

Met Pru at White Spot for breakfast. Basically finished my Christmas shopping. Just a few things left that I'll look for in Texas. Cab home.

Joan picked my up for the VESTA Status of Women meeting. Barb and I then went out for dinner (White Spot again). We attended the final meeting of the old Board of Education and the inauguration of the new one. Patti Bacchus was elected as the new chair. She is an active parent who topped the polls. What a change from the last couple of chairs! Gregor Robinson, the new mayor, showed up. He even brought a bunch of the new council members. I can't remember ever seeing a mayor inside the VSB building!!!!

Stayed to visit a bit and eat. Moira was there and drove me home.

I didn't sleep much last night and really feel it now. My neck was quite sore but better after physio. It is hurting a bit tonight. My ankle is fine.

Shortbread

I actually made shortbread this year. It took all day as I always quadruple my recipe.

Sorted out my presents and I am actually more than 1/2 done. Forgot what I bought months ago.

My neck is much better than it was a week ago.

Prop 8

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Montreal's École Polytechnique

Today was the 19th anniversary of the massacre at Montreal's École Polytechnique. Jane picked me up at we went to the Marker of Change in Thornton Park. Les was still there but the other women had been and gone. We walked around the memorial checking each stone bench. There were flowers and candles at each.

Met the others at The Whip Restaurant and Gallery for lunch - California Eggs Benedict with Red onion, Tomato, & Avacado and tea. Excellent food.

Jane dropped me at Oakridge. I walked around the mall and bought some presents. Met Barbara while loading up my cart at Safeway. My plan was to have the groceries delivered but she insisted that she and her husband would drive me home. They even carried the bags up.

Goodbye OJ

Justice comes late for OJ and maybe that makes it sweeter.

Slept in this morning. Walked to local paper box to get the Sun for the TV Guide. Once again it didn't work. Went on to the corner store to buy one.

Postie delivered package right to my door - what service!

Physio

ICBC called to see if I had more bills. The police report does say that it was a "band bus" that hit me but not which one.

Mel came to clean today and did the laundry. She then drove me to physio. Steacy worked on my ankle and neck. Felt good.

Walked to VanCity to deposit ICBC cheque for taxis and to get cash - I had run right out!

Too late to have groceries delivered by Safeway so just bought enough for a bag. Also a bbq chicken for a change. Found a taxi sitting right outside the door.

What day?

Kept thinking it was Tuesday. Certainly entertaining watching the politics. It's like they were jealous of all the attention we paid to Obama and did something to get noticed.

Didn't do a lot today since I walked so much yesterday.

Long Day

Met with my financial adviser. Looks like the 1st $12,500 payment into RRSP for Opus Cranberries is toast - they are offering me about $250. I'm not selling and I'm not making the 2nd payment. They seem so shady. All the promises made by Jill Bock turn out to be lies.

Met Matt & Pru at the White Spot in Oakridge and she bought us lunch. Good food & good company. Andrea picked up Matt to go to Children's for an appointment to look at Sadie's hip. Turns out she needs surgery for her hip dysplasia - hip osteotomy.

Wandered around the mall shopping for the afternoon. My foot held up but I was really tired by the time I walked across the street for physio at 3. My ankle has almost normal range of motion. I have some exercises to do and have to practice walking properly. I have been flatfooted to protect the break. Physio also spent time working on my neck and shoulders. I was glad when the cab got me home!

Celebration of Life

Took a cab to and from service for friend's son today. It was an amazing service and the church was overflowing.

SHAW Travis John On November 24, 2008 Travis passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 23. He will be profoundly missed by his loving family; mother Lynn and Gary; father Jack and Pam; sisters Krista and Liana and brother Fraser; grandmother Mary Hamilton and many other relatives and friends. Travis will also be missed by his precious dog Coco. Full of life, full of fun, loyal to his family and friends, protective of everything he loved. Service will be held at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, located at 949 West 49th Avenue (at Oak), on Monday December 1st at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Last Door Recovery Society, 323 8th Street, New Westminster, B.C. V3M 3R3.

Published in the Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on 11/29/2008

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End of November

Really getting bored with being home so much. I keep wanting to shop for Christmas stuff and then remember I can't just jump in the car.

Busy week coming up.