115

Physio this afternoon. My neck was stiff again - too many hugs this weekend!

Went geocaching in the sunshine. Still can't find 2 - one by the cemetary on Fraser and another in Richmond. Did find 2 that I had missed before so am up to 115.

Had dinner at Dave's in Steveston and was home in time to watch the Canuck win. Did get a bit nervous in the 3rd period.

Shaw Repairs

My TV goes off from time to time so a Shaw repairman came to look today. He replaced all my cables and gave me a new digital box. He's coming back with a new modem next week. Best service call I've had in ages.

Went to VESTA to watch 2 films put on by the Status of Women Committee - Reviving Ophelia and Sexy Inc. Every mother should watch these.





Was tired so left before the discussion and went home for a rest.

Met Moira at her car dealer at 19:45 and drove her home, stopping at Two Brothers on Granville for Chinese food.

Now have a bone scan booked for Monday and lab tests & oncologist on May 19th. The CT-Scan will be set for sometime in the next 2 weeks. Speed is always an indication of how seriously doctors are taking your results.

Tulips

Chris picked me up at 9:30 and then we (Patience & Pru) stopped at my local Starbucks to load up and headed south. It took about 1/2 an hour to cross at the truck crossing.

Our goal was Roozengaarde which I had programmed in my GPS on my last visit. The others hadn't been to see the tulips before and were suitably impressed. Entry is only $4 and that get you parking across the street from the gardens and later at the fields.

We started with a tail-gate picnic of leftover ham sandwiches and potato salad that was scrumptious. Then spent a couple of hours taking photos of the 3 acres of tulips. Most of the tulip fields are gone but we still found some after a short drive - bloom map.

Stopped in La Conner and I disappeared to find a geocache near the City Hall - my 1st US find and #113. Explained to the man living across the street who thought I might be picking tulips. He thought geocaching was a great idea and will not worry when he sees people skulking around the sculpture in the little garden. Found everyone again in the stores.

We had dinner at Shari's Restaurant near Bellis Fair (which is bankrupt).

Home at 8:15 and tired. Knees don't like long car trips and it was painful getting in and out. I was fine once I started walking.

Rising markers

Went to see my oncologist this morning and saw a locum instead. She says my tumour markers are going up. I now will have a bone scan at VGH on Monday and a CT-Scan at the Agency sometime soon.

Had a coffee at Mae's and picked up my birthday present. I like a spread out birthday. Stopped at the VSB for a sandwich in the cafeteria and then walked next door to Chapters and began to spend my birthday gift cards - what fun!

Came home for a couple of hours to read the papers and then went to Pru's for dinner with Patience and Chris. Watched some hockey and then home.

Choirs

Woke up with a headache so stayed quiet all day. Read papers and caught up with taped TV shows. Good thing I have machines in living room and bedroom. Set both going for tonight.

Picked up Pru & Jesse and we went to Chris's for dinner. Then to St. Patrick's Church to hear the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir with cousin Tim. He didn't know Patience was here. Also heard Talon sing in the Saint Patrick's Regional Secondary Chamber Choir - very impressive group that brought the audience to it's feet!

Birthday party

I did nothing all day but read the newspapers and watch stuff I had taped during the hockey games. At 5:30 I returned my library stuff and picked up The Russian Album - Ignatieff's story of his father's family.

Arrived at Pru's for my birthday party at 6 and there was Patience. Her grandson had emailed me to say she wasn't calling on my birthday from Houston because all the rain had knocked out her phone. She has been hiding in Pru's basement! A perfect surprise.

They had organized a great party with lots of wonderful food. Many friends and family members came - Jesse, (Luke phoned from Australia), Chris, Patrick, David, Elaine, Rick, Matt, Sharron, Georgina, Lori, Anni, Marilyn, Jane, Moira, Mary, Maureen, Louise and many Sandhu's. Judy and Patience helped Pru with the cooking - there was a pile of food that flowed all night, as did the wine.

It felt like Christmas opening all the presents. Even some Euro's and a map of Venice to tempt me into joining Moira et al at a conference in Italy in August.

It is so nice to still have birthdays and I enjoy every one of them. I am counting on a good appointment with my oncologist Monday that will mean having some more of them.

Cleaning day

Mel and her daughter came at 1 to clean and do the laundry. I always have to spend time cleaning up to get ready for her. God knows what my place would look like without her coming! It must be spring as we switched from flanel to cotton sheets!

Used part of a gift card at the White Spot for dinner - Mediterranean Chicken Burger (Fresh chargrilled chicken breast marinated in our lemon-herb sauce with red pepper, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, cream cheese and feta. Creamy coleslaw, Melissa’s favourite frizzled onions and 'endless' fries) from the Tastes Like Spring menu.

My legs are hurting some today so I am following instructions and resting them.

Did an election blog for the RTA that I should have had ready a couple of weeks ago.

60

Well I have now lived longer than my father or his father did. Not bad since a couple of oncologists predicted I'd be dead in 2 years in 1993.

Had lunch (lamb souvlaki & lentil soup) at Tops with Nancy, Diane and Rum. (chocolates & wine - mmmm). Picked up some stuff at London Drugs. I was out of everything.

Physio was at 2. After the session was nearly over, the clerk knocked to say the 2:00 client was still waiting. I found my appointment slip when I came home and this time I was right. I'll take it in next week to prove it. My legs are a bit sore and she says it is the tendons. I'm to stay on level ground for a few days.

Decided to come home instead of geocaching. Bacon and eggs for dinner.

Several calls, cards and emails from friends. I do like birthdays!

VBE Heritage

Went to my first meeting of the Vancouver Board of Education Heritage Committee this morning. Mostly retired principals and 1 retired associate superintendent. Glad to see Maryanne is a member - she is the archivist in the bunch. The goal is to get some space from the VBE and set up a Heritage Centre with books, photos, etc. We've already scanned over 2,000 photos and schools can access then online.

Visited a few friends and had my second free Starbucks coffee (Earth Day) with Collette. Stayed for lunch in the cafeteria.

Tried 3 geocaches in Richmond but only found one near London Farm on the dyke. Shopped at Cobbs and M&M Meats and then home.

Get out the broom

Out this morning to renew my driver's licence. The wait wasn't long at all.

Picked up Mae and we tried parking at Granville Island. Stupid at lunch time. Gave up and went to Caper's for lunch.

Back to Granville Island for groceries and found a parking spot right away. Took Mae to find a geocache by the market and it was an easy one - #111.

Dropped Mae off at home and went to Cancer Agency to pick up my pills.

Arrived home 5 minutes before Sears arrived with my new cocktail/coffee table. The even carried my old one (1970) down so I could put it by the garbage bin. I'm sure someone will recycle it.

Enjoyed watching the Canucks sweep a series for the first time in their history!

Almost the perfect day

Out early for groceries at Safeway.

Called Dell again and again was told they would send a shipping label to return the unopened netbook that I had cancelled twice before it arrived. This time, the email came and I stuck the UPS on. Took the box to the UPS store on Granville. In the same block I was able to deposit a cheque & withdraw money from VanCity and go to a lab for my cancer checkup bloodwork. They needed a good vein to draw 4 vials and had to use one on the back of my hand.

Attended Status of Women meeting and took the minutes, emailing them off before leaving.

Made it to Primo's for dinner 15 minutes late and no one was there. It is next Monday! Oh well, can't do everything right.

Inside day

Was awake before 9 but stayed in bed to listen to an interview with Ignatief on CBC.

Sears called to arrange delivery of my new cocktail/coffee table on Tuesday night - there is a hockey game so I know I'll be in.

Actually did my taxes and Netfiled them. Love not having to pack everything up to mail. I get a refund so should have done it ages ago.

Settled in to watch the Canucks win game 3 and the end of the Giants win in overtime.

Enjoying The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Too bad it is only on HBO (63).

BCTLA and BCLA

Moira drove today and we started at the Metrotown Holiday Inn Express with the BCTLA Chapter Councilor meeting and AGM. I was given a certificate and White Spot gift certificate commemorating my 2007 Life Time Memership award. Was also re-appointed Web Steward although Al will take over doing the web site. I'll keep doing the Calendar, news blogs and forum. Heather did an amazing job and we got through both agendas by noon!

We joined the BCLA conference in the Metrotown Hilton for lunch in the display area and then attended 2 workshops. Finished at 5:30 and found Moira for the drive home.

Neither of us had the energy to cook so we ate at Applause.

My knees did not like sitting for so long. At least I had my netbook to play with.

Long Day

Up early for the 10:00 COSCO (Council of Senior CitizensOrganizations of BC) meeting at the Hastings Community Centre. Rafe Mair was the guest speaker from the Save Our Rivers Society. He convinced me of the problems with the run of river proposals and the destruction of BC Hydro. Nice to hear that voice again.

A group of us had lunch at Tom & Jerry's and then I headed off to find some geocaches in Burnaby. Failed on a few and now have 110.

Didn't see the point in driving home and back to Burnaby again so killed enough time that I ended up at the Burnaby Keg at 4:30. Sat and read the paper until the others from the BCTLA Executive arrived at 5:00. I had Sirloin Oscar (Grilled top sirloin topped with shrimp, scallops, asparagus and Bearnaise sauce). Put the whole bill on my credit card for the points.

We had our Executive meeting at the Metrotown Hilton and worked until 10:00. I was bad and watched the Canuck's playoff game live on my netbook. Might have gotten away with it but I yelled when the 1st goal was scored. Three of us have birthdays this month and were given cards, balloons & cupcakes.

Finally home at 10:45.

Haircut

Out this afternoon for a much needed haircut. I was getting shaggy and it was too warm now spring is really here.

The expected rain held off so I wandered around and found some more geocaches - 107.

I was so caught up in the Canucks game last night, I forgot to watch Bones & Lost. Watched them both on my laptop on A Channel & Global. Great service!

Canucks win 1st game

Went to the doctor to refill hayfever prescription. Mine was busy so another saw me. He agreed that the cough and throat problem I've had for a while is just sinus.

Today was 1st of three film nights at VESTA. TOday David Chudnovsky and Jennifer Hales presented The Way Home. We started with some wine and food, watched the movie and then asked questions about homelessness.

Home just in time for the Canuck's first goal.

Blossom time

Vancouver is full of blossoms - this is why we live here!

Physio at 2:00. My foot was a bit swollen last night but was normal today.

Decided to try for the geocache near Marine Way & Boundary that my partners couldn't find yesterday. I cheated and parked below MW at a service station. After a short walk back up the hill I found a large trail & was right at the cache. Much easier than climbing down several sets of stairs. Found the little cache after about 10 minutes. Added a couple of others in Burnaby and am at 103.

Rewarded myself with dinner at the Cactus Club and then home to watch the Giants win.

100 Geocaches!

Met Pam (Ms Marple1) and Lori (HenderBugs) at 10 this morning near Fraserview Golf Course. I drove while we found 17 caches. I am now at 100!

We worked from the Fraser River up to Kingsway, between Knight and Boundary. Couldn't find a couple of them. Stopped at Top's for lunch and a rest break. Home just after 6. A lot of walking. Still having trouble on stairs and nearly fell while standing on a pile of rocks. Should use the cane more.

Baseball & Curling

Spent a rainy day watching Toronto lose, Seattle win & Canada lose to Scotland in a squeaker.

Also installed my Tax program and wrote my annual TL report.

Steak, baked potato & cranberry wine for Easter dinner. Now to do the dishes.

Canucks win Division

Spent an enjoyable afternoon watching the Canucks win a nooner and take the Division.



Then had a lazy day watching TV & movies. I was stiff after all the walking this week.

Fort Langley

Took advantage of a rain-free day and loaded a bunch of waypoints near Fort Langley. Found a couple of geocaches and stopped at Tracycakes Bakery Cafe - broccoli & potato soup with a fresh biscuit and then a cupcake.

Continued hunting and got my number up to 82. The radio I put in my car last year plays MP3-CDs and VPL has started stocking them. So nice to have a book on one disc instead of 5 or 6. . A good mystery makes the day go quickly. Finally stopped when I couldn't find 2 in a row and realized it was 4:45 - I had started at 10!

Edmonton did the right thing tonight and whipped Calgary. Canucks are still 2 points ahead with 1 game to go.

Delivery?

Got up at 7:30 to be ready for the 8 to 5 delivery of my new "cocktail table" (I call it a coffee table) but they called about 11 to say it didn't make it from the store to the delivery site. Now I don't know when it will come. Between physio and being on alert for possible flooding in Manitoba, this could be tricky.

Out briefly to the library and Safeway.

Started the day with a headache so just stayed in doing accounting and reading.

What Meeting?

Rushed to get to COSCO meeting at 9:30 in the Hastings Community Centre. I was late but there was no meeting. It has been moved to the 17th. It wasn't just me, it was booked for today and none for the next week.

Decided to make good use of being out and started searching for geocaches in Burnaby. Found one in Brentwood Mall parking lot. Went in for lunch and stopped at Sears to look at coffee (cocktail) tables. Found a slightly damaged one on sale for $79. Most of what I've looked at was $300-$400. Even with a $60 deliver charge I thought it was a good deal. Stopped at Home Depot for a touchup pen.

By the end of the day I was up to 75 finds.

Cherry Blossoms

The trees have finally indicated that it is Spring.

I barely touched my coffee table and it fell over, spewing books and small computers across the room. The leg first came off in the early 1970's & I guess it is time to buy a new one. Must find a store that delivers.

Added a few more caches in the sunshine - up to 67! The ones I don't find are irritating! I know that I'm just not thinking clearly at times. Started in Richmond and then back in Vancouver.

Physio at 4:30 for my sore neck. It has been much better but I still can't turn my head properly to the right.

A Day in the Sun

The day ended with a shooting down the street. I see on the 11:00 news that someone was killed at the Husky a couple of blocks from me. So maybe geocaching in the woods isn't any more dangerous than walking to the corner store?

Out this morning to Stanley Park and found 3 caches. One in the woods by the Aquarium wasn't too hard. If you haven't been to the Totems in the last few years, they are worth a visit. Prospect Point is coming together. Once the ground cover has grown in it will be specular - much better than before. Impressed with the stone monument to the storm. Couldn't figure out how to get to a cache under the Burrard Street bridge. Next time I'll walk from the Maritime Museum parking lot.

Out to Richmond to shop at COSTCO. The clerk didn't scan 2 cases of water (yes, I buy bottles since I am in a building with old pipes & my immune system is compromised) and I was caught at the door. I said if I was trying to steal something, I'd have picked something smaller (and worth more) and they were quite pleasant about it.

Failed to figure out how to get to a cache near the Knight Street bridge and took it as a sign to head home. 63 finds!

New Convention Centre

Took the bus downtown to meet Mae, Jane & Glenn at the Pan Pacific Hotel. We then went to the new Vancouver Convention Centre. It is an amazing building. Loved the living roof and beehives. Too bad there isn't any way to see the new artificial reef.



Jane treated us to lunch at Steamworks. I was hoping to eat in the Transcontinental but it was closed - not too smart on a weekend when 60,000+ walked by on the way to new building.

Too tired to shop so came home. I realized that I had been gone for 6 hours - no wonder my feet hurt!

Poor Canucks. Can't be easy dealing with 2 deaths in one year.

Spring is really here

This was going to be a "let's not even get dressed day" but Moira called and I had to shower and dress to have dinner with her. Applause was full so we went to the White Spot and ate too much.

I missed the last 2 minutes of Bones on my taping this week. Was delighted to find the whole episode on the GlobalTV site.

Wendy Ladner-Beaudry was found murdered in Pacific Spirit Park yesterday. We were geocaching across the street at Musqueam Park a couple of times in the last 2 weeks. Once I stumbled on someone's camp. I didn't get too close and we didn't see anyone who might have been using it. Might not go after those other caches hidden in the Endownment Lands for a while, at least not alone.

Quiet day

Out a couple of times for paper and groceries. Failed to find a couple of nearby caches - will try another day.

Lots of arrests today. The police have been quietly working on gang killings.

60 Finds

Met Lori in Steveston this morning and we found several caches in Richmond, ending up at Dave's Fish & Chips for fish & chips.

My GPS is won't find the satellites so we had to depend on Lori's. Stopped at home for the bill & box and then down to Deakin's on Powell Street. They played with it for a while but finally just gave me a new one - a good argument against buying online!

Stopped on the way home to find 2 more to get my number up to 60.

Physio

Woke up at 7 and put the news on. Turned over and it was 10:10! Had to rush a bit to make the 11:00 physio appointment.

My neck has been pretty good, but hurt once Stacy began working on my muscles. She said that it will probably be up and down for a while and not to get frustrated.

Big shopping load at Safeway and then home.

It was snowing this morning!