Meet the Teacher

Thought Mel was coming so was all cleaned up but she changed it to Friday.  Can I keep up the cleanliness until then?

Picked up my new VISA card at the bank.  Wonder where I used it that they thought compromised it?  Now to change all those automatic billings!  Tried for a cache near Kitsilano but it was too close to the daycare for a daytime hunt.

Weir was having their Meet the Teacher night so I picked up Rum and Nancy for dinner at Van-Ya.  They have the best bento selection.  They had to go back to the parents.  Don't miss that part of the job at all.

Red Cross Event

Woke up late and had a lazy day.  It poured on and off as thunder cells moved by.

Went to the Red Cross at Lake City for an event to thank the volunteers at the fires.  Interesting talks by a few who helped in Seton Portage and Kelowna.  Always nice to see old friends in a calmer atmosphere.  I didn't do much to help this time, but hopefully will have more energy for the next disaster.

Day of ease

I've been so busy that I decided not to even get dressed today.  Woke up at 8:30 and was pretty stiff and sore.

Started on the Vancouver RTA newsletter, read, watched TV...  What a life!

Am really enjoying the Ken Burns series on U.S. National Parks

WOTS

Didn't wake up until 9.  Angie and Al were already back in Kelowna!  Packed the car and then sat in lobby for waffle breakfast again. 

Dropped a couple of things at home and headed downtown for Word on the Street.  Arrived at 10:30 and shopped before the crowds arrived.  Walked about 2.4 km and bought a lot of Christmas presents and UNICEF cards.  Nice having the car under the library so I could take the bags to the trunk a couple of times. Saw several friends.  Finally fagged out and left before 1. 

Stopped at Oakridge for groceries.  Filled up with gas for 1.01/litre - cheapest in ages.

Was really tired and aching when I got home.  Just sat, read and watched stuff I had taped. 

A perfect day

Up at 7:30 for a swim and hot tub with Angie.  Showered and had breakfast in the lobby of the hotel.  Love the waffle making machine.  Dad would have been impressed.  I remember that cranky old machine he tried making them on.

BCTLA Executive meeting went from 9 to 3.  Good lunch was brought in.  We actually finished the whole agenda right on time.  A good group to work with.

Had a rest for an hour and then went to Steveston with Angie, Al & Halia.  Great dinner at the Steveston Seafood House.   I had the set 4 course Fall Feature dinner for $35.95 - Chilled prawn cocktail and served with our house cocktail sauce; Fresh garden salad; FILET MIGNON AND CRAB (AAA filet mignon topped with fresh shrimp, crab meat and sauce béarnaise) and Deep Dish Apple Pie.  We then took a long walk around Steveston and took photos of the sunset from the dock.

I am now watching Midsummer Murder, waiting for my camera battery to recharge so I can download the photos.

I am feeling well considering the long day.  I know I will sleep soundly tonight.

Perfect September day

Picked up a reserve at the library and headed for Delta.  Had lunch at Ricky's (liver to replace all that blood I've given up this week) and then did some geocaching.  Don't think the 1st two are there but succeeded on the 3rd.  Taught a couple on the bench how to do it.  Stared for one at Boundary Bay but ran out of time to get back through the tunnel.

Checked in at La Quinta Inn at 3 for the BCTLA Executive meeting.  Decided to pay to stay myself and enjoy not having to drive home.  Had a nice swim - small pool with perfect temperature but the ladders in and out were too small. 

We met in the lobby and walked to The Jade Chinese Seafood Restaurant for a wonderful meal.  It wasn't just the food - the service was perfect.

Our meetings are in a small room in the lobby of the hotel.  Tonight we finished at 9.  I'm back in my room watching TV.  Unlike the Hilton last week, the internet is free in the room and meeting room.

Fall heat

Loving the hot fall we are having (28 at the airport yesterday!!).

Picked up Mae and drove her to the Cancer Agency this morning.  Enjoyed Relaxation but think I was snoring.  Bloodwork at 11:30 and then lunch with Mae & Darline.  Sat in the lounge reading until 1:00 chemo.  Went well again.  They don't seem to have to draw blood as part of it so can do everything through Port-A-Cath.  The nurse doing the blood tests leaves the needle in for the later chemo.

Found a cache (325) in New West but failed again on Illusions of Grandeur.  Really thought I might find it this time! 

Lugged my monitor in to Future Shop.  The computer is working fine so they want to try it with my monitor.  But this is the replacement one that HP sent a few weeks ago and the problem occurred with both.

Started the thyroid medicine this morning.  Hope it will take care of some of the fatigue and joint pain.

Thyroid

I was at the Agency at 7:45 for bloodwork and saw my oncologist at Fairmont at 10:00. My tumours are either the same or a bit smaller, so we'll keep on doing what we are doing. My thyroid levels were off so I am starting medication tomorrow. This could explain why I keep falling asleep (in the middle of Murder She Wrote today).

Mae met me and we went shopping for a birthday present she needed. We did not communicate well and ended up at a golf course in Surrey instead of a store on Marine Drive across from my apartment. We had a great lunch sitting on a patio on the beach at Vita's Bar & Grill.

Dropped Mae off and went to Safeway to fill my prescription.

New Camera

Started out at Lens and Shutter.  My small digital that I've had for 5 years stopped working a few months ago.  They couldn't see anything obvious but guessed it was the shutter.  Sounded expensive so I decided to buy a new one.  Got the new version of the same one.  Much smaller and 12.5 pixels (4X the old one).  It is a Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Digital ELPH and is so small I can carry it in a case on my belt. 

Had lunch at Moderne Burger and headed out to Richmond to tackle Future Shop.  The tech took my computer and plugged it into a monitor - the sucker worked perfectly.  I asked to see the manager and I think he got it.  It will work at times but then the monitor loses contact.  He agreed to have it sit there for a few days and they would watch what happens.

Found a new cache at Connaught Park in Vancouver and another near Crown Zellerbach in Richmond - Dad worked there for the CNIB in the 1950's and 1960's.  Now up to 324.

Discombobulated

I think that is a perfect word for me these days.

Up at 7 to start drinking water for CT Scan.  The tech found a vein in my arm - the first time in ages.  I was back home by 8:30.  Had plans for the day but decided home was the place after 1000 ml of water.  Dozed on and off all afternoon.

Had a haircut at 5 and met Louise, Wanda and Gwen at Cactus Club.  Always enjoy the food and company.  Picked up coffees and then to support group at the Cancer Agency - 10 in our group tonight.

My computers are still cranky.  Had a message that the laptop had a blue screen of death.  The main one couldn't detect the monitor again this afternoon but worked after an hour or so.  Not sure what to do with them.  Also my small digital camera isn't working and I can't find the bill.  I'll still go to Lens & Shutter for advice (I have the exact date I bought it so maybe it is in the computer).

My hands and fingers are still painful (I have upgraded from sore).  I suppose the answer might be not to use the computers.  Is that why they aren't working well?  Trying to send me a message?

Ouch

Took a Cross fountain pen back to Office Depot today.  When I tried screwing the 2 sections together after putting in the cartridge, it sliced 2 fingers open.  Might be why it was so cheap.

Foolishly thought of having lunch in Steveston.  I haven't seen it that busy all summer.

For once a movie I really liked won an Emmy - Grey's Garden.  So glad we finally got HBO in Canada.

My computer seems to be working today and I have reloaded most programs.

Home sweet home

Slept 11 hours last night.  I guess I needed it.  I feel tired today but no headache.

Only went out for some groceries.  Started reinstalling everything in my computer.  Thought it was gone again when the message saying it didn't detect a signal appeared but it was a false alarm and it seems fine.  Running faster without so much stuff in it.  Bought new versions of a couple of well used programs for the new bells and whistles.

I am now reading and listening to Lions while the files are going in.  I didn't get the mail backed up and lost a lot.  I have gone back to Outlook 2003 as it is easier to back up.  I am using Firefox instead of Explorer and like it a lot better.

Poor me

Had a really good sleep last night.  The Hilton pillows were excellent and the night quieter than I am used to.

Did have a bit of a headache and my fingers still hurt (but not as bad as last night) so I took a pain killer.   The food was good at the breakfast and lunch buffets.  The RTA training day was worthwhile and I was able to speak up a few times.

Started feeling bad in the afternoon.  The headache was back and I felt a fit sick.  Gave up at 2:45 and went to my room.  The session ended at 3:30 so I didn't miss much.  Fell asleep but by 5 was feeling worse.  Called Pat for advice and decided to head home.

Sitting now with a cup of tea and think I'll try some soup.

RTA Conference

I am at the Hilton in Richmond for 2 nights - Retired Teachers Conference & AGM.   My car is on the same floor as my car so luggage is easy.  Only 6 or so TV channels?  Have to pay for internet in room and meeting room so I am using free WiFi in the lobby.  I told them off - I can stay in a cheap motel and get it free.

After a drinkin the bar, had a great meal with Merle, Diane and Pat at the American Grille in the Marriott. They have a special.  For $25 you can have any entree and appetizer.  We had Spicy Prawn & Avocado Salad ((Low Carb) cold water prawns, avocado, watercress, papaya, spicy lime vinaigrette) and Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb (pan-seared potato gnocchi, French beans, natural jus).  Diane and I then had another drink in the Hilton bar.

My fingers are really sore and stiff.  Must be the change in the weather.

Old Friends

Met Marilyn and Anni and their husbands and Georgina at Tim Horton's on North Road this morning.  Love getting together with such old friends.  The beauty of teaching is that you make friends at every school you work at.

Did some shopping at Lougheed Mall and dropped off due library books.  Came home and did a load of laundry.  Had to ask Mae who the killer was in Murder She Wrote as I fell asleep.

Back out at 5 to pick up reformatted computer at Future Shop.  Won't touch it until Sunday.  Had dinner at IHOP but it was horrible.  The place was full of loud and rude old folks who were in the Senior Games.  I do hope our Retired Teachers are better behaved this weekend.

Strollers

Three of us started a weekly strolling club.  We met at the Jericho Beach parking lot and walked to the Jericho Sailing Club.  Went out on the dock and then stopped for lunch (buffalo burger) at the Galley Patio & Grill and strolled back.  Very civilized!

Found a couple of new caches in Renfrew & Central parks and then was tired so went home.

At 5:00 I decided to take the computer back to Future Shop to have the hard drive reformatted. It worked just long enough to back up the remaining files last night.  Wouldn't work today.  Almost had an accident as someone decided to turn left and the car behind him swerved in front of me and stopped.  The computer went flying!  Future Shop didn't mention that it is going to cost $155 to reinstall Windows.  I was too tired to argue or to do it myself.

Stopped at Applause for dinner and then home to play Scrabble and Lexulous with Pru while talking on the phone.

Dumb and dumber

Just posted this to the wrong blog and people all over the province read it - duh!

 

Went shopping this morning and decided not to go for long walk geocaching as it looked like rain.  Just couldn't get motivated.

 

Future Shop called to ask if they could reformat the hard drive.  I needed to back up a few files.  I had done most of it, especially all the music and photographs.  They wanted $120 to do it!  Needless to say, I carried the CPU and monitor back up my stairs to do it myself.  The monitor worked fine and I have finished.  I still think I'll take it back to be reformatted.  It has some stuff in it I don't need any more and there is some stuff I had to do to let Dreamweaver work that I don't need since I'm switching to Kompozer.

 

Family dinner at Pru's today to see Daniel.  14 of us had a great dinner of bbq roast beef.  Daniel heads back to Shanghai on Wednesday.

Granville Island

Thought I would just veg all day.  Started watching the Lions and Pru called to ask me to bring lattes during 1/2 time.  We watched them nearly win!!  Next time.

Off to Granville Island to shop for tomorrow's family dinner.  Had crepes and good tea for lunch.

Day of geocaching

Met Pam at 9 this morning and we tackled a bunch of Richmond caches.  We worked until 3 and walked 6.4 km!  I am now at 320 finds and was able to swap a couple of travel bugs.  A new cache was at Steveston Secondary, which is now boarded up.  It was placed by Steve's son and he wanted to know if people had attended.  I enjoyed finding it and explaining that I was another Steve's sister and I posted his grad photo. 

I am feeling well except for some pain in my hands - arthritis or computer?

COSCO

Attended COSCO meeting at the Hasting Community Centre this morning.  Everyone is upset by new HST.  A bunch of us then lunched at Tom & Jerry's - I had liver to make up for all the blood tests.

Found a cache in East Vancouver and then wandered around Burnaby trying to get past traffic jams.  Ended up at Central Park.  Turned to get out of the car and there was Pam!  She recognized the geocaching decal on my car window and followed me back into the parking lot.  She stood by as I found the cache she had just found.  We then found a new one in Everett Crowley Park.  This is a perfect dog walking park.  There were even jugs of water and dishes set out for the dogs.  What it lacks, is a bathroom.  You would think there would be one in the 2nd largest park in the city.

Alan Zisman came through with a suggested program to use with my websites - KompoZer.  It is based on the old Netscape Composer I used to use.  I can even use it on my netbook.

Treatment today

Picked up Mae and drove her to the Cancer Agency.  I started with a blood test using my port-a-cath.  Left the needle in for the afternoon.

Grabbed a scone so I could take my pill and made it to Relaxation at 10.  Always a good way to centre for the day.  Back upstairs to meet with my trial nurse at 11:30.

Had lunch in the cafeteria and spent some time in a lounge with today's papers.  Don't know if I still have a doctor after the walkout at Seymour Clinic!  My treatment was supposed to start at 1:00 but there was a holdup with the blood tests from VGH.  They can't mix my cocktail until they get the go ahead.  Once we started it went well.  Love the days I don't need a second blood test and everything is through the port.

Lugged my computer & monitor back to Future Shop and they'll try again!!!  Picked up groceries at M&M and Country Gardens.  Butter chicken, fresh corn and peaches for dinner tonight.

I hate computer hardware!

Met Dan Kenning for lunch at Stella's on Commercial and had a pleasant meal.

Then I spoiled it by going to Future Shop. HP sent a new monitor to replace my faulty one. I returned my loaner and got the money back. Carried the new one home and it does the same thing. Either has a message that there is no signal or goes to sleep. I called and have to haul it all back (down the stairs).

Carried the CPU down tonight and had dinner at Applause with Moira.

Obama nailed it tonight with his health care speach, as he did with school talk.

TGIF

Spent the 1st day of school at the TGIF (Thank God I'm Free) brunch at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.  Far too much good food.  The oldest retiree is 102!

I found cache #308 at UBC on the way home.

I really need  a simpler programme than Dreamweaver to do web sites.  It is driving me nuts and wasting hours!

Labour Day

Had physio this morning.  We think I am almost finished.  Maybe one more in a couple of weeks.

Found a couple of caches at UBC but then was tired so headed home.

Talked to Jane.  She is home in Loon Lake from hospital and will see the doctors in a week to see how the breaks are healing.

Busted!

Spent the day working on various projects and reading.

There was a lot of shouting and honking around 7 tonight.  Watched a black man chase a Russian looking man to the building across the street and force him to return to mid block where a bunch of men were milling around a couple of double parked cars.  I called 911 and kept describing what was happening to the operator.  Just as the police came the white fellow went into the a suite across the street and shut the patio doors.  An officer went in after him.  He brought him out and handcuffed him before taking back down the road.  The police stayed a long time and there was a good crowd watching.  I had done my bit so stayed in and cooked dinner.

Rain returns

So nice to have rain. I really worry about the trees on the boulevards when people don't water them.

This was a "let's not even get dressed" day. Did a lot of paperwork and reading.

Can't believe the stupidity of the Education Minister who suggested secondary school athletics can be replaced by playing in the park!

Go Lions!

Just watched a great football team. They are finally coming together.

Did some shopping today and picked up a reserve at the library.

First day in a few that I haven't fallen asleep in the afternoon. My arthritis has been acting up in my hands which is irritating.

Still haven't heard if Jane is out of hospital yet.

Tired

Had a good sleep last night to recover from the PNE.

Went shopping in Richmond. Stopped in Steveston for lunch at Pajo's at Garry Point and then looked unsuccessfully for a cache. Too many muggles and just couldn't see it.

Stopped at M&M, Cobbs, London Drugs & Richmond Country Farms. Seemed to take a lot of time doing this.

PNE

Spent almost 5 hours at the PNE and was quite ready to come home. Don't have the stamina I used to. Overdressed by wearing jeans when I saw the weather. I had been cold yesterday, but it was warm today.

Enjoyed the fair but it is becoming too expensive. Bottles of water are $4 and it seems Coke has a monopoly on it. They are foolish to have the games and food so expensive as many will just stop spending on them. Started the day with a Fisher scone - still the best!

Saw Celtic Thunder and heard a woman describing the oboe with a bag on the end as I left - decided not to embarrass her by naming the bagpipes. The music and dancing was good and it only lasted 1/2 an hour. Sat and listen to Dal Richards. Bought a few good things and walked a lot!

Clouds?

Day was cooler than I expected and there were funny little showers.

Picked up a latte and drove out to Matt's. He was out but quickly came back. We shopped all morning and I bought them a eucalyptus wood table and 4 chairs & umbrella at RONA's Home Centre Garage Sale for a housewarming gift.

Picked up groceries at Thrifty's and back home for lunch. The girls are really enjoying the new place. Even Lily was scampering up and down the stairs. There is a wooden deck so they are comfortable moving in and out to play.

Met Pru at her new house on 47th and took photos. Then went home and gave her lessons on taking photos out of the camera, sharing them on Picasa and editing. I created a monster and left her cropping and removing red eye!

Glen called to say Jane fell on the gravel and broke 3 bones in her wrist & 1 in her ankle. She went to Kamloops by ambulance and hopefully had surgery to put in plates and screws tonight.