Val Hamilton

Surrey puzzles

2012-02-17T00:35:00.000-08:00

Raining this morning but we found a dozen or so caches in Surrey. Most were puzzles solutions. We got every one on our list. I parked illegally for the last 2 while Pam and Lori made a dash for them.

Stopped at the mall by Scott & 72nd for cash, Cobbs & London Drugs.

My knee is still sore but I think it is getting better.

Funny day

2012-02-15T23:48:00.000-08:00

Went to my metastatic group this morning. I am sure a lot better off that some of the others. I don't feel guilty about that since I know that my disease is slowly progressing.

Grabbed a couple of quick caches and had lunch at the Sunshine Diner. My GERD struck and I needed to head home, with a quick stop at a gas station bathroom. Took a pill and it settled down quickly.

My knee still hurts. It is worse than yesterday but a lot better than the weekend. Ice and Tylenol!

Matt's 40th

2012-02-15T01:20:00.000-08:00

Picked up a birthday cake at the Bon Ton and had a scrumptious lunch - croissant with ham & cheese, loose tea & pastries.

Bought a Kobo Touch on sale at Chapters. My OT says I should avoid holding books for too long. Picked Kobo as you can load books for free from the library and you can't in Canada with the Kindle. Already reading a book on it - Half-Blood Blues. Haven't been reading much lately and think maybe it was because it hurt my hands.

Stopped at London Drugs for a knee brace. Got a smaller type than the one the OT lent me and it is much easier to put on. My knee is almost better today. Don't know how it could change so quickly - ice, Tylenol for Arthritis, rest, elevation...

Found some caches including one using a CHIRP. Love driving over the Golden Ears Bridge.

Great dinner at Matt & Andrea's to celebrate their birthdays. Have some in the fridge for tomorrow's dinner. Found a cache in a busy parking lot on the way home. No one around at 8:45 to see me in the tree.

OT

2012-02-14T00:16:00.001-08:00

Had blood drawn at the Cancer Agency this morning. So easy with the port! Went to the cafeteria for a scone & tea and read the paper someone had left.

My OT at Mary Pak had forgotten to record my appointment at 11 but was free so took me in. I now have a splint on my middle right finger. Also have some bandage for wrapping sore finger joints. She lent me a big brace for my knee but I think it is too big and I can't keep it in place. I am still icing it and it is quite a bit better tonight.

Ouch

2012-02-13T01:02:00.001-08:00

My knee is still pretty sore so I had a quiet day with an ice pack. Solved a bunch of geocaching puzzles.

Sun @ 100

2012-02-12T01:27:00.000-08:00

Had to go out to buy the Vancouver Sun today to get the 100th birthday edition. Also bought Chuck Davis's Vancouver Book with a gift certificate from John. Have been looking forward to it for ages. Good thing I had my grocery cart for it and some groceries to get back upstairs.

Solved a few puzzles, watched hockey and caught up on Scrabble games.

My left knee is really painful tonight. New exercise, stairs...?

Arthritis day

2012-02-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Spent the afternoon at Mary Pack. The first hour was a physiotherapist, who evaluated every joint and my balance. I did pretty good, except for the knees and wrists. The next hour was with an occupational therapist and she made molds of both hands to make leather braces.

Did some shopping at Granville Island and came home just as the rain started.

Keep falling asleep so it is time to stop playing games and go to bed.

Heart of the Valley

2012-02-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

Drove to Chilliwack with Pam and Lori to find the 14 caches in the Heart of the Valley series. Took us on a beautiful drive in the hills southeast of town. The final was one of cleverest we've seen. Drove about 300 km.

Came home to find 2 police officers trying to knock on a patio door. I offered to let them in the building and they were quite relieved. I'm guessing that apartment will be empty again soon.

Quiet day

2012-02-08T23:57:00.001-08:00

Rainy day, so a good one to just stay in and watch TV & read.

Better day

2012-02-08T01:27:00.000-08:00

Found 5 caches today in Queensborough & Surrey. Only had one DNF - Whalley. Still can't look for one tricky one because a homeless person and their shopping cart have set up permanent residence under the tree with the cache.

Good lunch at Swiss Chalet and did some shopping on the way home.

I am one of the 200 whose records with the genetic testing at the Cancer Agency were incomplete. I've already had a call and the deficiencies are being fixed.

DNFs

2012-02-07T01:02:00.000-08:00

Exchanged the moccasin's I got for Christmas for a bigger size at Hill's in Gastown. Headed to West Vancouver for some geocaching. Only found 2 and didn't find about 5. Not one of my better days.

Finally gave up when I spotted a new Thrifty's in North Van. Bought some groceries and then went to the Apple Store in Oakridge. Needed to take back iPad stand present that I already had and exchanged it for a mophie juice pack.

Super Bowl

2012-02-06T00:31:00.001-08:00

Stayed in to watch the Super Bowl. It didn't disappoint. Was able to see all the U.S. commercials on YouTube since most are blocked in Canada.

Best laid plans

2012-02-05T00:43:00.000-08:00

Was going out in the sunshine today but changed my mind when the phone woke me after 11. Took it as a sign to take it easy.

Watched hockey and played Scrabble.

A day of Mary's

2012-02-04T01:15:00.000-08:00

Spent a couple of hours with an OT at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre. She did an evaluation and figured what kind of help I'll need. Next appointment in a week.

Stopped at Staples for a name stamp for geocaching but they got it wrong. Some people just can't read. Found a new cache near where Dad & I used to work at the foot of Boundary. He was in Plywood & I was in White Pine - for the CNIB.

Mary McDermott's memorial was at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Might be the first time a choir has sung The Internationale there. Family and friends spoke well. Her sisters do look and talk just like her. Always good to see old friends. A very emotional night.

Vancouver caching

2012-02-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

Pam and I spent the day downtown and in Stanley Park. I found 11 and she logged 17. I had to tweet a teacher at J.O. for a hint on one. We stopped at Hamburger Mary's for a great burger lunch.

Black bean soup

2012-02-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

Just made it for the metastatic support group. Cut it too close and the women with the drinks cart ran out of hot water for my tea so had a coffee. Not the same. Interesting group today. Only knew one of the other six.

Picked up some socks at MEC and then decided to head home. Bought some soup at Liberty on Main St. Perfect comfort food.

5,000th cache

2012-02-01T00:38:00.000-08:00

Picked up Pam at her sisters and we met Lori near the Lynden Road & the outlet mall. We headed off to fill in our map between there and Lynden. There were a few we couldn't find but think they aren't there any more. Maybe the owners will replace them so we can return. My count is now 5,029 and I got my 100 for the 31st.

We were really lucky with the weather. It drizzled once in a while but the real rain didn't start until I came back over the border. Had another good lunch in Lynden.

No luck today

2012-01-31T00:04:00.001-08:00

Wandered around and looked for a few caches. Found none of them. A homeless person had set up camp right where one was hidden.

Gave up and did some needed shopping instead.

Rain again

2012-01-30T01:17:00.001-08:00

Another rainy day so stayed in and watched the Hockey All Star Game & women's soccer. Both my teams lost. Still fun to watch.

Christmas in January

2012-01-29T01:40:00.000-08:00

Picked up Pru this afternoon and we joined the family at Chris's for a January Christmas. Most of them had been in Houston for Patience's wedding. I made cranberry sauce - had to use frozen and the few fresh left didn't look good.

We had an early night. I was home by 7:30 and quite tired.

Lynden caching

2012-01-28T01:43:00.000-08:00

Logged 49 caches today with Pam & Lori around Lynden. Most were driveups and part of a group put out last Halloween. Had a good lunch at Dutch Mothers - excellent Dutch rye bread.

No trouble with the border either way due to our NEXUS cards. Did see a lot of border patrol vehicles on various side roads as we explored. Guess we didn't look suspicious.

I am feeling much better today. Still not right, but the headache finally left after the 5 am painkiller.

Headache day

2012-01-26T23:53:00.000-08:00

Woke up with a headache and it keeps coming back. Just took another Tylenol and hope to sleep it off. Still not feeling normal.

Picked up a couple of packages in Point Roberts and filled up with gas.

Met Pam and she had lunch waiting - tomato soup & grilled cheese. The ultimate comfort food. We drove to North Delta and went for a couple of caches. I climbed down a stairway I'd been down before. Remembered not being able to go the last section as the stairway stopped and it was a steep trail. Pam clambered down and found the caches.

Picked up groceries and a prescription at Safeway on the way home. Forgot to activate new Extended Health number so have to mail the claim in.

New radio

2012-01-25T23:50:00.000-08:00

Finally had the new radio I bought on Dec. 27th installed at Best Buy. It has no CD player but has a compartment for my iTouch.

Gave up trying to buy fresh cranberries. Will try again tomorrow. Bought a last Christmas present for Saturday at Chapters.

Still not feeling well and just had some chicken soup for dinner.

Dark and stormy day

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

A good day to stay inside. It never seemed to get light and the rain was really hard at times.

Was enjoying the Canucks game but got sick and had to turn it off. I think dinner didn't agree with me. A few antacids and some Tylenol helped. I curled up in my chair and dozed for a couple of hours. Couldn't lie down in bed. Feeling almost normal now.

Mary McDermott

2012-01-24T01:54:00.001-08:00

So sad to hear that Mary McDermott has died. Her stroke several years ago was a cruel blow that robbed the BC education system of a tireless advocate. She was a dear friend and a very special person.

Windy day

2012-01-23T00:32:00.000-08:00

The wind was strong all day. I stayed in and read a whole book while watching 2 football games.

BCTLA Executive

2012-01-22T00:17:00.001-08:00

Picked up Moira at 8:30 this morning. We stopped for Starbucks on our way to the BCTF building and the BCTLA Executive meeting. Day went well and we completed the 3-page agenda with an hour left over to do some work in little committees. Lunch was brought in and it was really good - salads, chicken, salmon, fruit.. Much easier than going out to a restaurant.

Some of us went to the Cactus Club for a drink and dinner.

I am so tired right now that I am heading for bed.

Wet

2012-01-20T23:58:00.000-08:00

No snow in sight around here tonight. It has been pouring all day. Luckily there wasn't that much to melt. Other areas are in danger of flooding.

Stayed in where it was warm and dry.

Deep freeze

2012-01-20T01:29:00.000-08:00

Decided to go out in the cold to deliver copies of my photos to VESTA. Vilma had asked if I had any from 2002. Decided it was easiest just to load all my union photos onto a memory stick. Had a good visit as Vilma downloaded the files.

Driving was fine. Just had to be careful walking in my lane. It was -5!!

Too cold to find caches so Pam and I worked out our plans by telephone for next week's visit to Lynden. Lori found caches in both New Jersey & New York today.

Big storm coming tonight that is supposed to turn into freezing rain later in the morning. Cancelled my appointments at Mary Pack so I can just stay in. It is snowing now.

Sadie is doing amazingly well and hasn't even taken a pain killer today. She told me that her legs don't hurt at all.

Still too cold

2012-01-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

Skipped my support group this morning as it was snowing. Decided to do the laundry. When I came back upstairs from putting it in, the snow had stopped and it was sunny. Still probably a good day to stay in.

Sadie Blue

2012-01-18T01:04:00.000-08:00

Took Starbucks to Andrea & Matt in the Children's Hospital recovery room at about 11:30. Sadie had the bolts and plates taken out of her hips this morning. She was awake and not very groggy when I arrived. She liked the box of books I brought and read a bit. Then changed to playing the DS Nintendo.

The staff were quite impressive. The doctor was pleased and the nurse listened to her complaints about pain and gave her some morphine. A physio came and explained crutches. She was doing so well that she got to go home by 2.

Picked up groceries at Granville Is. The roads were clear but it is going down to -20 with the wind chill tonight.

Icy

2012-01-17T01:07:00.000-08:00

Cold and icy out there today so just stayed safely inside. Cancelled group at the Cancer Agency as it was supposed to snow more tonight. It didn't, but the roads are still pretty slippery.

Caught up on stuff on my PVR.

Brrr

2012-01-15T23:53:00.001-08:00

Cold day and the roads are icy so I stayed safely inside.

Watched football and hockey all day.

Safety first

2012-01-15T01:12:00.000-08:00

It snowed a bit last night but none was left by the time I woke up. Since the sun was shining, I drove to Point Roberts to get a package. The lineup went out the door and out to the roadway. Far too cold to be standing in a line, so I filled up my gas tank and went back across the border.

Drove around to Surrey and encountered the snow. Looped around to New West & Burnaby but all the caches I wanted were buried and the sidewalks uncleared. Ended up at Byrne Rd & Marine Way and loaded up with groceries instead. There was no snow there but it was slippery.

Met Moira at the White Spot for dinner and there was a skiff of snow again when we left.

Bothel

2012-01-14T01:35:00.000-08:00

Met Pam and Lori in Surrey at 8 this morning and we headed down to Bothel (175 km) for a cache that Lori had already found. Pam and I needed it for a spot on our chart for Difficulty/Terrain. I logged 19 caches for the day, including a colour challenge that I finally finished (10 colours in cache names).

It was a great day. The weather was fine for us. It was cold in the morning and we were all chipping away at the skirting of a light pole when a police car drove by. Luckily he didn't notice the three guilty looking women armed with a screw driver, clippers and a grabber banging away at the pole.

Pam treated us to burgers at Red Robin and they were delicious. Part of that was we were hungry. We ended up doing some shopping at Bellis Fair and I was home at 7:30.

It is snowing now. No more caching for a few days?

Small world

2012-01-13T00:10:00.000-08:00

Needed 7 caches and decided not to drive far. Started downtown and worked my way over to Stanley Park. Eerily, Pam and Lori found several of the same caches today as they had appointments downtown.

Had lunch at Hamburger Mary's and was home by 3.

Another sunny day

2012-01-12T00:38:00.000-08:00

Needed 4 caches to reach my 100 for the 11th. Found one on Sea Island and three in Queensborough. Didn't find a couple.

Came home and fell asleep. At least it was in front of a taped show so I could rewind.

2.7 km

2012-01-10T23:50:00.000-08:00

Went out with Lori and Pam this morning to do the first part of a new series along trails on the north side of Sea Island. The idea was to walk part way and then go back to my car. They would continue to the end, where they had left a car. In the end, I did it all and then another part that was a few kilometres away. Definitely the farthest I've walked in some time. It helped to have someone to talk to and it was a nice flat trail. Ended up with 13 caches.

Drove to Steveston and had a late lunch at Dave's as a reward. Also found a new cache a short distance away.

4,900 caches

2012-01-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

Wandered around Vancouver, Burnaby & New West looking for caches. Found 6. Only one eluded me because my hands wouldn't twist enough into a hole under a child's playground horse.

Stopped at the Waffle House for lunch and then had my haircut at Mei Hsu's new shop on Fraser St. Made it home in time to see the Canucks lose an easy one.

Sleepy Sunday

2012-01-09T00:56:00.001-08:00

Didn't do much today. Just read and watched TV. Played some Scrabble and Bejewelled. Didn't need any caches as I have over 100 on this day of the month.

Scrabble day

2012-01-08T01:57:00.000-08:00

Someone seemed to be playing Scrabble with me all day. Tonight it was Chris and she has finally given up so I can go to bed.

Canucks had a great game this morning in Boston. Went out geocaching once it finished but the rain started. Found one and failed on 3. Gave up and picked up groceries at Safeway on the way home. Some days you just don't have it!

Small world

2012-01-07T00:45:00.000-08:00

Failed to find a cache near the cemetary at 41st & Fraser today. Got to ground zero but no bells rang. Found a couple in Queensborough just before the rain started.

Kept changing my mind what to do next and finally stopped at Tim Horton's for some takeout lunch. Anni & Lori were sitting in the window right in front of where I parked. The odds of running into 2 people from Ladner and Burnaby in New Westminster?

Did some shopping at Walmart and Staples on the way home.

Surrey day

2012-01-06T00:13:00.000-08:00

Slept in this morning. Met Lori & Pam at Pam's house. We were going to do puzzles for a bit but it wasn't raining and we set out to Surrey. Found a total of 11 caches, including several puzzles we solved. Finally finished at dark. Need one more on this date (5th) to get to 100. Next month!

Easy drive home through the tunnel. Don't know where the traffic was.

Dentist

2012-01-05T00:57:00.000-08:00

Six month checkup and cleaning today. Suzy adjusted my plate. Worried I might need a new one but it seems fine now.

Bought some groceries at Granville Island and found a cache near the Maritime Museum. Checked my VPL app on the way home and saw that my reserved book was in. I only ordered it yesterday. We need it to solve a puzzle. I read the whole book this afternoon and got the coordinates but they didn't work in the Checker. The owner was quick to answer my query and said that I had the right numbers.

Recovery day

2012-01-04T00:38:00.000-08:00

Caught up on my sleep and didn't get dressed today. Caught up on newspapers and played a bunch of Scrabble games with several friends.

Juniour Hockey game was a treat. Too bad they couldn't play another 5 minutes - they might have caught the Russians.

Shopping day

2012-01-03T01:02:00.000-08:00

Jesse couldn't find the house key and phoned at 2:30 about it. Must teach him how to think more creatively. Had trouble getting back to sleep. Finally got up about 9:30.

We spent quite a bit of time the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall. I bought sweaters, underwear, a coat and towells. Everything was on sale. It wasn't as busy as yesterday had been. One clerk thanked us for spending money to help their economy.

Ate a late lunch, early dinner at the Shrimp Shack in Bellingham and then spent more money in Trader Joe's. Stopped at duty free for a bottle. Took about 15 minutes to get through the border line.

Jesse met us to help carry all the luggage in. He promised to cook me a gourmet meal to make up for waking me up.

Did well for weather. It started raining as we left Trader Joe's. First rain all weekend.

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T00:26:00.000-08:00

Had a long sleep and just made breakfast. It stayed dry and almost sunny all day so I decided not to shop. Did go by big mall and it was full.

Found 10 caches and went back to the hotel a few times for a rest.

Met Pru, Lucas, Jesse and Patrick at SeaTac at 21:45. Glad Pru and I just had to drive to Lynnwood.

Blackout Calendar

2011-12-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

Left before dawn this morning and watched the sun rise as I headed to Peace Arch. Drove right through the NEXUS lane with a slight pause to say Happy New Year. We really expected more traffic. I don't think I've ever driven up without having to wait for another car. Met Pam at the outlet mall and we started on the road to Lynden. Pam had a plan and I logged 21 by the time I had her back at her car at exactly noon. I've now found a cache on every day in the year except Feb. 29th I now have to work on getting each column to add up to 100 (all the 1sts, 2nds...). I already have 100 in each month. I need 28 tomorrow but think it'll be raining. Shopping instead?

Found the finals for a couple of challenges (250 on one day & 10 colours in Washington) but can't log the 2nd one until the owner approves my list. That puts me at 4,867 total finds.

Stopped at the Shrimp Shack in Bellingham for lunch. Arrived at my hotel in Lynwood just as the sun went down. The Jr Hockey game between Canada and the U.S. wasn't on TV so I went to Applebee's for dinner at 6. Back in time for the Canucks game. They aren't playing well. Too many shots allowed on our net and not enough on theirs.

Bought a bottle of bubbly so I can toast 2012. Dad was born 101 years ago today. I always miss him on this night.

New splint

2011-12-30T23:51:00.000-08:00

Went to a hand specialist at Westside Physio and bought a Thumb Support to help with the ostioarthritis in my wrist and thumb. An insert was molded to my hand so it it pretty comfortable. I have lost a lot of range of motion of my right hand and it is quite a bit weaker than the left. Ran into Mary Locke in the waiting room.

Picked Moira up at Oakridge and we had dinner at White Spot. Played Scrabble on our iPad & iPhone while eating.

One more to go

2011-12-30T00:39:00.000-08:00

Found three caches along a waterfront trail in Queensborough this morning. I now need one on Saturday to fill up my calendar. Feb 29th is a bonus day that I can get in 2012.

It started to rain so I headed home, stopping at Boston Pizza for lunch.

Four more caches

2011-12-29T00:35:00.001-08:00

Wasn't raining this morning so I headed for a series of four easy "Rainy Day" caches in Cloverdale. All were easy drive-ups.

Circled back through New Westminster and had liver & onions at The Waffle House.

Boxing Day Week

2011-12-28T00:26:00.000-08:00

I like listening to books on tape from the library and have been using my old iTouch. The latest updates to the software no longer work on it. My newer iTouch works with the new OverDrive Media Console but it doesn't work with the car radio. Neither does my iPhone. It is an evil plot.

Decided the solution is to buy a new radio so headed for the sales at Best Buy. My current radio has a line into the glove box that plugs into the iTouch. Bought a new Sony radio that has a compartment to hold the player. It doesn't have a CD Player but I can't remember the last time I played a CD in the car. I have to wait to get it installed (1/2 price). The installer will call after he deals with all the Boxing Day sales.

Had to come home again as I forgot my GPS units. Found a cache in Queensborough just as the rain began. Three more to go!

Hockey Day

2011-12-27T01:25:00.000-08:00

Good day to watch hockey. It was raining outside and I didn't need a cache for the day. Canadian Juniors are always fun to watch and they beat Finland. Then the Canucks took care of Edmonton.

Finished the turkey leftovers for dinner.

Quiet Christmas

2011-12-26T01:21:00.000-08:00

Drove to Queensborough before the rain to grab today's cache. Need 4 more to fill my calendar - except for Feb. 29th! Funny driving by all the closed stores.

Decided not to go to busy movie theatre and just stay home to watch some. Saw Last Holiday, Finding Neverland and The Help. All good, especially The Help. Loved the book and was worried the movie wouldn't do it justice but it was great.
Had a big turkey sandwich for dinner on my homemade bread.

Christmas dinner

2011-12-25T00:34:00.000-08:00

I finally gave up waiting for the rain to stop and went out for a cache on the way to Matt's. Lori figured out a puzzle in North Surrey and I just had to go for it to see what we missed on Thursday. One of the best hides ever!

Then over the Port Mann to get to Matt's. Traffic was really light but there was a lot of rain. We had a perfect turkey dinner and the kids enjoyed the craft stuff I put together for them. Creative duo. Sadie played some pieces on the piano for me and then just started improvising. Don't think she is supposed to know how to do that at 6! Came away with leftovers and lots of treats. Never did get to make my own shortbread this year. Did make the cranberry sauce and kept some. Made bread tonight so I can have it on my turkey sandwich tomorrow.

Good checkup

2011-12-23T23:27:00.000-08:00

Louise met me at Fairmont for my appointment with my oncologist. Karen noted that I must have been nervous as this is the first time I have brought someone. It helped that they were friends.

The Tamoxifen is working! The cancer in my lung "is no longer seen". Other nodes have either stayed the same or have shrunk. My tumour markers have dropped a bit for the first time in months. If the two nodes I can feel get worse I am to call. Otherwise, she'll check them again next visit. The plan is to keep on with the Tamoxifen. All in all, a good outcome.

Louise took me out for coffees to celebrate and then I bought some groceries at Granville Island.

I'm pretty tired tonight. Probably partly because of the stress leading up to this appointment. Still managed to make the cranberry sauce but haven't wrapped the presents yet. Tomorrow morning will do.

Cougar Canyon

2011-12-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

Picked up Lori & Pam at Sungod this morning and we worked our way around Delta & Surrey. Found a couple in Cougar Canyon, behind Matt & Mike's elementary school. Lori braved the slippery path.

Finished my Christmas shopping at Chapters and then had to go to a couple of stores before I found pecans for my cranberry sauce. Picked up Chinese food and was home by 4:30.

So tired I fell asleep watching Rachel Maddow and had to rewind it.

Long walk

2011-12-22T00:59:00.000-08:00

Went to the end of River Road past Westham Island to look for snowy owls. Although several people said there were a lot, I never did see one. There were a lot of hawks hunting so maybe they were laying low. I did find the cache I was looking for. After a while I realized I was close to another one so kept going. I walked 1.6 km by the time I got back to the car.

Picked up a few things at M&M Meats on the way home.

Fort Langley

2011-12-21T00:37:00.000-08:00

Started the day with bloodwork at the Cancer Agency. Quiet place today.

Drove to Fort Langley to do some shopping and found a nice easy cache. Wandered home the long way and shopped in Aldergrove and Cloverdale. A day for small stores.

Home by 4.

Missions accomplished

2011-12-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

Had a list and did it all! Started with a stop at Cobb's in Richmond Centre for tonight's treats. Parked in a handicapped spot right by the door. I then went to Richmond Country Farms and found local cranberries and good ginger - big improvement over the poor offerings at Safeway.

Picked up my last package at TSB. Missed Kathryn by 30 minutes. The line snaked around inside but when I left it went right out to the road. Timed it just right. Filled up with gas and met Pam for a cache grab. We weren't having much luck and had to phone Lori for some help.

Home to rest and then to Dr. Watterson, my rheumatologist. He said the pain in my hand and wrist were osteoarthritis and wants me to wear a splint all the time. I'll get one made on December 30th. I'll continue the pills for the rheumatoid arthritis and see him again in May.

Home again for a couple of hours and then met Louise at the Cactus Club. Our group met at the Cancer Agency and we all had brought treats.

Made it home in time for the 3rd period of the hockey game.

Queensborough

2011-12-18T00:16:00.000-08:00

Took another drive to Queensborough for an easy cache to fill today's calendar slot. 9 more to go and then Feb. 29th as a bonus day.

Stopped at Byrne Rd. to shop at London Drugs and Cobbs.

Enjoyed Canucks and Toronto game.

Laundry day

2011-12-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

Slept in and had a lazy morning. Did 2 loads of laundry at noon.

Dinner at Applause with Moira & Philomena.

Have been able to feel a tumour for a couple of weeks. Glad I see oncologist on Friday.

Another geocaching Thursday

2011-12-16T01:25:00.000-08:00

Had a good sleep last night after a busy day. Met Pam & Lori in Delta and we found a bunch of caches that some or all of us needed. I counted 9. There were a few that I didn't attempt and waited in the car while the intrepid duo braved the ravines.

We had a short day and I was home before 4. Tired but not as bad as yesterday.

Home again

2011-12-15T00:54:00.000-08:00

Up early and took Pru to SeaTac. Realized afterwards that we were really early for her flight. Should have checked the time again and gone to Starbucks on the way. At least we checked the bags curbside and she had a good book to read. Traffic was heavy but we could use the high occupancy lane.

Meandered home and found 6 caches. Stopped in Arlington for lunch.

Started getting quite tired so headed home early. Only a 10 minute wait at the border with my NEXUS. Arrived home just before 4 and avoided the rain. Tired enough to fall asleep before dinner.

Lynnwood

2011-12-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

Had a quiet day and picked up Pru at 2:00 for her trip to SeaTac. The border wasn't too bad. Couldn't use my NEXUS since she didn't have one.

Stopped at Barnes & Noble near Bellis Fair. Found a cache just a few blocks away fo fill in today's date on the calendar.

We are in the Best Western in Lynnwood - used my VISA points. Listened to the end of the Canucks game on my iPad and then went out to Applebee's for dinner. Discovered Lemon Drop Martini!

Cinnamon makes you smarter

2011-12-13T00:38:00.000-08:00

Picked up a latte and arrived at Weir in time for recess. Had a good visit and picked up my Purdy's order.

Stopped at VanCity and then Characters (for a book, soup & cinnamon bun) on the way home.

2011-12-12T00:53:00.000-08:00

Went to Sadie's first piano recital in Port Moody this afternoon. She nailed Jolly Old St. Nick.

Took them all to the White Spot for dinner to celebrate. Back to the house for a visit for a couple of hours.

Attended a geocaching event with Pam at the Best Western near Lougheed Mall. We searched for the clues to a cache hidden across the street and exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Several familiar faces there.

Really tired and glad to get home.

EnChor

2011-12-11T00:46:00.001-08:00

Found today's cache under the Welcome to Kitsilano sign near the Burrard St. Bridge - also a dead seagull!

Enjoyed the Open House at Callanish in the afternoon. EnChor was singing again. Met several old friends. Such a welcoming building. Hope to go on an alumni retreat in May.

White Spot

2011-12-10T00:13:00.001-08:00

Quiet day today after a busy week. Did some paperwork and picking up stuff.

Met Moira at White Spot for dinner.

Still caches left in Surrey

2011-12-09T01:40:00.001-08:00

Picked up Lori and Pam at our usual Starbucks and we started our day at the Scholastic Book Sale in Surrey. My handicapped tag got us parked next to the door instead of a couple of blocks away. Came away with a couple of bags of presents.

Lunch was a grilled cheese at the Wired Monk. Nice to have free WiFi. I passed another milestone and have 4,804 finds. A few times I sat in the illegally parked car while the other two dashed for the cache. Saved a lot of walking. My favourite part was the walk was around Stokes Pitt. Hope they are able to save it from development.

Another lunch

2011-12-08T00:29:00.001-08:00

Took transit to our last metastatic support group this year. I'll miss it for the next few weeks. It always grounds me and sets me up for the days following. We had lunch at Milestone's, courtesy of the donors who run the annual Cancer Busters dance.

Rode Canada Line downtown and found a cache near the Post Office. Bought a 2012 Olympic sweatshirt for 1/2 price at the Bay. Home in about 30 minutes.

Really tired tonight.

Long day

2011-12-07T00:25:00.001-08:00

Went to the Agency for a CT-Scan this morning. Hardest part is reaching above my head and staying still. My shoulders don't like it! Met Mae and Darline briefly.

I missed the Status of Women's little ceremony at the memorial at the Marker of Change in Thornton Park honouring the women murdered in the Polytechnique massacre. I met them after at the Rhizome Cafe. Very different spot and worth a visit. I had a Grilled Apple sandwich with carmelized onions, melted jack cheese and spinach.

Just made it to my GP's office in time for my appointment for a flu shot. I described what happened Friday night and he says food poisoning. I was sure sick enough for that.

Friends

2011-12-06T01:03:00.001-08:00

Pam and I found a Puzzle Cache solution in Burnaby this morning and that got me enough to finish a Challenge. We looked at another one that nearby but it looked too dangerous with the wet leaves on a steep trail.

Met Georgina, Marilyn and Anni for lunch. The first 2 restaurants don't open on Mondays, so we ended up in a little Japanese one that turned out to be really good. A big bowl of chicken udon did me for lunch and I took half home for dinner. The old chicken soup was the perfect food for me today. We also bought some stuff in Inno Bakery that I parked near. I saved that one in my GPS.

Took 35 minutes to drive home. I am not back to normal but am a lot better than I was.

Headache

2011-12-05T00:15:00.001-08:00

Had a long sleep but woke up with a headache that keeps coming back. Time for another painkiller and bed.

Quick trip to Queensborough for a drive-up cache.

Sick day

2011-12-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Bad day today. Started throwing up at midnight and finished at 6 am. Couldn't even keep water down. Very little sleep so spent most of the day dozing in front of the TV. Finally managed some tea and digestive cookies.

Needed a cache today so went for a close one in Richmond. Picked up some bread and ginger ale and then home. Still feeling shaky. Early to bed tonight.

Blaine in the sun

2011-12-02T23:40:00.001-08:00

Up early to have my port flushed at the Cancer Agency. Picked up Lori & Pam in Surrey and we headed across the line for a very productive day of caching. We stuck near Blaine & Birch Bay. What a gorgeous day along the seashore.

Home by 5 and rested for a bit before heading out for dinner with women I knew from VESTA. There were about 20 of us at Szechuan Chongqing.

Something has upset my gut and I've just been throwing up. Food, tired...?

What keys?

2011-12-02T00:13:00.001-08:00

Picked Lori & Pam up at Sungod in Surrey and we spent the day finding puzzle caches. The had to do a few without me as it was too steep and slippery. Took Lori back to her car at 1:30 and Pam & I continued around Cloverdale.

After dropping Pam off in Ladner, came home through the tunnel. Traffic wasn't too bad there but a problem at the Oak St. Bridge. Made it home only to realize I didn't have my house keys. They weren't on the hook in my trunk where I usually put them. Had to walk around Marine Dr. to get to the front door. Someone finally let me in and I called the Manager. He was in Richmond but was there in about 15 minutes. His wife had found the keys in my mailbox lock. Duh! I've found a few sets there myself.

Harrison

2011-12-01T01:05:00.001-08:00

Beautiful day for a drive. Found a cache on the way to Chilliwack. Had lunch at the airport - cream of mushroom & leek soup!

Headed back after a swim at Harrison. Tried a couple of other caches but it failed and it started getting late. Home by 6.

Pasta Tuesday

2011-11-30T00:50:00.001-08:00

Met Karen C at the Boston Pizza at Market Crossing in Burnaby for Pasta Tuesday. We compared our GPS units and got caught up. Always nice to speak to someone with the same problems. I spend a lot of time with cancer patients but hardly ever taught about my arthitis.

Picked up a couple of presents at TSB in Point Roberts and filled up with gas at $1.09. Took a second try at a cache I'd not been able to find in Beach Grove. Had it quickly this time.

Then I made the mistake of going to Canadian Tire. Once again, I stomped out frustrated and empty handed. Poor staff and too many things in locked cabinets. Picked up present at Chapters but gave up on the 2 kids books I wanted. Crappy organization of shelves and no staff. Kidsbooks will calm me down.

Airport pickup

2011-11-29T01:09:00.001-08:00

Picked up Chris and Yuriko on their way home from Japan. So nice to just wait for text message that they were taxiing and then finished with customs before leaving. I was loading them in the car in about 10 minutes.

Picked up a cache beginning with L in Richmond. Needed it for an alphabet challenge. Did some shopping at Save-On.

Lions Roar!

2011-11-28T00:09:00.001-08:00

Watched the Grey Cup with Pru today. What a great win. The coach deserves everything he gets for turning the team around after such a weak start. Always better enjoying such games with someone else.

Caching in the Rain

2011-11-26T23:52:00.001-08:00

Lori and I needed one for this date so we all went out to find a couple. Not so bad in the forest.

Picked up food at M & M and Cobbs and headed home to dry off.

Enjoyed the Canucks 4th win in a row! Now for football!!

Squamish drive

2011-11-26T01:03:00.001-08:00

The day was sparkling so I drove to Squamish. Unbelievable views but few spots for photos. I remember the days when the viewpoints were new and included Kodak Moment signs. Suicidal to try for a good shot now.

Found a couple of caches in Squamish and bought a needed present in Britannia Beach. Had lunch at Troll's in Horseshoe Bay.

There was a stall on Lions' Gate so I went through N Van to Ironworkers. Smooth sailing and even bought some sweaters on sale at Mark's.

Inside Geocaching

2011-11-25T01:05:00.001-08:00

Weather foul today so we worked at Pam's house after she and Lori found a cache in Richmond. I didn't need one today. We worked on our computer programs and solved some puzzles.

Big traffic jam at tunnel so I took River Road to the Fraser Bridge. No traffic at all for first part and then big jam. Inched forward forever - took over an hour!. Luckily Pam sent leftover soup with me. It sure tasted good when I got home.

Christmas shopping

2011-11-24T00:57:00.001-08:00

Picked up another 2 presents at TSB Shipping in Point Roberts. Almost done my Christmas shopping! Two more should arrive on Monday. Filled up with gas at $1.12/litre.

Found a cache in Ladner and then back through the tunnel. Stopped at Oakridge for a bit of shopping and then home.

Quiet day

2011-11-23T01:25:00.001-08:00

Stayed in and watched TV all day. Didn't even get dressed.

Need a cache tomorrow and will pick up a package in Point Roberts.

Stormy weather

2011-11-22T00:59:00.001-08:00

The storms are coming in back-to-back for a while. It's now too warm for snow but there is lots of rain and wind coming tonight.

Found today's hide in a geocacher's front yard. Couldn't open the container. Must get big wrench for the trunk.

Bought some stuff at Ming Wo's, including a steak knive & a small chef's knive. They are from Japan and really light. It is getting harder to cut meat as my right hand is so weak. They were expensive but on sale. This is my Christmas present.

Met Louise at Cactus Club for dinner and then we went to our group. We ran it ourselves and there were 3 others. Think we did a good job.

Lions roar

2011-11-21T00:52:00.001-08:00

Great day - 2 football games & hockey. Enjoyed the Lions teaching Edmonton how to play for the win. What a great team. One more to go!

Even the Canucks played better tonight.

Solved a few puzzles while watching.

Election Day

2011-11-20T00:02:00.001-08:00

Looked for today's cache in Richmond and gave up after about 40 minutes. Pam has told me where to look. I was on the right track but gave up when a woman with her dog came. I'll try again! Went for an easy one at Hastings Mill Store.

Weird election results. The mayor and all the Vision candidates won but we lost some good COPE people.

Laundry day

2011-11-18T23:17:00.001-08:00

Did a couple of loads of laundry this morning. Should have done a load of towels and sweatshirts but didn't want to do the stairs any more.

Found today's cache in Steveston and then did some grocery shopping on the way home.

Caching Thursday

2011-11-18T01:24:00.001-08:00

Met Lori and Pam at Sungod in Delta. We found some puzzles and other caches in Surrey. Stopped at Boston Pizza for lunch. Bought groceries at Safeway on the way home. There was snow on tonight's news but none here.

Ready for snow

2011-11-16T23:15:00.001-08:00

Went to metastatic support group at the Cancer Agency this morning. A small but intense session today.

Took my car to Open Road for its service. Had the snow tires mounted and the front brakes changed. Walked across the way to a coffee shop for lunch at 1 and the car was finished at 4. Read my newspapers on the iPad.

Voted

2011-11-16T00:16:00.001-08:00

Went to an advance poll at the new Sunset Community Centre. Had to wait in a line - a good sign.

Picked up a couple of Christmas presents in Point Roberts and loaded up on gas ($1.12). Border was pretty quick.

Had lunch at Boston Pizza in Richmond. Good deal on Pasta Tuesday and took half home for dinner. Found a nearby cache.

Not feeling great by this time so headed home. Think I might be having hot flashes from Tamoxifen.

Blah day

2011-11-15T01:37:00.001-08:00

Couldn't get motivated to do much of anything today. Made myself take out the garbage and go to White Spot for dinner. Perked me up.

Sports day

2011-11-13T23:54:00.001-08:00

Loved it - 2 big football games and then the Canucks having a great game. Next weekend we'll take on the Eskimos for the Western Final!

Sleepy day

2011-11-13T00:56:00.001-08:00

Rainy day and nothing to take me out. Stayed in and watched PVR. Enjoyed Passchendaele.

Silver Lake

2011-11-12T00:43:00.001-08:00

Picked up Pam this morning at 8 and we headed for Peace Arch. There was already a 1 1/2 hour wait but we have NEXUS. Went down the edge of the road, past the big line, and got into the NEXUS lane by the duty free. The wait was under 15 minutes. Worth every penny.

It was raining but we stopped for a few caches that were close to the road as we made our way to Silver Lake. Our last stop was at Maple Falls for hot drinks and scones. We arrived to find the parking lot pretty empty but cars soon began pulling in. We were there for an 11-11-11 Event. We went to one last year for 10-10-10 but it wasn't registered as an event. We should get a nice souvenir on our geocaching page for finding caches today.

Luckily, we were in a picnic shelter with a fire to warm us. There were even S'mores for the kids. We started with a moment of silence for Remembrance/ Veterans' Day. There were prizes and I won a $10 gift certificate to CachingContainers.com in Abbotsford. Sweet Marie was there and we met several others whose names we knew. Titelines had just been on the ET Hwy and it was COLD! Our timing was perfect.

Pam and I found 3 of the 11 new caches put out but were cold and wet. We'll come back for the rest on a sunny day. We headed back home and stopped in Lynden for a hot lunch. We also found a few more caches.

The weather was wild on the drive back. The wind was really strong in spots. In one place the leaves and bits of the trees were filling the sky and it was like driving through a tornado. The waves were rough near Blaine but the sun was shining and there was fresh snow on the local mountain.

I logged 17 caches today, for a total of 4,735. Not bad!

Caching with Pam

2011-11-10T23:23:00.001-08:00

Met Pam near Bryne Road & Marine Way. We found a bunch of caches in Burnaby & New West. Both of us found some that had eluded us. Met Sweet Marie at one on the riverbank. She had a moment of anger that a Muggle was standing right where she needed to go, but then recognized me. She is going to 11-11-11 event in Washington and we have decided to go, rain or not.

Had lunch at the Waffle House. Didn't stay out too late. I was pretty tired all day.

Starbucks & iPhone

2011-11-09T23:59:00.001-08:00

Used my iPhone to pay for my latte this morning. They just scanned the barcode on the screen & the cost came off my active card. Love it.

Picked up a parcel in Point Roberts and then looked for a cache in Beach Grove. No success after about 1/2 an hour. Pam was the last one to find it but I couldn' see it where she saw it.

Found an easy drive up along River Road in Richmond and stopped along Marine Way at Byrne Road for groceries and London Drugs.

Last checkup of 2011

2011-11-09T00:47:00.000-08:00

Saw an oncologist today for my checkup. She didn't find any lymph nodes and was satisfied with how I looked. My tumour markers have stayed the same for the last 3 tests. I've lost some weight. I'm to continue on the Tamoxifen and come back in 2 months. I still have a CT Scan in December to check on what was showing in my lung.

I had a headache that kept me up last night. It was still there this morning and I spent some time in the bathroom. Think it might have been nerves. Here is today's horoscope:

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You might feel worried today. Perhaps you’ve lost your self-confidence. You're second-guessing yourself. This is no big deal – we all have days like this. Don't beat yourself up about it. “Hakuna Matata!” (No worries.)

Found today's cache in Richmond and did some grocery shopping.

Feeling better tonight.