Reunion - Day Two

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

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

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

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

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

Thomas Family Reunion - Saturday

Family Reunion begins

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

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

Thomas Family Reunion

Family time

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

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

Sea-Tac

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

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

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

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

Drive to Sea-Tac

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Canada Day

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

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

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

Great holiday

Had a perfect little holiday this weekend.

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

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

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



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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelowna Trip

Kelowna

I am sitting in the compter lab in Kelowna Secondary working on BC Teacher-Librarian Association web site stuff with Al & Angie.

Last night we had a barbecue and sat by the lake. Today was breakfast at Kaye's.

Great drive here. Lunch at Manning Park and then north from Princeton to catch the highway to Kelowna. I am staying on the beach with Angie in Westbank

Where did the sun go?

Cloudy all day today. Went shopping at Richmond Centre and walked the whole mall and then to London Drugs for what I forgot yesterday.

Met Moira at Applause for dinner.

Road trip to Westbank/Kelowna tomorrow to consult with Angie & Al on the BCTLA web page and stuff.

Another sunny day

Had to go out to buy the Sun & Province since the online version didn't work for me today.

Started getting things ready for my trip to Westbank/Kelowna this weekend.

Had dinner at Dave's Fish & Chips in Steveston and then shopping at London Drugs.

Kidsbooks

Shopped at COSTCO this morning and picked up 4 reserves at VPL. Nice to be able to sit in the warm sun to read this afternoon (Madness, Betrayal and the Lash).

Stopped at the post office to pick up British Columbia: Spirit of the People by one of my favourite local authors, Jean Barman. Arrived at Weir by 4 and visited a bit. Put all my photos from the retirement on the staffroom computer. They are showing them at the Friday breakfast.

Nancy and I had dinner at Maria's Taverna on 4th and then went to Vancouver Kidsbooks. Former Principal Vi Hughes read from her new book, Graveyard Hounds. The book sounds like a winner. Sharon Scott was also there. Haven't seen her since my retirement party.

George Carlin - RIP

All the YouTube of Carlin disappeared but there are great video & audio clips at http://www.georgecarlin.com/ Do you remember the 7 words you couldn't say on public airwaves?

Hauled my laundry to my favourite laundromat only to find it closed and gutted. Went to another in the same block. Won't go back. It was clean but old and sad.

Mary Polack as Minister of "Healthy Living"! Is this the reward for wasting millions in Surrey School Board money fighting a few picture books depicting gay parents. I went to every day of the trial and she was always there taking notes.

Remember the Bigots Ban Books campaign? This should take away any gay votes from the Liberals.

Met Louise, Gwen & Katherine for dinner at the Cactus Club. Our cancer support group was cancelled this month, so we had our own meeting.

I'm Voting Republican

No Cleaner

My house cleaner hasn't come for 5 weeks, so I'll have to do some laundry tomorrow again. Hate the stairs.

Nice to be able to sit in the sun on my balcony. Spent the day updating my music for my iPod and reading.

Red Cross

Didn't post last night. I was so tired I went to bed early without thinking of it.

I was up early and started with breakfast at IHOP in Brentwood Mall. Arrived at the Red Cross at 8:30 and was met by Emma, the new Training and Development Coordinator. We had an hour to deal with setup glitches. I taught the class on working in the Call Centre. It was much easier this time even though it took forever for the Telus CallCentreAnywhere program to load on my laptop and I had to adlib without the projections. I find it quite irritating to hear talk show hosts complain that people don't volunteer anymore. They just don't hang around in the right places. The Red Cross depends on volunteers and they always seem to find plenty.

Stopped at Brentwood to shop and then home. Fell asleep watching the baseball game.

Moira and I had dinner at the White Spot. Her dog is sick and she didn't have the energy to cook. Neither did I!

Weir Retirements

Can't get my new stereo to record and don't know what to do with it now. Too heavy to carry and don't know where to return it. I'll call the 1-800 number and see what they say.

Went to the Weir retirement party at Anita's tonight. Nice to see so many old friends.

2008 Weir Retirement Party

Tumour Markers

Karen called to say the tumour markers are still falling and are now basically normal:

CA 15-3: 310 - 150 - 53 - 28

CEA: 39 - 21 - 8.7 - 3.5

Six reserves arrived at the library for me today. I picked up 3 of them and will get the rest next week. I stopped reading the stupid one I'd been slogging through called Secret Societies and am enjoying Barbara Walters', Audition: A Memoir.

To Oakridge to use the gift certificate Vancouver TLs gave me for HMV. Picked up a prescription at Safeway and then filled up with gas ($50!).

Delivered a box of books from Victoria to Matt and visited a bit. He sent me home with fresh baked cookies!

CheckUp

Arrived at the Cancer Agency for blood tests at 7:45. Mae called to make sure I was up. I am not used to these early mornings.

Saw my oncologist at 8:45. She is very pleased at how I am doing. Whatever I've been doing, I am to continue.

Karen says the breast cancer is the same as the one in 1990 - 1993 was a different kind. She thinks that the Tamoxifen that I had for 5 years after 1993 depressed the cancer, as did menopause after the hysterectomy in 2000. It was then free to start spreading.

The fact that it reacted so dramatically to this new treatment is promising and she says we will just continue with the trial I am on. If the tumour markers move up a bit we won't worry. If they spike up then I'll be taken off the trial and we'll try another drug. Sounds like a plan to me.

I stopped at the VBE to return World Without End to Moira. The Superintendent, Chris Kelly, was having a party in the lobby to thank the staff for the work of the past year. I got coffee, cake & a great speech. He spoke earlier this morning at the Metro Vancouver Sustainability Discussion Forum. He needs teachers to hear his message. Maybe speeches like this should be taped & available on the VBE website.

Did some shopping at Chapters and Granville Island and then home.

If you want to have a treat open http://www.vanaqua.org/belugacam/ and just keep it in a corner of your desktop.

Bedtime Was When?

I don't want to admit when I went to bed last night. I was home by 11:30 and then edited and posted my photos. I finished reading World Without End because I just had to find out what happened to all the characters. Of course, then I had to take my turn in my 37 Scrabulous games on Facebook.

Needless to say I didn't want to get up when the crows started at 6:00. I went back to sleep until 10:30 and decided to not even get dressed today.

I watched soccer & baseball and started a new book. Enjoyed the American Film Institute (AFI) show, AFI’s 10 TOP 10.

Have to be up early tomorrow for my 28 day check-up.

VESTA Retirement Dinner

Still trying to finish my book and I am getting close. My postie brought my new Memorex Turntable CD Recorder with Cassette Player and Analog Tuning AM/FM Radio and carried it upstairs for me. She said it was too heavy (16.5 kg) to put down, just lead the way! Now that is service! I can now burn a CD from a cassette or from a record with the push of a button.

The VESTA Retirement dinner was at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. Great view from the balcony. Saw many old friends, retired and retiring. The speeches of the retirees were as entertaining as usual but it took until 10:00 to hear them all there were so many going this year. Susan Lambert, the BCTF VP was inspiring and should have been speaking to new teachers.

I took a lot of photos. This was the first time for my new flash and I wasn't totally satisfied with my work. I threw out a bunch. When I went outside for some shots I put the setting on landscape and forgot to put it back on people, so I had to deal with red eye on the later photos. Just shows that the setting does work.

2008 VESTA Retirement Dinner

Luckily I left late and saw that Heather had a flat tire. She used my cell and I kept her company until the BCAA changed it. Worth every penny of the annual fee on nights like this.

Car-Free Vancouver Day

I celebrated Car-Free Vancouver Day by staying home. Sat in the sun on the balcony and read. I figure I did my bit by not driving at all this weekend.

Also watched Turkey come back from a 2-0 score with 15 minutes to go & win, Toronto lose, Tiger tie & South Pacific win.

Sunny Saturday

Spent some time reading on the balcony today.

I have some mild side effects, so stayed in and didn't do much at all except read and watch soccer and baseball.

Summer close

Sat on the balcony in the sun for a while today. Summer is close!

Library and Safeway this morning.

Met Moira and her daughter for dinner at the White Spot tonight - taco salad. She let me borrow her copy of World Without End, the sequel to Pillars of the Earth. That should take care of this weekend.

I have to go back to my doctor Monday or Tuesday. I thought I had another refill on my esomeprazole (Nexium®), but don't. I am going to ask if I just keep taking it forever or do we try stopping. This is the one for the hiatus hernia.

"Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a newer class of medication. They work by blocking an enzyme necessary for acid secretion...PPIs have emerged as the most effective therapy for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, as well as healing and preventing damage to the esophagus in people with hiatus hernia."

It's a good thing I have Extended coverage - it costs $67.40/28 days and I only pay $20.22 now I've passed my deductable of $300.

Cleaning

Met Diane at Weir and we had lunch at Van Ya Japanese Restaurant. As good as always!

Picked up cleaning stuff at Canadian Tire and tackled my balcony. Ignored it last summer so it needed a lot of work. Too close to a big tree that sheds and no drainage when it rains.

Forgiveness

I was mesmerized by the 2 hours of action in the House of Commons today. It is about time that the government apologized for the Indian Residential School system. What a moment in history!

I actually stayed a few nights in the Thomas Simpson Federal School (now the Thomas Simpson Secondary school) in the summer of 1966. I was part of a group in Fort Simpson, NWT for a Centennial Exchange tour. The sheets were rough flannel and the mattresses were covered with rubber. We were so far north there were blackout curtains on the windows. The nuns were in full habit and only spoke French - they were quite scary when we came upon them in the corridors.

I am feeling better today than I have for the last 2 days. I am never sure if what is wrong is me or side effects. As long as they go away!

RTA

My GP got the rest of the wax out of my ear and I can hear everything again.

The Vancouver Branch of the Retired Teachers' Assoc. had their AGM & Luncheon today at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Every time I go I meet another old friend. The oldest person there was 101 - 42 years to go!

Eh?

Visited my GP this mornings. I can almost hear again but have to go back tomorrow after putting more olive oil in my left ear. The right one is now clear. I went home and turned down my TV & radios.

Half way through Pillars of the Earth. I have to get through the 1000 pages in 7 days since it is a Quick Read from the library.

Happy Birthday, Pru

Quiet day reading.

Went to Pru's 60th birthday party at the Sandhu's tonight. Luke & Jesse were also there. I will catch up to Pru next April. I guess I have to respect my elder again until then.

Front row, far right

The Universal Gospel Choir

My ears are a bit better today. I read the newspapers and finished my book, the newest Anne Perry, Buckingham Palace Gardens. Picked up The Pillars of the Earth at VPL as I saw a review of Ken Follett's newest on the Black Death. It is a sequel so I need to read the first one first.

Picked up Mae & we had dinner at Maria's on 4th. We then collected Darline and went to the Canadian Memorial Church (Burrard St. and 15th Ave) to hear The Universal Gospel Choir in their Soulstice '08 concert - Come On Children, Let's Sing! Kathryn Nicholson, the Music Director, used to be the music therapist at the Cancer Agency. Her talent is amazing and we really miss her. We all met people we knew in the audience & in the choir. I even won the door prize - a set of their CDs (4)!

Eh?

My ears are bunged up again. I tried ignoring it the last few days but they are starting to hurt and I can't hear out of the left one - except for the sound of Niagara Falls. My doctor doesn't work Fridays, so I have an appointment on Monday. Olive oil until then.

Stocked up on fresh groceries and then stayed in catching up on accounts and reading. Just watched 39 Steps.

Home

Another long day but I feel great at the end of it.

Up at 7 and read my Sun & Province online. Bubba called at 9 and then I was on the road.

My first stop was at the Merridale Estate Cidery. Those listed in the wine pamphlet would do well if they were as helpful as these people. I tasted several ciders and bought a 6-pack of small bottles and one Cidre Normandie.

The next stop was Blue Grouse Vineyards & Winery. Not as welcoming as the others but the little valley was beautiful. I bought a couple of bottles here.

Drove on to Coombs and bought a bunch of bread and scones at The Old Country Market. Also several bottles of neat stuff. Alana recommended Bambo ozle's in Coombs. A fascinating shop. I wanted to buy some tea samplers at the House of Leaves at Bambo ozle, but they weren't eager to serve me and I wanted to catch the 3:00 ferry.

Had my first ride on the M/V Coastal Renaissance. It was a really smooth ride in spite of the wind. I explored the whole ship and it is impressive. I had a cup of tea and then sat in a window seat to enjoy the view.

Stopped to see Pru and then home. It took 3 trips to carry everything upstairs. Dinner was Coombs bread, cheese, pickles, pickled beets, olives and wine. Perfect!

Cowichan Bay

Drove to Cowichan Bay for lunch today. Ate at the Rock Cod Cafe on the waterfront - had haddock with a crispy coconut coating & peach salsa with a Caesar salad. Very good.

Drove around the valley and stopped at Cherry Point Vineyards for a tasting & bought a couple of bottles. Amazing how many wineries there are.

Took the ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay for the first time. Pretty little trip.

Walked to the Empress (1.5 km), shopping along the way. I had to visit Munro's Book Store. I bought 1 Christmas present and 3 CDs. They have a huge selection of CDs on sale for about $4/each.

Alana picked me up and we had dinner at Spinnakers Brewpub. Had a great lamb sirloin dinner and rhubarb crisp, washed down with some Dragonfly Hill Vineyard Chardonnay.

Needless to say, my stamina astounds me. It wasn't long ago I couldn't do more than one aisle at Safeway.

Victoria

I am in my motel room in Victoria and I am TIRED!

Caught the 9:00 ferry (Spirit of Vancouver Island) and spent the $10 to sit in the Seawest Lounge - quiet, comfortable, Starbucks coffee, pastries and newspapers. Worth every penny.

My GPS has really changed this visit. I don't worry a bit about how to get anywhere, just concentrate on the scenery. First stop was Marley Farm in the Mount Newton Valley, Saanichton. "Somebody" helped themselves to the last bottle of wine I bought here before I could try it. I'll be more careful with today's purchases.

Checked in to the Traveller's Inn - Downtown on Douglas Street. I'll come back here again - free parking, free wireless Internet in my room, free shuttle back and forth to the Convention Centre, clean, nice room.... $89/night.

Met Bubba at his house and unloaded the stuff I brought him (my old printer, turntable, etc.) and loaded a box for Sharron and Matt. Brought the car back to the motel parking lot. We just missed the shuttle but it actually came back for us!

Spent the day in the Royal BC Museum. Always enjoy wandering there and especially liked the BC 150 display, Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC. I bought the book & DVD by Gerald Truscott in the Royal Museum Shop. Can't wait to watch the old travelogues.

We got a package deal & Bubba saw his first IMAX movie, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharoahs. Even though I've taught Egypt a few times over the years, I learned new things. A spectacular film.

It rained or drizzled all through the morning, but the sun was shining in a big blue sky when we came out of the museum. We walked back down Douglas and stopped for chocolates at Rogers - a necessity in Victoria.

Had dinner at Ferris' Oyster & Burger Bar. Scrumptious homous & pita to start and then burgers. Mine was lamb, with pesto mayo & feta with a mix of regular and sweet potato fries. I had to leave the top of my hamburger bun since it had sesame seeds on it. I am adding nuts and some seeds back into my diet but am avoiding the little hard ones. Don't want another diverticulitis attack, if that what they were.

We walked back to my motel to get the car and then went to visit Starre her sons. Bubba is very lucky.

I drove Bubba home and he said he was surprised at how far I could walk and how much I could eat. When he saw me at Christmas I wasn't doing much of anything and was hardly eating!

VTLA Dinner

Went shopping today and found everything I was looking for. I should have bought a lottery ticket!

The Vancouver TL Year End Dinner was at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club. I was invited as their guest and they gave me a card to rent some movies to cheer me up. Amazing that they are still caring for me so long after retirement. I loved hearing the retirement speaches and visiting with old friends.

Holiday booked

I took the jump and booked a couple of nights at the Traveller Inn-Downtown in Victoria for next week. My plan is to take Bubba to the BC 150 display, Free Spirit: Stories of You and Me at the Royal BC Museum Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday I'll wander - Moira has given me a list of wineries - and Thursday I'll go to Coombs & try for a ride on the new ferry at Nanaimo.

Today is reading and cleaning.

Small job day

Got a lot done today. Cleared away a pile of paper and balanced my accounts. Took out the empty boxes and old turntable.

Moira picked up another fan at COSTCO for Pru and I delivered it (and put it together). Borrowed some books on tape at Oakridge library and found that there was a book waiting at Marpole. Picked it up and then went to Safeway & VanCity.

All in all, a productive day!

BCTF RA

Went to the BCTF Rep Assembly at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel for a luncheon panel today. It was quite interesting and thought provoking since the panelists didn't agree.

The panel will explore the definition of sexual exploitation.
The 2008 AGM passed recommendation 24, the stem of which states, "That the BCTF oppose any move toward normalization of sexual exploitation." In order to actualize the procedures that follow the stem, it is necessary to have an agreed upon definition of sexual exploitation. Thus, the Status of Women Action Group is presenting the following panel:
Is Prostitution Sexual Exploitation? Panel members include Patricia Baptie, winner of the Courage to Come Back award; Dr. Janine Benedet, UBC Faculty of Law; Daisy Kler, Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter; Esther Shannon, FIRST

Didn't get the manual for my new car radio so I went back to Best Buy. They had a file of the ones left behind and mine was there! Bought a Seville UltraSlimline fan at COSTCO ($35) for the living room yesterday liked it so much that I went back today for another one for the bedroom.

By 7:00 I knew I didn't want to cook dinner so went to the White Spot for fish & chips.

Lily's big day

Lily had her extra little digits removed today. The family survived and she is still as cute as ever.

Took my bags of clothes to Triage. I like donating to a place that gives it right to those who need it most and doesn't send their donations to Value Village.

Cleaning day

I was wide awake at 4am so got up and did some house work and read a bit. Drifted back to sleep until 9:30 so it wasn't so bad.

Did 2 loads of laundry and then took all the clothes out of the bedroom closet and everything on the shelf and floor. After putting back what I decided to keep, I have 6 bags to take to Triage Shelter tomorrow. No need to buy hangers now!

Can't believe the Mariners, Jays and Penguins all won tonight. Sid the Kid came through!

Norris

Finally finished reading my Bin Laden book. Took a long time but was worth it. Now I've started The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret MacMillan, one of my favourite authors.

Stopped at the library for 2 more books and then picked up Louise to go to a talk at VPL. She reminded me about the free parking spaces that appear at 6 pm and someone pulled out just as I turned the corner. We then had liver and onions at Rosie's on Robson.

The talk was brilliant.

Michael Kluckner, author of Vancouver Remembered, will discuss the influence of Len Norris on his work, especially the way in which Norris imaginatively, yet realistically, depicted the geography of the city and the province. The talk will tie together Norris's cartoon collections, the work of other cartoonists, such as Al Beaton who drew for the Province in the 1950s, and the work of Kluckner himself.

Vancouver Remembered won the 2007 City of Vancouver Book Award and he was invited to come from Australia to be honoured at the Vancouver Arts Awards on May 26th. Ten days before he came, they told him that the ceremony was postponed until late June and asked if he would still make it. Another reason to get rid of Citizen Sam!!!

I took a couple of book for Michael to sign and then realized I probably have a couple of his older ones when I saw the display of his work.

I also have this hanging in my wall, straight from the Burrard Street bridge.

The Simon Fraser University Library Editorial Cartoons Collection contains over 5000 original drawings by Len Norris, Roy Peterson, Graham Harrop, Bob Krieger, Dan Murphy, Bob Bierman, Ingrid Rice, and Edd Uluschak published in Canadian newspapers between 1952 and the present if you want more.

I forgot to take my pills last night until 11:30 and again tonight (9:30)! I was doing so well until now. I have to get better at this.

A new week

I was so tired last night that I couldn't stay awake to watch the news. Today is much better. I must pace myself better and not have too many days that are long.

Tried Geocaching this morning. I couldn't find the cache and did feel a bit conspicuous looking in the bushes when kids were in the Weir playground across the street.

I did find an uncovered sewer pipe. Someone had pulled off the grate and the hole was huge - anyone running through the bushes wouldn't have seen it in time. I hope it wasn't someone looking for the cache. The school phoned the city. I'll try another cache closer to home.



I went into school for the lunch break and had a nice visit.

Home for a couple of hours and then to the VESTA Status of Women Committee. Two issues we talked about were:

1. “Unborn Victims of Crime Act” (Bill C-484) http://tinyurl.com/35cfgc and http://tinyurl.com/5p9ele
2. We Can campaign

I met Louise at the Cactus Club for dinner and we went to our Lesbian/Bisexual Support Group at the Cancer Agency.

Tired

Up before 7 as I was wide awake. Fell asleep a couple of times through the day.

Stayed in and read all day. Still plowing through The Bin Ladens: An Arabian family in the American century. I should finish it tomorrow and start the other books that arrived from VPL reserves. I have to concentrate - there are 2 more waiting to be picked up.

Training

Taught a course at the Red Cross in the morning. Mix up on the time and I arrived at starting time instead of 1/2 early like I planned. Haven't taught this course for a year but it did come back to me. Next time will be easier.

I was so tired that I just stopped for groceries and then headed home and stayed there!

Finished Captive by retired Vancouver principal Donalda Reid about her kidnapping in Africa. She is a vivid storyteller and I couldn't put it down. Gutsy woman who kept her wits about her. Definition of a good principal?

Indiana Jones

Took my car in for servicing and to have the snow tires taken off - summer is here!

Really enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - a true Hollywood B movie!

Came home to find a beautiful bouquet from Nancy and Tony.

Had dinner at the White Spot with Moira.

St. Paul's

My sister-in-law wasn't feeling well when she got to work so they took her to St. Paul's in a cab.

I met her there, after spending 1/2 an hour trying to find parking as the lot was full. I finally found a spot on Thurlow, south of Davie. I went out to feed the meter at noon. At 2 I drove the circle route (Davie, Denman, Robson, Burrard) to get to the parking lot and found a spot. The one way and short streets make shortcuts impossible. Stopped for a crepe on Robson.

I took Sharron home at 4:30. She'll go back for a stress test tomorrow. Just trying to steal some of the attention away from me!

My oncologist called to say my tumour markers have dropped even further!

CA: 15-3: 310 to 150 to 53

CEA: 39 to 21 to 8.7

I love the new radio. The manual was missing so I printed one off the Sony web site. I found that the cover plate comes off to prevent theft. I experimented a bit. It found all the songs on my memory stick even though they were hidden in folders. The iPod sounds like a big stereo system. Now I want the price of gas to drop so I can drive more!

New Radio

I celebrated my good news by buying a new Sony CDXGT610U car stereo at Best Buy.

It has an AM/FM radio, plays CDs and I can plug in my old MP3 player or a USB Memory Stick. Hidden in the glove box is a wire for my iPod - it will even charge it. Now I have to go on a trip so I can play with it. No more piles of CDs to hide!

Improvement

A successful morning! The CT report says:

Improvement since the previous study of 18 March 2008. Retrocrural and para-aortic adenopathy has decreased as well as porto-caval adenopathy. Adrenal thickening has essentially resolved. There may be minor residual thickening at the inferior aspect of the right adrenal gland.

I don't think I could have asked for better results. I am now waiting for my 3rd round of drugs to be ready to pick up.

Pin Cushion

Another night with little sleep. I finally read for a while at 4:00 and then fell asleep until 8:20.

I am now at the BC Cancer Agency and am waiting to see my oncologist. I was here at 9:30 for blood tests. A student tried and failed to find a vein and called on another technician to help. She put a butterfly in and the student drew 2 1/2 vials before it stopped. Another woman came and was able to find a better vein and they drew several more vials. I feel like I am the 18th century and they are bleeding me.

VESTA AGM

Woke up at 5 and couldn't get back to sleep so I got up at 6!

Had a much needed haircut and then rented 1st Indiana Jones movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Was invited to Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association AGM along with other Life Time Members. Christina and Anastasia were inducted into our group. Instead of snacks there was enough food for it to be dinner, complete with wine.

Returned movie & rented the Last Crusade. One more to go before Thursday!

Victoria Day

Woke up with a headache so decided that this was an "inside day" - didn't even get dressed.

My cousin Larry called to tell me that my Aunt Mary died this morning. She was the wife of my dad's brother, Ronald Hamilton. Mary was a special person in my life. I stayed on the family farm with her a few times and always felt like she was treating me as one of her own. The "normal" mother I never had.

I started updating my genealogy program at about 11:00 and kept at it until 7:00. Worked on Mary's family and found more on Janet & Daphne's. I found it quite cathartic doing this research and listening to music.

Jesse's Birthday

Mel and her kids came to clean and do the laundry this morning. It was certainly time to stop using the flannel sheets. Summer is here!

Listened to music all day and plowed through The Bin Ladens. I have now reached Osama's youth.

Picked up Pru and we met John and Jesse at The Fish House. Jesse turned 21 today, the last to become an adult.

Red Cross

Today I worked from 8:30 to 4:30 at the Canadian Red Cross. I supervised the Telus Red Cross Call Centre which was activated to take donation to help in Burma and China. There were very few calls (probably because of the long weekend) so they won't open again until Tuesday.

I did several orientations for agents who want to become supervisors. What a good group of volunteers came in today. Always a plus to have so many who can speak Mandarin and Cantonese. I can't get beyond Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Mae took me to Shaughnessy Restaurant in the VanDusen Botanical Garden for my birthday - I sure know how to stretch that celebration out. My meal was amazing: Rosemary Grilled Australian Lamb Chops cucumber & mint salsa, Yukon gold potato & asiago gallette and a glass of Pinot Blanc Blue Mountain (Apricot and pear are complemented by butterscotch on the nose and palate. A full mouth feel leads into a long, spicy finish).

Prince Caspian

Saw The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian today. Really enjoyed it.

Picked up a couple of books at the library and a prescription at Safeway.

Signed up for some shifts at the Red Cross for fundraising effort to help Burma and China.

Birds in my tree

I had my second letter in the Province this week - a personal record!

I am sure everyone will be shocked to know that Clifford Olson had a MySpace page celebrating being a serial killer.

How can a man in prison be allowed unfettered access to the Internet so he can torture the families of his victims?

I was quicker with my camera and caught a Western Tanager. Several visited my big tree.


Also an American Redstart?

Found a quote that fits me quite well right now.

Destiny has always been suspicious of notation. Destiny has never taken kindly to anyone that has kept a written record of its intentions.

Jane Urquhart in A Map of Glass

CT Scan

Long day today. Thought I'd join Matt & Andy in the waiting room while Lily had her foot surgery, but they weren't there. The anaesthetist sent then home since she was starting to come down with a bug. At least I wasn't there long enough to have to pay for parking.

Out again for my CT Scan at the Cancer Agency. Forgot I wasn't supposed to have carbonated drinks yesterday & had a Gin & Tonic but they said one didn't matter. I have these tests planned out - show up with t-shirt & sweats and you don't have to bother changing.

Stopped at Oakridge & then home to watch Canada vs Norway. Slept through the 3rd period and 5 goals!

Picked up a couple of reserves at the library:
- Captive : a survival story by Donalda Reid, a retired Vancouver principal
- The Bin Ladens : an Arabian family in the American century by Steve Coll

Attended a computer workshop at Kerrisdale. Michelle makes everything look so easy! A big difference from my new AV package in the 1970's (record player, reel-to-reel tape recorder, cassette tape recorder, Super 8 projector, filmstrip/slide projector, slide viewer, overhead projector) and her Smart Board.

Stopped at the White Spot as I was too tired to even think about cooking.

Havoc

Taking medication to kill estrogen has a downside - it makes me stupid (stupider?)! I tried making bread last night and muddled two recipes. Tried a different recipe this morning and found that my raisins expired in 2006. A quick trip to Safeway (and Starbucks) and the bread is in the machine.

My letter was published in today's Province. The parts in italics were edited out - probably for the better, although I liked using the word havoc.

I drove past the Greater Vancouver Zoo today and was reminded why I will never enter it again. The last time was many years ago, and I was upset by the living conditions of the specimens. Then there were the incidents with the elephant and hippo - charges should have been
followed up on in both these cases.

Now, a monkey has been stolen and its mate beaten to death. They must have raised quite a racket, but apparently there was no one to hear. Were all those animals left unattended through the night?
Now that this is obviously the case, how many other thugs will break in to wreak havoc?

Today I saw a Western Tanager outside my window but couldn't get my camera fast enough.

Tonight I wrote letters to Stockwell Day, the Prime Minister, Wally Oppal, the Premier and the Sun, Province & Courier. I find it outrageous that Clifford Olson is allowed to have a MySpace page that celebrates being a serial killer. He has even posted photos taken inside prison. How is he allowed unfettered access to the internet? Why is he able to torture the families of his victims? Where is the justice?

Field Trip

Stopped at IHOP for brunch and arrived at Weir at 10:00. Visited over recess and then joined Diane's class for a field trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

We travelled by bus and skytrain, getting off at the Burrard Street Station. After stopping in the HSBC Building to look at Alan Story's "Broken Column" Pendulum. They were impressed but were also excited by the revolving door into the bank. The kids then ate their lunch on the steps of the VAG.

The show was interesting - Canadian Women Modernists: The Dialogue with Emily Carr and the docents were efficient and talented. After studying a couple of galleries everyone painted a picture.

We arrived back at school just after 3:00. Joined a group in the staff room for afternoon tea.

Then to Ikea and Staples in Richmond for a few things. I arrived back home knackered.

Sidetracked

Today I was totally sidetracked into a project that took 5 hours!

It started when I read the teacher's guide for tomorrow's field trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery. The curator of the show we are going to is named Thom (like cousins Daphne & Janet). My interest was peaked and I did a little research. I found nothing on Ian Thom, but did find a family history! They lived in Russell, Manitoba - 40 km from my Dad's town of Rossburn. Our families must have interacted!

I did more research on various genealogy sites and suddenly it was 5 pm.

Off to Boundary Bay Regional Park and a walk along the dunes. My new camera bag worked a treat.

Boundary Bay

Picked Moira up at the ferry at 6:30 and we had scrumptious Hickory Smoked Bacon and Amorosa Tomato Pizzas at the White Spot.

Paper, paper, everywhere

Today was an inside day - only got dressed long enough to take the garbage & recycling out.

Worked my way through the piles of papers on my desk and actually dealt with most of them. I even some receipts for last year's extended health rebate. I'll do those tomorrow. Even scanned the stash of important receipts and added them to the record in my Quicken program (e.g., camera, lenses, flash...). This means that I don't have to worry about finding the receipt or about fading (especially Future Shop).

I am now sitting with a new library book (Beyond the Body Farm) and a cup of lavender tea made with my new brewer - it actually works well.

Friday Drive

Such a beautiful day that I went for a drive to play with my GPS and the Circle Farm Tour guide for Langley.

Started in the Farmgate Shop at Vista D’oro Farms in South Langley. Bought gas for $1.249 in Aldergrove and then headed for Fort Langley. Did some wine tasting at The Fort Wine Co. and bought some wine and stuff.

Thought I should eat after tasting, so I stopped at The Village Coffee & Tea Co. and had some tea and an apple/cinnamon scone. Bought a Smart Tea Maker after using one for my cup of Earl Grey Cream.

My GPS helped me find A Bread Affair (organic artisan breads) in Langley. Bought some Chiabatta.

Spent too much at Linens 'n Things at Big Bend Crossing. I am starting to shop more at this new shopping centre. It is close to home and has great parking.

Thursday

Saw my GP this morning to refill my NASONEX® hayfever spray. They don't expire until 2011 so I got 3 to save the dispensing fee - getting cheap in my retirement! This stuff is sure a lot better than the shots I used to get or the drowsy pills. He was really pleased with how well I am doing and look.

Picked up Mae and we went to Relaxation at the Cancer Agency.

Bought some asparagus and bacon at Granville Island then went to my favourite camera store, Lens & Shutter. Picked up a Speedlite 430EX flash for my camera and a Tamrac Velocity 7x - Photo Sling Pack. The bag I bought with the camera is a good one for storing everything or for just going somewhere specific. The new one is for walking around. You swivel it around to the front when you want the camera.

I finished the day at Safeway for food & prescription. (And the liquor store for some Bombay gin.)

RTA

Went to the first Vancouver Branch, Retired Teachers' Association Executive meeting since being appointed last July! I do their web site.

New Health Legislation threatens Medicare as we know it, unless we act now and send a message to Health Minister George Abbot telling him to Kill Bill 21!

Went to Kidsbooks (Vancouver AND Surrey) for a couple of presents and then Ironwood Plaza.

Disaster Drill

Went to the Red Cross at Lake City for a disaster drill today. This is Emergency Preparedness Week in B.C. If you need to update your plans, visit the PEP web site.

I supervised the Telus Red Cross Call Centre (thank you Telus for your generosity!). It took a bit of time for us to remember how to do everything, but it all came back.

Using the TELUS CallCentreAnywhere™ is so much better than the old way we managed disasters - we don't "borrow" phones from desks, but use laptops & headsets to manage all the calls.

The Red Cross staff gave me presents and hugs to welcome me back - I guess that means I'm committed to keep volunteering! I was there from 13:30 to 20:20 and was still standing at the end. My stamina is almost normal.

Robbin, a fellow supervisor, took me out for dinner at the Cactus Club and we polished off big plates of Jack Daniels' Ribs, yam fries and asparagus!

A Warm Monday

I think Spring is finally here. It was 20 in my car at one point.

A short shopping trip turned into 5 hours. Water at COSTCO on Grandview. It is moving to Burnaby soon.

Stopped at VESTA to fill out form for Status of Women and visited for a while.

Took some fair trade coffee I got at the Sunday market to Andrea and got to play with the girls.

Finished my shopping at Oakridge.

Steveston Market

Finally finished watching all my taped TV shows!

Scrabulous had been adding so many games when you try starting a new one that I am now playing 38! The diehards kept at it until 2 AM last night.

Today I went to the first Steveston Farmers and Artisans Market at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historical Site Parking Lot. It was pretty good but many were sold out by the time I got there (3 PM), especially the bakers. I had been hoping for some fresh bread.

Went to Landsdowne Mall and actually found a few things I was looking for.

Quiet day

Spent Saturday reading the Sun and Globe & Mail. Then settled down to watch some of the shows I taped in the last couple of weeks.

My arthritis is acting up so didn't even get dressed. Started taking the Glucosomine/Chondroitin/MSM pills again.

Friday

Still felt like shopping so hit Canada Tire in Burnaby, Wal-mart & Staples in Richmond and Safeway in Vancouver.

Spent the rest of the day catching up on newspapers and taped TV shows with a break to have dinner with Moira at Applause.

La Conner

Went for a long drive today. Took about an hour to cross the border but was able to read the Sun while in line. The Border Guard asked a Dewey Decimal question and I got it wrong. I quickly supplied a bunch of right answers which made him laugh. The medication is stopping estrogen which causes some fuzziness. Like having chemo brain again.

Lunch was Chuckanut Manor Restaurant B & B where I always have the Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Louis. This is one of the most beautiful spots along the coast for lunch, sitting on the edge of Samish Bay.

The tulip fields were mostly ploughed under in La Conner. There were only a few show fields left. I wandered through the shops and bought a couple of Mountain t-shirts.

I drove across to Harry & David in Burlington to replenish my supply of relish, horseradish dip & pancake mix. Then to Costco for gas ($3.56/gallon or about $1.04/litre) and Best Buy for a Garmin Nuvi Friction Mount & a case for my GPS.

Then to Sedro Woolley & meandered up Hwy 9 to Bellis Fair and walked around in the mall. Bought a couple of small things then had dinner at Ivor's.

Visited Jane in White Rock and then home.

Drove about 310 km with an average speed of 61 km/hr. Love the GPS. I often disagreed with routes it wanted me to take but it was great for finding specific places.

I ended up with an extra pill at dinner so must have taken the wrong number at breakfast! Duh!