Snow?

There was snow on the higher levels but I didn't see any around Marpole.  Of course, I didn't wake up until 9:30.  Who knows what happened earlier.

Met Louise for dinner and then we went to the Cancer Agency for our support group.  Cold and drizzly when we came out.

Curling

Watched the Canadian women beat China & Switzerland today.  Love listening to the other teams yelling in different languages.

Did a bit of cleaning and a lot of reading.

Keyboard woes

My keyboard keeps dying.  Replacing batteries only works for a bit.  Time for a new one.  I am typing this on my Netbook.

Found 6 caches today NE Vancouver & Burnaby.  The owner of one watched from a picnic table for a while and then took pity and came over with his dog to help.  Very clever hide inside a tree but I couldn't reach it.  He had trouble getting out through the hole - the tree must have grown!

Had a delicious bowl of chicken soup at Swiss Chalet for lunch.  Was feeling a bit sick and it hit the spot.  

Home by 4.  All my teams won tonight - Women's Worlds curling, Canucks & Whitecaps.  Kept flipping channels to watch them all.

Mail run

Picked up some arthritis tools (reacher, jar opener, bracelet closer, shoe horn) at Point Roberts.  

Found a multi near the beach and then took a circle tour home to find 3 caches in Beach Grove, White Rock & Surrey.

Picked up groceries at Price Smart and dumped cardboard boxes at recycling depot on the way home.

A to Z in Bellingham

Picked up Lori and we headed for Bellingham.  I logged 35 today.  We found a new series of the 26 letters of the alphabet that was really easy.  Stopped at the Shrimp Shack for lunch.

Traffic at the border was really light for the NEXUS lane.  The worst part was going through the tunnel this morning.  I was home quickly coming back.

Had another GERD attack after dinner but it was short.  Hope that means the pills I'm taking are having an effect.

Stormy day

I did have plans to go out but was so tired this morning, I stayed in.  Glad when I saw the stormy weather.

My partial is fitting better and I ate a painless dinner.

Teeth again

My repaired lower plate hurt too much to wear so went in to have it adjusted.  Not much to take off.  So glad I said I'd get a new one made.  I am leaving it out for a bit to let my mouth heal.

Picked up groceries at Safeway and was home before 9:30.  Pam can't blog from China - they are just too paranoid and the upcoming generation won't stand for it much longer.  She is sending the blog entries by email and I am posting them (see side column).

Used my Magic Bullet to make broccoli soup for dinner.  Not bad.

Birthday dinner

Had a quiet day inside while the storm raged.  Reached 90km/hr and took out a lot of trees in Stanley Park.  The one outside here was really bending but it has been pruned properly and is still standing.

Sadie turned 7 yesterday.  I went to meet them for dinner and found them cooking.  Much better than going out.  Took some books for the girls.  Sadie thanked me for knowing what she wanted.  Love seeing her reading to Lily.  Great dinner and good company.

Lynden again

Feeling much better today.  Not perfect but close enough.

Picked up Lori and we went to finish off the caches around Lynden.  She logged about 35 and I had 11.  Many were just drive ups.  Did walk about 1.5 km and drove 250 km.  

Bought some wine in Fred Meyer's - seems you can bring a single bottle across with no trouble.  Found a letterbox in Bellingham before heading home.

NEXUS got us through the border easily in both directions.

Win one, lose one

Enjoyed watching the Whitecaps win their first game of the year.  Too bad the Canucks didn't do the same.

Stayed in bed until 10:30 and didn't do much today.  Missed Jane's wedding!  Think I'll be back to normal by tomorrow.

Sick

I heard a quote I liked the other day - I am too sick to be well and too well to be sick.  That certainly wasn't the truth last night.  I am assuming it was another GERD attack.  Spent most of the night in the bathroom trying to decide between kneeling and sitting.  Was pretty shaky all day and slowly started drinking and eating - tea, ginger ale, crackers, digestive cookies, soup.

Had to cancel 2 appointment with phycial & occupational therapists.  Not sure about tomorrow.

IWD 2012

Met Pam and Lori in Surrey for a day of caching.  Tackled a few multis this time.  I logged 10 all together.  Had a really good lunch at John's Greek Taverna on King George Blvd.  More food than you could eat for $8.99.

Made it home with just enough time to change and get to the Flamingo on Cambie at 5 for a celebration of International Women's Day with VESTA.  There was a union meeting so the dinner was delayed by an hour.  That gave more time to visit.  Jane made a wonderful speech and we all sang Bread & Roses.

 

I had been going since 8 this morning and was getting really tired, so after we finished our banquet at about 8 pm, I headed home. Knew I couldn't last through a speaker.  

U.S. pickup

Large metastatic group this morning at the Cancer Agency.  I was last to speak and time had run out.  Always forget what I want to talk about.

Drove to Point Roberts to pick up a couple of parcels - adapted nail clippers.  Filled up the gas tank.  It was about 14 cents more than usual/litre.  Tried for a multi cache but ran out of energy.  Did find one near the Ladner Leisure Centre.

Dedided to have a late brunch/early dinner at Dave's in Steveston.  Have to stop going so long without eating.  The time just gets away from me.

Leather working splints

Spent a couple of hours at Mary Pack and now have my two black leather working splints for my wrists.  They are pretty impressive and should help with some of the pain.  I was to wear them for an hour today as a start.  Didn't bother me at all.  It's my partial that is causing some pain.  I'll leave it out for a bit.

Found a cache near 42st & Dunbar and another on Cambie.

Canucks did not entertain tonight.  Many open net opportunities missed.

What day is it?

What a weird day!  I thought I had three things to do.  I started for the dentist at 10:45 but they called to say they were behind and couldn't take an impression for a new plate today.  I did get them to let me come in for the repaired one.  

Was looking for a quick lunch but couldn't get parked near anything interesting.  Gave up and went to the food fair at Cambie & 12th.

Was sitting patiently reading my KOBO at Mary Pack when my OT came out to find 2 of us.  I must have made the mistake when writing it down.  My appointment is Tuesday.

Did some shopping at London Drugs & then went home for a bit.  Arrived at the Flamingo House for a banquet at 5 to find that it is on Thursday.  Of course it is since Thursday is March 8th - International Women's Day.  Once again, it me who put it on the wrong day.

Retreated to the safety of my apartment!

Paper

Actually made it to the bottom of several piles of paper.  Found all my income tax stuff and receipts for my lawyer re Oakridge lawsuit.

Seemed to be playing an endless number of word games with several people - from BC to Tunisia.  

My own stew for dinner.  Soft enough for my mouth but the gums don't like the heat.  I'll get my plate back tomorrow morning.

Headachy day

Had a headache through the night and it stuck half the day.  Still slept pretty well and dozed a bit this afternoon.

Did some work but couldn't stick to it.  Gave up and read most of the day.

Poor Canucks!  No one wins them all.

New Teachers

Met Chris at the New Teachers' Conference at the Radisson in Richmond.  We set up a table advertising the BCTLA.  Managed to find soft food for breakfast and lunch.  It was better than previous years but the WiFi connection was pitiful and we had to share our table.  Lots of energetic young teacher made up for it.

Drove Chris home and stopped at Safeway.  Cooked a pot of macroni & ground round that was easy to eat.  Am really tired and have dozed off a couple of times.  Time for bed.

Dental woes

Started off to pick up stuff at Amanda's school in Richmond.  Was enjoying my Starbucks lattte & oat fudge bar but disaster struck in the middle of the Oak St bridge.  My lower partial plate broke in half and was all stuck in the bar.

Got to the school and called my dentist.  She wasn't in today but her father would see me.  Picked up the packages and cancelled geocaching with Pam.  

They took an impression of my top teeth but the plate still fit on an old impression.  They sent it off to the lab to see if it could be fixed.  I got a call a couple of hours later to say it would be ready on Monday.  I'll still get a new one made as this one is obviously on it's last legs.  Soft food for a few day.

Picked up groceries at Granville Island & Safeway so I could cook.  I have an app on my iPhone with all my favourite recipes that will make a shopping list.  Put a stew in the crock pot for 9 hours and just squeezed 8 servings in the freezer.

 

Leap Year

Found a couple of caches along the river in Burnaby.  I now have a find on every day of the year (366)!  

Met Pam at Queen's Park for a Leap Year caching event and a couple of caches.

Had dinner at the Waffle House on the way home.

Blustery day

Windy and dreary all day.  Stayed home and did laundry.

Was really tired all day even though I slept well.  Had an bout with GERD after lunch.  Wasn't as bad as the previous ones and I was able to doze off as it eased.

Another 100

It was cold this morning (1 degree) but I went out for the 2 I needed to get to 100 for the 27th.  The first was at Queen Elizabeth Park.  Glad I had my cane as it was rough in amongst the trees.  The next one was a park and grab at 23rd near Dunbar.

Did some shopping at IGA & Characters on the way home.

Still having mild GERD attacks.  Tea does help.

My teams lost!

The Canucks played at noon and were robbed by the ref just before the end of the 3rd.  They lost in overtime and looked tired.  Then the BC rink finished 2nd in the women's Scottie's.  Taped it and watched when the hockey finished.

Enjoyed most of the Academy Awards.  Some of the humour was just stupid.  Cirque du Soleil stole the show.

Weird weather again.  It was snowing while the sun was shining.

Car insurance

Had to go through Air Care today.  The whole visit was under 15 minutes and my car passed easily.  Regular maintenance pays off.  Then went to BCAA to renew my insurance.  I am a few days early, but it is one less thing to worry about on Monday.

Stopped at Granville Island for groceries on the way home.  Got some tea that is recommended for GERD attacks - has anise, peppermint and lavendar in a mix with a bunch of other stuff.  Drank some after dinner and I think it did help.

Mary Pack

Appointment at 2:30 with my Occupational Therapist at Mary Pack.  My new black leather wrist splints are in and she began fitting the right one and adding the straps.  Should be finished on my next double appointment.

Moved on to my Physical Therapist at 3:30 and she worked on my knees and hands.  Put my hands into hot wax and had them wrapped up for most of the time.  Did a bunch of exercises for my knees and legs and then had ice packs put on top and heated pads below.  After that, she put strips of black tape around the kneecaps.  It should last for about 5 days.

Picked up some dinner at Max's on the way home.  It was a funny day with big snowflakes mixed in with the rain.  Felt out of step in my shorts.

Canucks actually won tonight after last night's big game.  Sure helps having a hot backup goalie.

Had another Gerd attack tonight but it wasn't as severe or as long as the last ones.  Maybe that expensive drug is working.

Choo Choo

Pam and I met at Sun God and headed for Langley.  I found 13 caches and Pam logged 19.  We stopped at Choo Choo for a great hamburger lunch (feta & bacon).  Found a gift I needed a couple of doors away at Ten Thousand Villages.

We found a couple that had eluded me last week but had a couple of DNFs.

Listened to the Canucks on the radio and made it home in time for the start of the 2nd period.  What a game!

Checkup

Just waved hello to Karen in the hallway and was seen by another oncologist, Val Geddes.  Really liked her and know that when I do not see Karen it is because she is not worried (cannot do an apostrophe on my keyboard - it is an accented è).

I have a lot of pain on my lower left abdomen that I did not notice until she started palpating it.  She was satisfied that there was no mass and my organs felt normal.  My lungs also sounded good so hope that means the cancer has not come back into them.  The tumour in my groin is about the same size so we will continue to ignore it.  The one on my shoulder is almost gone.  I complained about the GERD so she wrote a prescription for a strong drug for 6 weeks.  Then I can go back to the over the counter brand if I am not having attacks.  

The good news was my tumour markers.  They dropped from 120 to 96 - the lowest since last May.

Picked up some apples at Granville Island and then remembered to go to the Cancer Agency to drop off my Tamoxifen prescription.  Stopped at Safeway for the GERD medicine.  Cost $100 for 6 weeks!

Found it

Lori picked up Pam & I at Pam's house and drove us to deepest Surrey.  We had all tried finding a cache near King George Blvd & Fraser Hwy a few times.  This time we had hints from others.  A homeless man has been under the trees for weeks and we decided he just wasn't going to leave.  He actually pointed us in the right direction and Lori found it!  I gave the man some money and he didn't seem bothered by us.  We then went to another nearby one I had failed at before and Lori found that one, too.  Enough rain so we headed home.

Stopped at IHOP for pancakes since it is Pancake Tuesday.  Went to Winter Tonic at John Oliver Secondary's new Learning Commons.  The room really looked good and I liked the sessions I attended - Learning Commons at Livingstone & Adult Reads.  Came away with a reading list.  Nice to visit so many old friends.

Cancer Group

Spent the day sorting bills and reading.  Caught up on some shows on PVR.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for dinner and we then met Gwen at the Cancer Agency for our meeting.  Not sure what is going to happen to the actual group as we don't have a leader but enjoy the monthly meeting with the 3 others who still go most times.

My knee has been almost painfree today.  Finally realized the GURD is a side effect of Tamoxifen.  Will talk to oncologist on Wednesday.

Luncheon

Met with several members of the old VESTA Status of Women Committee at the Cafe Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive.  Our lunch took 2 hours and we could have stayed longer to catch up.

Came home after shopping at Safeway.  Headed out again a while later when I got a Tweet announcing a new cache at 57th & West Boulevard.  I actually made it to be First to Find.  Only my 3rd of these.

After I got home I was sick like I was earlier in the week.  Assume it is my Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from a hernia.  I am taking the daily pills and it subsided after I took one.  Didn't last as long as the last one and I was able to eat some chicken soup for dinner.

Quiet Saturday

Spent the day reading the newspapers & my Kobo.  Enjoyed the Canucks whipping Toronto.  Liked the new version of Midsomer Murder.

My knee was really good today so hope this is it.

Beating the rain

Headed East this morning to find some caches before the big storm came in off the ocean.  Found a couple of puzzles along King George Blvd and then went to the Campbell Valley Park area and Langley.  Logged 8 before stopping for a late lunch.  

The rain was quite hard for the drive home.

Surrey puzzles

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

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

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

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

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

Sun @ 100

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

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

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

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

Better day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BCTLA Executive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watched football and hockey all day.

Safety first

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.