Game Day

The weather is cloudy and a bit chilly so we stayed in all day playing games.  Many Scrabble games with Jane and then Mexican Train (dominoes) with Jane & Glenn.

Last day tomorrow so I hope the sun comes out.

Loon Lake

Poor weather interfered with satellite yesterday so I could do little on the computer. It drizzled or rained at times during the day but I didn't get wet.

We drove to Ashcroft and had lunch in Cache Creek. Visited Desert Hills Ranch in Ashcroft and picked peaches.

Sat outside for a couple of Scrabble games but it was cooling down so we had to move inside. At least I can play the game now that Scrabulous is off Facebook due to copyright problems. I read that Scrabble is developing game to put on Facebook so I will keep watch for it.

Road Trip

Left at 8 this morning and had brunch at the Chilliwack Airport.

Drove up the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet and then across to Loon Lake and Jane & Glenn's place.

Loon Lake is the long skinny one near the top

We walked up the road to a neighbours for dinner. Played Trivial Pursuit - my team won.

The MAC is in my bedroom with a satellite connection!

More Training

Finished the 2nd day of Red Cross training (9 - 5). Long days but I did enjoy the course and the company.

Stopped at Brentwood and bought some more games for my Nintendo Lite - WordJong, Spanish & Crosswords. I am still doing the daily BrainAge games and fluctuate in my age. I do see an improvement.

Stopped to pick up scones at Matt's that I had asked them to buy for me and stayed for dinner (vegetarian chili - mmm). Lily can stand! Sadie completed a jigsaw of Canada. I don't think I could do that and name many of the provinces & the US at 3! Some of my Grade 5s had trouble.

I think I am all organized for heading off to Loon Lake for the week tomorrow.

Red Cross Training

Breakfast at IHOP & a latte at Starbucks and then had to be at the Red Cross at Lake City by 9:00. Just made it.

Today & tomorrow (9 - 5) is Supervising Disaster Workers Level 2 workshop. Only 11 of us so the group is quite manageable. This is the last course I have to take.

I keep seeing the owner of The Village Toy Shop in Port Moody on the noon news. My GPS took me right there and I bought "stuff" for presents. Went to Sears looking for more games for my Nintendo but it was closing.

Moira called to say they were in White Spot and would wait for me. I let my GPS take me the quickest way (a few new roads), calling as I got close enough to order. Pizza & blueberry pie!

Sam Fillipoff

Life-long peace activist, teacher and COPE campaign volunteer Sam Fillipoff died on July 22 at Vancouver General Hospital after a brief battle with an incurable neurological disease.

Sam was born in 1945 in the Slocan Valley of a Doukohobor family who immigrated to Canada to escape persecution in Czarist Russia for their Tolstoyan traditions of pacificism, nonviolence and communal living. Raised on the family farm, Sam rejected the idea of war and violence and truly lived by the words "Thou shalt not kill."

Sam earned a teacher's degree and for many years taught in inner city Vancouver schools including Grandview School where he focused on the needs of First Nations children. He took his students on educational trips up the BC coast to learn about their heritage and ancestors, and helped create the Grandview community garden project so that children in East Vancouver could learn about sustainability in the urban environment, and have a safe sanctuary for so many who were exposed to abuse and violence. Sam also worked at the BC Teachers Federation where he was the race relations coordinator producing educational material and raising awareness on the need to prevent racism.

Shortly after the COPE majority was elected to City Council in 2002, Sam was invited to join the city's newly formed Peace and Justice Committee where he was a key organizer of the 2006 World Peace Forum. One of the events Sam helped organize as a kick-off for the Peace Forum was the Acts of Transformation: From War Toys to Peace Art where children participated in workshops creating art work made from war toys and violent video games.

Sam is survived by his wife and two daughters, his mother and two sisters.

A celebration of Sam Fillipoff's life will be held at 6:30 pm on Thurs, July 31 at the UBC Longhouse at 1985 West Mall, University of BC.

Donations can be made to Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC, 2266 W 14 Ave, Vancouver V6K 2W1.

(COPE Newsletter)

Bits & Pieces

I did a lot of small stuff today - library, Safeway, laundry, bills...

Met Moira at Applause for dinner. We went next door to Starbucks where we got a free drink with our Starbucks Card: Vivanno™ Nourishing Blends - Chocolate Banana (Freshly prepared with a whole banana, bittersweet cocoa, 2% milk and our own proprietary whey protein & fiber powder and ice).

Randy Pausch just died - an amazing man!

Moderne Burger

Feel a lot better today. Must have been something I ate at lunch.

Met Barbara for lunch at Moderne Burger on Broadway. The only thing on the menu is burgers so it didn't take much thought.

Went shopping in Richmond and was home by 16:00.

Must do my homework tomorrow for the Red Cross training this weekend.

RTA Meeting

Attended a Retired Teachers' Association Executive meeting Wednesday morning. Dropped off a thumb drive with my photos at John's.

Had a headache in the afternoon that just kept coming back after pills wore off. Had a nap in the afternoon and it didn't help much. Went to bed early and finally was sick around midnight. That helped and I slept most of the night.

The Dark Knight

Saw The Dark Knight in IMAX today. Fantastic movie. Ledger will at least get nominated for an Oscar. He was just so creapy and bad.



Took some fresh fruit to Pru from Richmond.

Cancer Group

Stayed up late reading last night and slept until past 10:30 this morning - Suspicious Circumstances by Sandra Ruttan. Started a new book today & couldn't connect so switched to Jean Barman's new one, British Columbia: Spirit of the People.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for our monthly meal: Asparagus, Yam Fries & Crispy Pork Ribs and a bit of red wine to wash it down. Went to our Lesbian Support Group at the Cancer Agency and were pleased to find Katherine there. We had tried to pick her up from VGH palliative but Wanda beat us to it. She is a true inspiration to us all and has less than 2 months to live. I hope I can be half as brave when I reach this point.

Dropped a memory stick of photos for John off at Pru's and visited a while. She is still flat on her back!

Nintendo DS

I know that exercising different parts of the brain is important, especially now I am retired. I still have the BCTLA, Retired Teachers Assoc. & the Red Cross, but it isn't every day. My solution was to buy a Nintnedo DS at Best Buy. The store was selling it for the same price as listed online, including a free copy of Brain Age 2.

Of course I had to buy Tetris. I am still addicted as ever. Pru & I spent hours playing it on the original Nintendo system.

Saturday

Kept thinking it was Sunday all day. Stayed in and rested. I seem to have done a lot this week and needed some down time.

Bob's Day

Picked up my new prescription for the hiatus hernia this morning. I am trying Losec (Omeprazole) instead of Nexium as it is half the strength. I am doing so well we'll try this for a while and then maybe take me off drugs completely.


Caught up on my bills and did some reading.


Met Moira at the White Spot for Pollo Basilico Pizza (A thin crust pizza with our house-made spicy tomato and basil pesto sauce, fresh-roasted BC chicken, sautéed sweet bell peppers, red onions, local mushrooms, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese). There was only 1 piece of blueberry pie left, so we shared.


Enjoyed the Lions game tonight and watched the tribute to Bob Ackles. I want a pin!

Harrison

Tried filling a prescription at Safeway but their computers are down. The pharmacist gave me 1 pill for this morning and I'll pick up the rest tomorrow.

Went on a Circle Farm Tour drive to Harrison. Had brunch at IHOP in Langley. Took the Albion Ferry at Fort Langley. Beautiful little ride but I think I was the only one enjoying it - everyone else was commuting!

Bought some beer at the Mission Springs Brewing Company and then straight to Harrison. Had a relaxing soak in the public pool.

Then to the Farm House Natural Cheeses for some Alpine Gold (a washed curd, washed rind cheese. It has a deliciously smelly golden-orange rind, which gives a distinct flavour to the straw-coloured semi-soft paste) and a small container of Provencal goat cheese. On to Limbert Mountain Farm and the owner let another women and me sample many things. I went away with some of their chocolate (one with hazelnuts and coffee beans and the other was Mojito Mint), Roman Provence Rooibos Tea and a bottle of Rhubarb & Vanilla preserves. We waited for the fresh humus to be bottled and bought it without even waiting for the label. A good thing I had ice in my little cooler!

Stopped at the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop for pie (raspberry/rhubarb) and decided to try a 1/2 Spinach Salad. It was quite large and probably the best I've ever tasted (This is just the best dressing my mother makes. We top off this salad with egg, real bacon bits, cauliflower and fresh mushrooms. Served with garlic toast — Popeye’s here everyday).

Meandered back to Vancouver and stopped at Pru's to share some of my booty.

Study over

A very busy day!

Started out having 6 vials of blood drawn at the Cancer Agency. Hung out reading until 11:00 and then saw my clinical trial nurse. The Anastrozole Plus Lonafarnib (SCH 66336) or Plus Placebo for the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer trial has been suspended worldwide. They still don't know why, but will call me when they get more information. The blind was lifted and I was on the placebo. I had guessed that since I didn't have a lot of side effects.

This means that the anastrozole (Arimidex) is what is working and shrinking the tumours and bringing down the tumour markers. Last week's CT Scan shows that the previous masses are stable or, in the case of the one on the right adrenal gland, no longer measurable.

There is a nodule in my right lung but it hasn't changed so they aren't worried about it. Maybe some old scar tissue. I also have a duplex right kidney. I never claimed to be normal.

No more diary to keep! I will continue on the Arimidex and just have to take one pill in the morning - I had a terrible time remembering to take those evening pills, even if they were in my pocket. I'll still see my oncologist but only when every couple of months for a CT Scan and blood tests.

Rushed to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts to meet Georgina. Called John to have to tell her that I was leaving the parking lot at 12:20 & our reservation was for 12:00. Georgina had a 2 for 1 coupon and it was a fine meal: Butternut Squash Soup, Blanquette of Chicken Breast & White Prawns with Sautéed Pearl Onions and finished with Chocolate Mousse. Bought a couple of chocolate & raspberry treats for Pru & me.

Stopped at Tilley Endurables for a new pair of Crinkled Cotton Women's Drawstring Shorts and then to my GP's. I needed a refill for the Nexium that I take for the Hiatus Hernia. We are going to try a new drug that is half the strength since I am doing so well. He thinks the swelling in my leg was positional edema since the Ultrasound ruled out a blood clot and the CT Scan didn't find any swelling in lymph nodes at the top of the leg. No more long hours of sitting.

Had to go back to get a supply of Arimidex at the Cancer Agency pharmacy. Sat outside to read for a while. On to Max's Bakery & Delicatessen on Oak. Got pesto & shrimp salad for dinner and took one to Pru.

Finally finished reading Swan Peak, the latest James Lee Burke book that I picked up at the library yesterday afternoon so I could deliver it to Pru with the food.

Found parking outside everywhere I went today! A good day all around.

Summer is really here to stay

I love these hot days. Especially when I have fans that actually work.

Took Pru to the doctor and then for an X-Ray today. She is now on enough drugs to relax her back. Went out to Richmond for Cobs bread and fresh vegetables & fruit for both of us.

It is now the 14th inning of the all-star game. They are running out of pitchers.

Cancer Agency appointments tomorrow.

Blackout

Yesterday was certainly an interesting day for Vancouver. I followed the blackout on TV & radio and updated friends involved. In spite of having no power, the Vancouver Sun site had the most information about the big event.

Did some laundry in the morning and read the rest of the day.

Hot Sunday

Slept in until 10 this morning. After reading the papers on the computer, I spent the rest of the day reading on my balcony with my leg up.

Met Moira & Filomena at Applause Japanese Restaurant at 16:30 for a feast. Took a bag to Pru. Her back is still horrible and she can't do much of anything.

I was out of everything since I've been out so much in the last couple of weeks. Stopped at Safeway at 20:15. This is a perfect time to shop on a hot day. The store was cold and nearly empty.

Reunion Ends

Today was the last "family event". Chris treated us to lunch at Boston Pizza. He is taking Patience to Sea-Tac a day early. Her mother-in-law died and she is flying direct to the funeral instead of home. She had been going for a family reunion but was going to Houston first. Michael will collect some clothes and send them on with one of Bob's family.

Patience has made me the most beautiful blanket to help me get better. Chris volunteered to help and ended up doing all frill part! Too bad it is too warm to use tonight.

I took lunch to Pru. Her back is still pretty bad.

Finished installing the new USB record player and it works! I listened to the Nylons for the first time in decades.

Ben has a 2nd daughter in Seattle yesterday:
McKinley Harper Charlton(a girl:))was born 7/11/08 at 4:35pm. Healthy 7 lbs, 14 oz, 20 inches and mom is doing great!!!