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.