Blah, Blah, Blah

What to write about, my mind is blank!! The weather's always a good topic, so let's start there!

Vancouver today is filled with warmth and sunshine. Something we've been lacking here for some time. It certainly lifts the mood when the sun is on your face, and warms you to your soul and makes you feel good to be on this side of the ground.

We went for a walk today with our master (the dog), and as we strolled along the path by the rolling rapids, TJ, peed on every bush, and tree, sniffing and then leaving her own mark behind.

What a strange thing to do eh? Can you imagine us humans doing that! But she was so happy and glad to be outside as well.

The daffodils and the tulips are shooting out of the ground at great speed now and the buds are getting larger and larger on the trees. Another month or so and it should be beautiful out here. My favourite time of the year in Vancouver! Then Tom and I get into a guessing contest to see if we can win a $5.00 bet on when the last of the snow will leave the mountain.

I'm just looking forward to getting the deck all cleaned up from the winter winds and be able to put the patio furniture around and get some flowers planted and hope the hosta's I planted last year, come out better then when I first planted them last year. The flower boxes on the street in front of the stores, are all planted in spring flowers. I forget the name of the ones out now, but they are just so colourful and pretty and again, it sure lifts the spirits to see them. It's pretty out there on the patio, when everything is filled with summer. I love to read out there, or bring out the computer, and we have our dinner out there. We often have our breakfast on the bedroom patio where we can catch the morning sun. Ahhh come on summer, I'm ready for ya!

Tomorrow we are invited to dinner at a friends house, which will be nice because we cooked a ham the other day and I'm sick of eating ham sandwiches, ham and eggs, ham omelette, and I'm praying she doesn't serve ham!!! She doesn't have a computer so, I'm safe she's not reading this!!!

Well, that's about it!! Ohhh, yeah, we just talked to my Auntie Irene. Tom phoned to thank her for her birthday gift to him, which we are really enjoying!! She reads this faithfully, she's such a sweet Auntie. I have two wonderful aunts who read this. Colleen is also a faithful reader, and we are pleading with them to come out and visit this Spring/Summer. Come on ladies, before you get too old to get going on a grand adventure!! Just book a flight and we'll show you everything we can to make it an enjoyable time!! I promise I won't do any bear scares!! Trust me!!! Hee hee heee!!! Honestly....come on out!!

Love Linda

Picture of the day:

These are my two Aunties: Irene, full of devilment, heart of gold, understanding and always a comfort to me. Then my sister, Roxanne, who I love dearly, and Colleen, my other sweet Auntie, who I scared the living daylights out with the bear joke (yet to be told on here). These are both my mothers younger sisters. They look incognito with those sun glasses eh? Wonder who they are hiding from?

The WEEKEND IS HERE

How, I wish, I lived closer to many, many of you! Sometimes, I feel so very far away from friends and family, and I DON'T LIKE IT!!! I miss my children, and grandchildren and the continious and frequent coming and goings of both friends and family. I miss coming home from work and seeing the side door ajar and big size 12 shoes sitting in front of the door, so I'd have to push my way in to see one of my grandson's or another family member, slunk down in the big comfy chairs in the living room, watching tv, and munching on goodies, from what was known as "their goodie cupboard".

I miss Lisa and Erin dropping in with a hamburger or chicken burger they picked up for their lunch break and would bring me one too and we'd enjoy, munching and talking about this and that and giggling about some funny thing. My grandsons would ask if they could stay the night, so that usually ment I'd treat them in the morning to a fabulous breakfast out before taking them to school. I miss Clare and Betty's vehicles pulling int the driveway, and quick knock at the door and in they'd come and tell me to get the coffee on!! We had just such great chats, and sometimes we'd all be gathered there together for some good talks and chuckles and the tea and coffee would be flowing.

I miss Norma's phone calls at any time of the day, asking what I was doing and then dropping everything to run to Tim Horton's for our daily coffee and chat! Or we'd decide to have a day of what we called "exploring", and go further afield to a couple of little towns scattered around us and visit all the little shops, have lunch, and just a great time.

Then Debbie would drop in and have me laughing within 5 minutes at some episode that happened to her. Laughing so hard, we'd choke on our coffee and end up spitting it at each other before we could swallow it.

My house was an open house, and I had many visitors in a day. Edith would drop over, with some neighbourhood juicy gossip, or Fern to complain about her husband or Arlene would pop, in, but my favourite visitor was John. We would laugh, and talk about college news and what was going on there. Or their car would pull up with all the family and tell me to get my coat, we were going for dinner, and off we'd go for evening of fun. Or we'd take off and just go to the movies or to a good play. Always fun!

In the summer time, I had the summer off because the Dept. where I worked was closed for the summer months, which was wonderful. But in those muggy hot days of summer, I'd put the coffee pot on, go sit outside before 8 am and before 9, the whole neighbourhood would go in my side door, pour themselves a coffee and come out the other door to grab a lawn chair, sit on the swing, or take a place on the cool grass in the shade and we'd all enjoy a wonderful morning of chat and what was new. Such great memories of those times.

I miss home sometimes, I miss my house, friends and my job, which was really more entertainment then what I felt was work. I really enjoyed it. I miss Lynn, Vernice and Lauren, and all those fun people who would drop into my office for a little visit and chat.

Life here in a condo is completely different living, people stick to themselves, although, I know them by first name, (if my memory doesn't fail). I can see them once and never see them again for weeks. Everyone sticks to themselves in the cities. I have one good friend but she's going through some health issues right now, so don't get to see her much. BUT!!!! I do have a great husband, a friend, companion and is much fun!! I have a computer and a phone, and without them I'd sure be missing everyone even more.

To to all those friends out there, I miss you so much!!!!

Linda, Dianne, Jen, Norma

Linda and Norma

Eva and John

Norma and Clare (sorry Clare, not a great picture!)

I wish I had my pictures from home, and I could show you some great ones!!! Another trip home and I'll bring them back. That's it folks....all for now..

THURSDAY AND TV NIGHT

Me again! With absolutely nothing to say! Surprising eh?

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day today, and had some nice surprises. Tom woke up, looked in the bathroom mirror to a little love saying, wrote in lipstick! That was his Valentine for today. Mine was a trip to Tim Horton's to splurge and forget my diet and have a plain doughnut!! Good enough for me and just as much fun! Then we had a delicious ham supper, here at home. I forgot the candles and wine. I just wanted to get supper over with, get the dishes done and settle down to watch Survivor and hopefully the people I picked in the pool, isn't kicked out tonight.

Tom went to the chiropractor's, while I took the dog to the park for a walk. That was about the whole day!

Soon, I'll get on to some good stories to tell you about, but for the moment, I'm just not in the mood. Some sad personal things going on, with my family, that for the moment, have me feeling sort of like something the cat dragged home. So, hang in with me and give me some time and I'll be back to being chatty Cathy again. Life will sort itself out in time, it's just getting to that time, that's difficult. But, I'll try to write a few things each day and try to keep this blog interested to those reading it. Thanks so much, for reading it, because as those numbers on the counter continue to climb, I'll keep on writing and doing this also helps me with things too.

Picture of the day:

Looking out our dining room patio door.

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

It's that "love" time of year again! Candy hearts, marshmellow and chocolate hearts, roses, big heart shaped valentine boxes of goodies, wine, dinner's out, and cupid's bow aiming and hitting at someones heart. Then there's those that can only remember those good fun times, and don't have anyone to love, or to receive a token of love. That loved person may have passed away, either through death or through a break-up, which can only leave one with a broken heart. Or maybe someone has never felt love. It's not a good time for everyone to see those red hearts everywhere and for those people without love today, I hope you feel love from somewhere!

For me, I've been extremely lucky to have had love all my life. Wonderful friends, family, people who have passed through my life, and filled my heart with love and joy. I especially have one wonderful person in my life now, who fills my heart with so much love, my heart overflows!! To him, my wonderful husband, I love you, not only on this day, but every day, more then the day before and will love you more tomorrow and every day ahead of us.

My fondest memories of Valentine's Day was when I was in about Grade 2 or 3 and we all had to decorate a box of some kind, and pack a lunch in it and then it went on a table in the classroom . Lunch time, we would all draw a number to see in which order we went, to pick a box from all the beautiful and different shaped boxes. No names were on the boxes. I can remember mom helping me for hours, while she pleated a ribbon all around the box, added some pretty lace and then we cut up her old valentine cards and decorated it. It was so beautiful, I didn't want to part with it. The person who got to pick first was the little boy, I had such a crush on, and he picked MY box!!! Ohhhh, it was love I was feeling that moment!! Talk about my thumping heart in my chest!! I told him after it was from me and he said he knew it! I was in love!!! I sat and watched him eat every goody that mom had carefully made and placed in the box. So on the way home, he was walking ahead of me and I caught up with him and asked him for a kiss. He refused!!! So, I actually tackled him to the ground and made him kiss me!!! Hahahahah!! I wonder if that little guy remembers that day? I never changed through the years either, I was always chasing after little boys!! Some I caught, some ran like hell!!

Remember the lovely valentines, that would be in Woolworths and you bought so many for five or ten cents. They were so much prettier then those horrible action figure hero ones they put out today.

One incident that sticks out on my mind as I write this, is how last year, Tom had taken me to China Town, and as we walked along the busy streets, there was this lad of about 12, who was obviously mentally challenged, as he was sweeping the streets with an chunk of cardboard, but he kept saying over and over in a sobbing and heartbreaking voice, "Nobody loves, me, Nobody loves me". I was going to stop and put my arms around him and tell him I loved him, but I was pushed along by the crowd and when I told Tom I wanted to go back and hug him and tell him I loved him, Tom said, it may not be a good idea as there is no telling what he may do, and in today's world, you really don't know. So, I just watched him with a sick and helpless feeling in my stomach, wishing and hoping he had a home with love. Some sights in a large city are so sad to see.

So to all of those of you reading this, I hope you feel my love for you, coming through my fingers, onto this screen for YOU! Each and everyone of you have made my life wonderful and I love you all. Happy Valentine Day!!!

Picture of the day:

HELLO ON TUESDAY

Well, the big birthday is done, and now it's back to blogging about this and that! Another sort of "sprinkles, on and off day", in West Vancouver, which is not unusual! I long for the sun, however, the temperature is mild and there's a promise the sun will come out tomorrow. I've been taking lots of Vitamin D in lieu of the sun. What the heck....always look on the positive side...no sun, no skin damage, and I've had my share of that, and it looks like more is taking place on my face already. One should never buy a 10x magnifying mirror!! It scares the bejesus out of you when you look at the damage and shape of what the skin is in that close! Plus all those veins popping out everywhere, including the whites of the eyes!!! It's like looking at a horror movie in real time!
You know, since I wrote this first sentence, the sun has just begun to shine! Thank you God, you must of heard my complaints and are so tired of them, you decided to give me just a taste, for now to shut me up!! He's such a tease!!

We went up to a little small cafe for lunch after before returning our overdue library books. We split a huge meatloaf sandwich, which had tomato's and cheese on it and to make it even more delicious, it was grilled!! Was it good! Then to the library to pick out more books. I headed to the section of the author of 'The Other Boleyn Girl," Philippa Gregory, to see what others she had written, and found she also wrote "The Boleyn Inheritance", more of the saga! I hope I enjoy it as much as the first book. I love historical fiction. I'm also looking forward to the movie which is to be out soon. I also brought back a few more of her books, plus one or two books of different authors. I feel such greed come over me, wanting ALL the books, when I know darn well, I'll read only one, but for the moment....I have them!!! The are MINE!!

After our lunch yesterday, one of Tom's friends came to the door with a beautiful bouquet of red roses for me!! He's such a thoughtful and caring man! He's always bringing me fun things to receive, flowers, chocolates, and remembers my birthday.......helloooooo out there all Tom's other friends.....hellooooo Doug!!! (Just teasing Doug, I love giving you a hard time!)

A car parked right beside ours was broken into last night in the underground parking lot!! The owners said the thieves had broke the drivers window, opened the little smoking drawer where they throw loose change into and all they knew was in there was two quarters. The thieves left the quarters, and left the owners with a insurance bill of nearly $300.00. I feel so bad, but also very glad, it wasn't our car!!

My granddaughter Sarah called me today, on her own accord, which was a nice surprise.She is 10 years old. She wanted to know when I'm coming home, that she misses me! She wants me to move back to Belleville, and just couldn't understand why I couldn't! It was a sweet phone call. She's learning French in school and was testing me on my forgotten high school French. She won!! Gosh, I'm having a hard time retaining my knowledge of plain English these days, let alone remembering French too. Her cat died two weeks ago and I guess she is still feeling the loss of her pet and needed to talk about it to me.

Speaking of pets, I better take TJ outside for her pee, while the sun shines!! However when I take her when it's raining, she sure gets the job done quick and runs for inside again. None of this sniffing at everything and peeing on every blade of grass or post!

Love from here!

Picture of the day:

It's a short walk down to the pier which you can see sticking out. The house's built on the mountain side is called British Properties and VERY expensive homes. The mountains are to the right. You should see the flowers starting to bloom!!!

Last Pictures of Toms Big Day

The Party's Over! Tom celebrated his birthday with lots of love and attention, and nearly set off the fire alarms with all the candles on his birthday cake. Onward ho to another year, and we wish him many, many more!!

left - right

Joan, Heather, Meredith, Tom, Dave, Jayme, Kim, Ed, Martin "Fantastic dinner!!"

Meredith, Linda, Tom

Can't have a birthday party without balloons eh?
Jayme, who is Dave's daughter. Dave is Merediths fiance.
Kim and Ed (Tom's grandson)


Martin (Tom's son) and his wife Joan, packing up our leftovers to take home!



Tom and his birthday bear that sings "Happy Birthday"

Blowing out all those candles were a tough job, so Meredith had to help!

THE SURPRISE PARTY

WITH HIS FRIENDS

Jean Morley, Tom, Doug, Dianne
Bill, Arliss, Linda, John

Jean Morley and Tom

Jean was married to one of Toms fireman friends and also has a cottage at Green Lake.

Bill and Arliss. Bill is Joan (Tom's late wife's) brother. Arliss, was Joan best friend and they all spent much time together at Green Lake, as did Bill and Dianne

Doug and Dianne.

Doug is a long time pal of Toms, and a really nice man. Also was on the fire dept. with Tom.

Dianne is a joy to be with. She is Bill's lovely wife and a super nice person, as is Bill!

Best Buddies!

Bill, Arliss, Tom and John. John and his wife Mavis (absent), are good friends of ours. John was on the ships with Tom during WWII, and for years and years, didn't realize they lived only a short distance away, until Tom recognized John coming out of a corner store! They couldn't believe they came across each other again, and the friendship had developed over the years. John is wonderful and so very thoughtful and brings me flowers for my pots, remembers, my birthday and today brought me roses!! Thank you my friend!!

The end of a good day!

Happy Birthday
until next year!!

I LOVE YOU
TOM!