Linda's Rambling and Other Things

WEST VANCOUVER HAS SNOW!

2012-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Snow! What a panic it causes when so enthusiastically forecast on the news, as if it was the end of the world about to arrive! Snow shovels fly of the store shelves and the grocery stores are busy with people stocking up on staples.

This morning, it was beautiful outside, with the trees laden with snow, but it had very early begun to turn to a miserable drizzle, threatening to take away the beauty, we rarely see.

Now, I'm talking about West Vancouver, not ALL of Vancouver and British Columbia, where you can turn on the TV and see tons of snow falling at higher elevations and into the interior and the avalanche risk and chains needed on car tires. We are at sea level, and I think the mountains around us, does something to how the snow falls on us here. We sure get the rain though! It's been VERY cold the past week as well, making my walks unpleasant. I don't like the cold!

So, before the snow melted, Tom after some grumbling, agreed to go on a little photo shoot with me. I didn't find anything really spectacular with the snow, but at least did find something different to take pictures of!

This is the little woodsy area across from the Library where on one of my walks, I jumped sky high when a coyote jumped out of the bushes. He ran away from me!

It's very pretty in all seasons back in here.

The Lagoon today and in Autumn (below)

Would you believe we still have hummingbirds coming to the feeder. The feeder froze yesterday, and the poor bird was frustrated trying to get a drink, so I brought it in last night to thaw out and place it back this morning. The hummingbird has been making return trips nearly every 3 minutes to feed.

Anyway, that's the latest from here.
What's new with you out there???

I'M HERE, FINALLY

2012-01-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Helloooooooo!

I'm getting slower and slower with this blog, but it's that grey, no colour time of year, that leaves me without inspiration to take pictures or to do anything at all except to get through each day!

Concentration on the present moment is quite an effort!

I'm beginning to skip the odd few and cold days of exercise of walking, ending up with adding a few pounds and feeling quite disappointed with myself. It's so difficult to get myself back on track, but....tomorrow is Monday, and isn't that when all diets begin?

I will be out the door early, and on my 5+ mile trek on the Seawall.
I've packaged up the candy and put them out of sight and have made a vow to stay out of all those sweet little goodies!

I'll let you know next blog, if I've been successful!! Wish me luck!

Tom has been gaining strength and feeling much more like himself as each day passes by. He hasn't been very active at all, just spends his days, reading or napping and regaining some energy.I've noticed a big change this past 3 days as his strength returns and he's now beginning to think about returning to his walks as well. Maybe that's the push I need to get going as well.

This is Tom's namesake, his nephew Tom!
(Julie, I can't find the picture of you and the two Toms ! Please forgive me!) It was so enjoyable to see you both again, and would be nice to visit more often. Enjoy your trip to Hawaii!

Below, is a picture with my iPhone. It's a nothing picture, but had to put something on here!

Just to add another picture, these are my 3X Great Grandparents!

I hope the resemblance diminished with the ages!

Yesterday we had Martin and Joan over for dinner and while Martin, our technical genius sorted out our computer problems, Joan and I rolled a huge container of loose change and without emptying the container, so far have counted and rolled over $200.00. The bank is going to hate me when I come lugging a big bag of coins! But it was fun, chatting and joking as we worked away, and Joan chasing the coins that got away and rolled here and there.

Today, Tom's sister Belle and husband Ken came over and we had a late lunch/early dinner. They just came home off a big trip to the French Polynesia, and filled us with envy at their adventures to Bora Bora and other places along the way.

Well, lacking things to talk about, I'll say goodnight, and try to think of something more interesting next time.
Bye for now.

Another Year Over, Another Just Begun

2012-01-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

Where did the last year go? Time seems to move so much faster now, but when I stop and really think about all that took place this year, I suppose we did fill up the days with this and that, but I think it's my memory that is getting shorter to remember all that took place, but I do know for the most part, it's been a fairly good year.

When I was much younger, and at the eve of a New Year, it was excitement, parties, celebraton and an eager feeling to be looking forward to whatever a brand new year would bring. Now, as I grow older and perhaps a tiny bit wiser, I face New Year's Eve with a bit of trepidation as to what may happen to upset our lives. I've begun to live in fear I suppose, and that's not a good thing! It's another sign of aging! But, it comes with living with a new's hound who enjoy's watching the same news report on the "Early News" the "5:30 News Report", plus "CNN". Thank goodness, we can't stay up long enough anymore for the 11 o'clock news, but we'll hear it for the next round of news in the morning to be sure!

We all hear of terrible events happening around the world and see the live pictures coming to us, of death and destruction, the weather devastation creating havoc that just churns my stomach, yet I can't turn away my eyes or plug my ears or pretend it's not happening.

We live in a world of fear!

So what to do? I hope! I pray!

I pray that all goes well in each and everyone's life this year, that joy and happiness abounds, and we make it through to 2013 healthy, happy and with no major disruptions to cause one tear to fall.

To change this downer topic, I can tell you our good news that Tom's pathology report came back that he is clear of cancer now. It's been a little tough on him this past week, recovering. I've learned that recuperation affects both physically and emotionally not only on the patient but the patients wife! But, it's all good and getting better, but a hard week just the same. We've been pretty well housebound, but today, we got out for a walk and already, I see a difference in our moods.

Any New Year's resolutions out there? Mine is to keep at the walking but to not come home and eat cookies!

I've eaten and put in the garbage, two empty boxes of chocolates before Tom remember's he's even seen them! Thank goodness for his foggy mind and sleeping so much that I could get rid of the evidence before he discovered it.Unless he's noticed my bulging thighs and tummy, just a bit bigger than last week! He sure will know it when he reads this blog now, but I've confessed and that hopefully will make me do better, because I'll be watched more closely now eh? Of course it could go the other way and I may kill him if he say's one word or gives me one look to stir up my conscience. That's what happens with us sweet addicts!

Anyone out there agree?

As I write this, there is NO news on, Tom is reading a book, and we have the fire on and crackling with a beautiful blaze. I think we've really gone round the bend, sitting here with a fire on our TV screen!

No fear though, only if a spark jumps onto our carpet, or if the hand reaching in to put on another log get's burned!

Okay, okay...I've gone round the bend for sure.

Time to go check what's for dinner.

Again...Happy New Year!

The Day After Christmas

2011-12-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

I heard a huge big sigh of relief from around the world this morning that Christmas was finally over. Doesn't it feel great? All that hustle and bustle and money flying from the purse and bank accounts, especially if people took in the Boxing Day sales!

With Tom's colon cancer prognosis, our time was consumed with lab tests, and more lab tests, of every kind imaginable. Christmas was just put on the back burner and more important priorities took its place.

The fear of the outcome consumed our minds and stress and worry filled every space in our thoughts.

If you have been reading the updates below, you know what took place, and that so far all is well.

We still have the pathology reports to come back with the "all clear" but we are, with a prayer, following the Doctor's lead, in being optimistic that all is well and we will be finished with this whole horrible procedure.

Yesterday, Christmas Day, I was on the bus heading to the hospital to spend Christmas morning with Tom, when my cell phone rang and he told me to get off the bus at the next stop and head back home for the car. He was able to come home for a few hours! Good news, especially for Christmas Day, but not good for me with the bus schedule having changed for that day and less buses running.

I stood in the pelting down rain for 30 minutes in an unsheltered bus stop and no umbrella and too far to walk!

Finally, I was able to make a connection on a different bus, that took me part way back and then had to catch another to our corner.

Anyway, Tom was like a kid at Christmas with a great gift given to him.... to come home until 7p.m.

We opened some lovely gifts from my family and what I was able to pick up for him in between bus trips to the hospital. So, it was wonderful!

Christmas dinner was a bowl of soup, as I had no idea he'd be home and had nothing prepared, but that was all he felt like eating, so it was okay.

Today...Tom called about 10 a.m. and he got the OK from the Doctor, to go home for good!

Still a few minor things to deal with, but he's resting and comfortable and in a warm room instead of that freezing room he was in. Also, of course he's now being treated like a king! At least until the end of the week eh? I figure that is long enough to milk the situation!

It is soup again tonight..sadly no turkey leftovers which to me is what Boxing Day is all about!

Those lovely turkey sandwiches!

But soon as his majesty is feeling better, we'll have some. Maybe for New Years Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying your own leftover's tonight, and not eating too many chocolates.

I mentioned to the nurse how quiet it was in the hospital on the 25th, and she said that normally,it will get really busy tomorrow! I asked why, and she said, that many people just eat and drink too much at Christmas and end up with some kind of attack on the system. As we where leaving the hospital today, it came over the intercom the message about a hospital overload! I wondered it Christmas eating was the reason.

Enjoy and don't eat too much!

(I gained 7 pounds....no walking, stuffing whatever in my mouth while alone at night, and I'll chalk it all up to stress, and not gluttony....thank you very much!

However, some of that is included too!

Tom's 5th Day Post Surgery

2011-12-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

Monday to Friday and almost home again!

Today, a rainy cold day, and another trip to the hospital.

Tom is now out of the Critical Care Unit, and into a regular hospital room, but thinks he's to be moved somewhere else soon.

He even had his first meal since last Saturday, which was far from being gourmet, but even though,likely to him probably pretty darn delicious.

I was there when his lunch arrived, and I have to say, the food in hospital leaves much to desire!

Strange coloured mushroom watery soup, some Boost, a small container of milk and one of juice, and pudding that looked like a slab of butter.

The orchestra has been tuning up down in his belly, the catheter's been removed and things are returning to normal! He's still hooked up to an IV and dragging around a pole and a machine that keeps beeping and being a nuisance. Nothing to do with Tom, just the machine's low battery not being plugged in, because the wires are practically hanging on his face!

Boy, does he look good too! I think he looks healthier looking than when he went in, but maybe because I've seen him for the past few days look like he'd been dragged through hell!

I am quite sure he'll be home by Monday. The pathologist report has not come back as yet, so until that report is in, we are still holding our breath. The surgeon, is fairly sure it will be okay, so don't uncross those finger's yet!!

So, this will be the end of my saga of Toms colon cancer surgery. An "on the edge your seat" episode eh?

It has been for us!

Unless something drastic happened, I think we are going to be okay now, and as Tom tells everyone, our life is an open book, with this blog being my big mouth!!

Again, thanks for all your wonderful, kind support that got us through.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Third Day After Surgery

2011-12-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Yup! The drugs have been lowered, the epidural removed, most of all that tubing has been taken away. Tom is back to normal, his wild trips are, thank goodness over!

Thanks Barbara for this cute saying above that is very appropriate for this post!
Tom went through a terrible time on those drugs and as well as being comical for us, it was also very disturbing, and very difficult for him.
I am very happy to have him well again, cancer free, and this bad dream just about over.

He had the nurses, laughing and giggling at even his lucid moments, at his wit and fantastic humour. He is quite the comic and the most likeable man I know.
He was up on his feet today, walking down the hall, further and more often, pushing IV pole along with him, sitting for a while watching TV in the television room, before nodding off again to sleep. Then it was back to bed again.

His poor tummy is very distended and full of gas, and once that releases, he can have a little food for the first time since last Saturday. The nurses say they are waiting for the "trumpets to blow!" So far..just a bugle toot!

So, he's coming home, sore, but cancer free! What a wonderful Christmas gift for us all, I just wish I could wave a magic wand and have cancer disappear from everyone's lives.
We must somehow stamp out this disease with a cure! Please everyone, remember it in your thoughts and prayers as you read this and maybe our collective thought and prayers will help. Anything is worth a try!

I don't think Tom will make it home for Christmas, but hopefully a day or two later. I miss him terribly, I don't sleep well, sitting here without him is not a complete home at all. Plus.....I can't stop eating!!! While he loses weight, it finds ME!
However he will be so pleased when he gets home to see I did NOT renovate the whole place as his drugs had him thinking I had done, plus he thought my taste was horrible!! I did NOT make this a two bedroom condo by hanging hospital curtains down the middle of the bedroom! So funny!

To everyone...thank your for your kind word of encouragement, your phone calls, emails, and cards, and concern. We both appreciate all you did you help us through this scary time.

This is what I opened my eyes to this morning. I lay in bed looking at the beauty as the sky changed by the second, then jumped out of bed and got my camera before daylight came and the moon disappeared to attempt to capture it all.
The string of lights is called "Gracie's Necklace", and it's the lights on the Lion's Gate Bridge.

Below are some of the picture's I took in North Vancouver, while walking to the Lonsdale Quay.

A huge bear!

A STARVING horse! In fact, I think he's done for!

Pansies just planted.

Downhill walk down Lonsdale Ave. That's Vancouver across the water.

From the Lonsdale Quay, looking towards Vancouver

Pilot Boats or Rescue boats...I'm not sure what.

Dear Santa,

I don't want much for Christmas, I just want the person reading this to
be happy. Friends are the fruit cake of life --- some nutty, some soaked
in alcohol, some sweet but mix them together and they're my friends .

At Christmas you always hear people talking about what they want & bought.
This is what I want: I want people who are sick with no cure, to be
cured. I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to
never have to worry about food, shelter & heat. I want peace on earth,
goodwill and love for everyone!

Thank you Dorothy for the above!

Day 2 After Toms Surgery

2011-12-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

Tom's second day after surgery.

Tom has had a very difficult time with the medication given to him and the poor man is so confused about where he is and why he is there.

He's tried to come home and phoned almost every 15 minutes the whole of last night.

He's also exhausted, not having had much sleep at all and no food of course since Saturday.

However, they are going to lessen the dosage of the drugs given, but not sure which one is causing the problem, or just the whole cocktail he's been given.

Apparently, this is quite common and not to worry, that he'll bounce back to his normal self in a few days.

The doctor was in when I was there and he said he won't be home for Christmas, but that's not a priority at all.

He is on his feet and is able to walk up the hall with assistance, and his stomach is quite distended with gas, and I'm sure when he starts to thaw out down there, he'll feel MUCH better.

I'm tired, worn to a frazzle and about to head to the bath and very early to bed.

Meredith is visiting him tonight and stopping here to pick up his iPad2 which he desperately wants to have with him. I don't like the idea, as things have a way of disappearing in hospitals and I'm also afraid of it falling should he drift off to sleep, but he's relentless about wanting it.

That's it for now, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him.

day 2 in hospital

2011-12-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

One day AFTER Tom's operation

Tom looks fantastic today, but boy oh boy, is he out of it with the drugs.

His eyes, are just not sharp looking but his sense of humour is strongly in high gear!

He's still in the observation room, and getting much attention. He has the nurses laughing and telling them stories, some of which they aren't sure is true.

This is Julie, one of the nurses.

This is Stephanie, who Tom could only hear from behind the closed curtains at first, and he swore it was me talking, as he though we both sounded the same and used the same expressions. He thought I had come to take over the hospital and was telling them all what to do.....which I suppose I do at times...a fault of mine!

They had to convince him I wasn't there!

When I first got to his room, the cleaning man came into the room and Tom asked him if he'd fix the clock, because he couldn't tell the correct time if it was 7pm or 7 am. This balloon was what he thought was a clock!

Man! What a trip he was on!!

He was also convinced they had removed 12 feet of his colon, and I had to convince him it was 1 foot.

What a trooper, up and walking a little in hall, and still cracking the jokes.

He wanted me to leave my cell phone with him, so I did.

I left about 1:30 so he could get some rest and I was going to walk to the Quay, some 15 blocks away..and downhill, and then buy some soup for the freezer and some fruit then take the bus home from there.

When I got home he was on the answering machine talking, so I rushed to the phone. He sounded confused with everything he was talking about, and extremely out of reality. I had told him earlier that his son Martin would be in this evening. Well, he kept wondering when his brother Ed was coming. Ed is his brother who passed away about 8 years ago. He was so worried about Ed!

I asked him to let me talk to the nurse, and then I heard her asking at the same time if she could talk to me, and she asked him my name and he was trying to remember that!

She came on and asked if this was normal at all, and I told her absolutely not, that he so confused it scares me. Apparently he tried to get up and go home after I left, and then he was calling me on my cell phone nearly every 15 minutes, leaving messages on the answering machine here at home, that I hope I can keep on the machine for him to hear himself when he get's home.

So, they were going to call the doctor to get his medication changed and take away the cell phone for now, until he was more himself.

Those drugs can certainly alter the mind!

But, he's doing well, was sitting up in a chair for awhile, but then had some pain, so they upped the medication for him, which likely was what made him worse after I had left.

I hope tomorrow things will be much better and he's has his very intelligent mind back again.

More tomorrow...

Day of Surgery-Dec.19, 2011

2011-12-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

First Update!

5:25 pm West Coast Time

Well, it's all over and all okay! What a relief!

Tom had a miserable night staying up into the wee hours of the morning, still drinking and expelling that horrible preparation cocktail they give you before surgery.

He was feeling very hungry, very worn out, and anxious to just get on with it, so, we arrived at the hospital a little early and he had to sit around in those weird gowns for a few hours. His surgery was scheduled for 11:55 am, but he never went in until 12:55 pm.

The doctor called with the good news that although it was a little difficult (I failed to ask what that was about), they removed a foot of his colon and figured they got it ALL!!

Goodbye Cancer!!!

The lymph nodes also have been removed and the Doctor said, until the results are back from pathology, they won't know for certain, but confident there won't be a problem.

He was still in recovery, was not in pain, and would be in his room until 9 tonight.

I'll be back in the morning to see him.

Thanks EVERYONE for your good wishes and prayers....they worked!

Another update and maybe a picture tomorrow.

I'm off to the tub to relax and off to bed!

FIRST THE BAD NEWS, THEN THE GOOD NEWS AND MORE OTHER STUFF

2011-12-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

First the bad news: We had a bump in our own little universe here at home, with finding out 19 days ago, after Tom's colonoscopy that he has colon cancer.

Now the good news! We have fantastic doctor's and after many, many tests, Tom is heading to surgery on Monday Dec. 19th to have that evil monster cut out of him.

Better still, it's a small cancer in an easy to reach part of the colon, but nevertheless, a very serious surgery that will have him recovering in the hospital for 7-8 days.

The Surgeon is very optimistic that all will be well, that the cancer has been caught in time and hasn't spread, but again...all will be revealed during the operation.

Tom has a very upbeat, as well as good positive attitude and just eager to get this over with. He is still joking and flirting with the nurses and female technicians that have been poking him with needles and pushing and prodding him over the past few weeks. I am amazed he doesn't glow from the radiation in his body!

Christmas has been packed away in our thoughts while we deal with this problem. ( All we wish and care about is a good recovery!

(My other wish list is still on the fridge though!)

There will be many trips back and forth to the hospital in the week ahead, as I sooth his fevered brow, and overseeing that his care is only the best!

I expect, it will be very tiring to keep repeating over and over to those who are concerned, regarding how he is doing, so I'll TRY to just put a tiny little update on here when I get home each day.

Please send some healing thoughts to him!

Tom trying to nap, but Benji has other idea's! Picks at Toms hair and maybe leaves a little poop behind!

December Group Lunch and this is what I wore.

Did anyone pick out this fashion mistake in the above picture? I got dressed, looked in the shoe cupboard and pulled out these two shoes to try on and see what looked better. You know how ones memory sometimes last for 2 seconds when heading to do one thing and end up doing another....well, I headed to look in the mirror and ended up doing something else and totally forgot about my shoes!

Away we went and I noticed a slight limp, so when we got in the elevator, I lifted my leg up for Tom to check to see if the rubber heel had come off one shoe, because it also made a clicking sound when I walked and the other didn't. Tom glanced and said, "Maybe it's worn a little on one side of the heel".

I accepted that as I click clacked and limped with one short leg to the car, but still didn't notice anything wrong. We drove off, and had gone away's before I glanced down at my shoes, and noticed I had two different shoes on!!! Ohh noooo!!! We were going to a nice restaurant too!!!

Tom laughed, told me not to worry and that I could tell anyone who noticed that this was a new fad and they had to catch up on the latest fashion.

Look at these two very handsome men! One is my husband the other is just a wonderful sweetheart of a man and when I get mad at Tom, I ask Doug, will he rent one of his bedrooms to me! He never takes me up on it!

This is the old railway station that Doug pointed out, he could still see the hall filled with men in uniform, as the troops got on the trains, to take them off to WW11. A new station was built somewhere in the 60's or 70's and this beautiful place is now part of the Sea Bus station and Canada Line and Sky Train and Sea Planes. Also in the area of where the Cruise Ships come in while in port.

It's a beautiful heritage building with lovely high ceilings and I bet if the walls could talk, what stories they could tell.

It's much like our Toronto Union Station...once a grand old place, and so disappointing to see how it's fallen from what it once was, when I took the train from Toronto to Belleville last summer.

Our restaurant called The Rogue was also in this building.

One of the huge beautiful ceiling lights in The Rogue.

Doug, Dianne, Linda on the left side and Debbie, Bill and Tom on the right side.

Sadly Dave was missed, and we had hoped that Doug would have bought one of his friends along, but maybe next time. More the merrier!!

We are a happy bunch and much chit-chat and a whole lot of laughter goes back and forth between us all.

When we left the restaurant, we wondered what these three men where doing behind our car. When we got closer, it was a nice surprise to see Rick Hanson. Now, this Rick Hanson is one classy man!!! After I sheepishly asked him, would he allow me to take his picture, which he was extremely gracious about, he then asked Tom if this was his car that had the Veteran's licence plate. Tom said it was, and Rick reached out to shake Tom's hand and said "Thank you Sir", meaning Tom had served in the war. Now to me, that's CLASS!

He's even better looking in person and such a nice man! We also thanked him!

Look at that stupid gob smacked look on my face! Tom and Rick having a laugh about something!

It's Toms son Martin's 63rd birthday! My stepson is only 4 years younger than I am! He's a great guy, but he never listens to my motherly advice!

He's unwrapping a birthday gift we gave him and I think he loved it!

What the heck is this I bet your thinking! Tom is playing a game with Byron, his/our G-Grandson. It's a Velcro hat that they both wear and then see who can throw a Velcro ball and have it stick on the other's head.

Great Shot Byron!

Yup, Byron won, and you look very silly Tom!!

Happy Birthday to you...happy birthday to you......

Joan, our wonderful hostess! It's the only picture I took of everyone around the table that turned out. They turned out, but everyone's expression was so bad, that if I posted them here, I may not get invited back! Better to be safe than sorry!

This little pretty one is Taya who is going to be 1 whole year old in a few days! She alway's wears this sweet smile on her face, however whenever she looked at me, she broke out in tears! Was it my shoes?

We drove to Dundarave to see the Christmas trees that I posted on the last blog, lit up in full glory! It was much prettier than my camera would take.

That's it for now! More after Monday!

Tom would love to hear from anyone as he spends Christmas in the hospital, so if you'd like to drop him a line, you can do it through my irish5@hotmail.com address, which also goes on my iPhone, which will come to the hospital with me to show him.

WHAT I SEE THROUGH MY NEW GLASSES

2011-12-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist a laugh at my expense, by posting this fun picture of myself. Do you like my new glasses and my weight loss?

I was playing with a photo program last night and sat and laughed at my new look I created! I look like a martian.

I did get new reading glasses though and what a difference! I had been using dollar store glasses and apparently they were too strong for my eyes, plus one eye is weaker then the other. Ahhh, another wee step into old age!

Below: Some pictures I took last weekend at a wonderful Clarke family dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.

Most of you who follow the blog will recognize Bill and Dianne, and hopefully Tom and I too!

Lovely family!

Me thinks...I need a new bra! The girls are hanging pretty low!

We home from somewhere and the crows outside we're causing a huge ruckus, outside the patio door. We knew something was up, so went out and here this racoon had made it's way on top of a tree, and was having a hard time finding a good way down. The crow's kept bombarding it, and it was fun to watch the dilemma the raccoon was in.

I don't like racoons!! Too many stupid people let their cats stay out at night, and sometimes in the dark hours of the night or wee early morning hours, you can hear the scream of a animal caught by the many racoons around here. Could be coyote's too, but I doubt a bear would be around, although they have been sighted just across the road, but that would be extremely rare, I would think.
Within a day or two, there are poster's of missing cats, attached to telephone poles here and there, and it makes me so sad to think about their loving animals possible fate.

Christmas is showing up everywhere...well, since Halloween candy went on sale anyway!

These Christmas trees are decorated by the merchants and some are also in memory of a loved one who have passed away. A lovely tribute I think!
They are in Dundarave and I every year, I find it so astonishing that these trees are left with beautiful decorations and light, for a whole month, unattended, and nobody, steals any of the decorations or lights! There is some goodness left in the world!

That's moi standing there!

I don't know how many Christmas tree's stand here, but it takes awhile to look at them all. At night the lights are turned on, and Tom and I will have to drive up to see them this month. We could walk the Seawall, I suppose, but I hate being out at night anymore for very long! But we MAY just stroll up and have dinner and take in the festivities and huge bon fire and the Carol Ships that go by.

Look at all the new little cars hung on this tree, and they will remain there untouched....amazing!

Fishing lures on the one below.

Loved this one below from the Fire Dept. Even boots and helmet beside it and look at the toys hung also.

Another early morning walk!
These trees are holding on to their leaves and not relinquishing their beauty much to my delight!
I have this thing with tree's! Love them!

Same morning, not one adjustment on my camera, just a turn of the body in another direction as the sun comes up over Vancouver. Rarely do I attempt to make adjustments! I love the Intelligent Auto built in!

Love this in shadow picture of the man watching the ducks in the water.

Someone does all these stone balancing, and it's amazing to see how well they are balanced. Too bad the tide comes in and knocks them over, but whoever builds them is persistent and they are right back again.

This is just a small portion of the balanced rocks. I've never seen anyone doing it, they are just there! Maybe we have mystical mermaids playing in the night!

How can I not enjoy walking when looking at such a beautiful world and a new day beginning.

Again, within minutes the sky changes, the clouds move, the sun reaches higher in the sky and I just can't resist pulling the camera from my pocket and capturing nature in all it's glory!
I know you looking at these photo's may be getting tired of many of the same shots, and I'm sorry, but I love every one of them and just get so excited at what I see, I want to share it with you.

I wonder where this ship is heading and what kind of sea's it will encounter. What is all that cargo? Is it Canadian goods being exported or are those empty containers, heading to China or Thailand or wherever, to be filled with cheap goods and brought back to Canada, which if possible, I refuse to buy anymore. I prefer to shop for Canadian made goods.

Continuing now past the Lagoon and took a peek in. Two muskrats where in the contraption for keeping out debris and maybe keeping the water moving...I'm not sure what it's for, but there are fish in there, and the muskrats were after their breakfast. One took a dive when me saw me near, and I only caught this one.

Last night, we had an invitation for dinner at Tom's sister Isabelle and husband Ken's home for one of Ken's delicious plank salmon BBQ dinner. Isabelle always puts out such good munchies, before dinner, and it's hard to stay out of them, to save room for a delectable dinner!

This lucky couple just came back from Palm Spring, then Arizona and heading off in a few days for a cruise to the French Polynesia Islands for a 27 day. Then...back to Palm Springs for a few months!
I'm green with envy!
But still wish them a wonderful Bon Voyage and hope they enjoy their vacation!

What a team in getting the meal ready! It was fantastic...as usual!

I wanted a picture of brother and sister, Tom and Isabelle, and took it, and then we began taking pictures of the rest of us. That picture I took of Tom and Isabelle, has just disappeared from my camera and it was the only one we didn't look at after. I guess it never took! The one I wanted of them together!
Oh well...Ken and I got our picture taken! It turned out!

Ken and Isabelle's turned out!

Tom and I made it through the camera's parts and pieces, but I don't know what happened to Tom and Belle's.
Guess, the camera just couldn't handle their good looks!

My goodness, are we getting old or what!!!

My Aunt Colleen thought that was REALLY me in a normal picture at the beginning of this blog!
COLLEEN!!!!!!! How could you?????
Here's some more laughs for you!

Frog Face

Scared myself!!

I'm just a dizzy old thing entertaining myself!!

Bye until next time!

IT'S COLDER AS THE SUN COMES UP OVER VANCOUVER

2011-11-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Gathering nuts is such hard work!

Frost above British Properties which is very high up on the mountain, so they may have snow up there, but we won't have any down here.

I wonder how many bears are roaming around up there?

When I reach Dunderave and turn around to walk home, the sun is just beginning to appear, and the scenery is just so darn beautiful, and so changing every few moments, that I can't help taking picture after picture. I love them all....you can just quickly scan through them if you choose.

One side of the Lion's Gate Bridge

The other side, or just a tad different!

The sun's shining on the ships

Much the same pictures, but the sky is glorious!

I was trying to capture the frost on this plant, but the frost isn't heavy enough yet to really show up.

I can never get over this tree, that just won't give up it's leaves, even after that wind storm we had and all the heavy rain, they hang on.

The big green tree in front of it, had some branches broken off, and fell to the ground and walking by it, was the beautiful scent of pine that had me thinking I should bring some branches home and make a wreath for Christmas. But that was in my other life that I did such things.
Next day the branches where all gone.

Now this tree, was dropping leaves constantly, and it reminded me of the song "Pennies from Heaven". I got out my camera and it didn't capture a single one falling. I had to shake them off my hat!!! Honest!

Look at these poor creatures! Just standing there with cold feet!
They must wonder what happened! The end of the world is near, maybe?

Ahhh, I'll just have a snooze and when I wake up, it will be back to water!

Look at how the ice has all little patterns in it, as if Jack Frost painted it.

A frosty field.

That's it for now! I have pictures of a large family dinner of 21 people last night that we went to, and I'll show them later in the week.
Last week, I finally took the plunge and bought a pair of prescription reading glasses, after having my eyes tested. I've been wearing dollar store reading glasses, but my eyes have been terribly strained and sore, and reading, and being on the computer hasn't been comfortable. Apparently one eye is good, the other is a different number all together, and the good eye is working overtime to compensate for the weak one.
I can't wait to get them and hope it makes a huge difference!!
More later.

A WAlK ON THE WILD SIDE

2011-11-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

I took a little walk on the wild side the other day and what fun I had!!

A beautiful storm was blowing but the air was warm enough to enjoy the high winds, however the Seawall has bends and curves in it and what could be just windy in one spot, the next little bend would have me nearly bent over as I fought against the wind pushing me one step forward and two steps back.

But it was the waves that made it so much fun! Plus the tide was IN!

I came around the first corner of the Seawall and then the fun began!

Nice here, but windy

Zowie, look at those waves!!!

The waves haven't reached the Seawall here.

Lots of logs floating in also.

Feet a bit wet here.

The fun begins!

Here, you have to keep your eye's on the huge rollers's coming in, so it's a quick step to avoid them when the crash on shore.

This lady, walking along, just missed the biggest wave that I got hit with. She walked by unaware to the comedy behind her! I saw this massive wave rolling towards me and jumped into this little alcove with three benches, set far back from the water. But I ended up jumping up on the bench, and going as far up as sitting on the top of the bench and my feet on the seat. My both feet and half way to my knees got caught in the cold water. People walking near me, also jumped into the alcove, but I was taking up the whole bench furthest in, so they where crawling in behind me, all yiking and yahooing and laughing, as we tried to get out of the way.

I took the picture seconds later of the lady who missed the whole thing. Look at that wave breaking at the next curve...I hope she gets one like we got!

This fellow is just watching it all from a safe shelter.

It was a fun walk with the storm, and I took MANY pictures!
The next day, it was calm waters again, and not nearly as exciting a walk!

But it was a surprise!!
I'm almost in Dundarave before 7am and I saw this lady taking off her clothes and about to go into the water. I was at a part of the Seawall where I couldn't get a good picture and I wasn't sure if maybe she was in trouble in her mind, so I RAN as fast as I could, but when I got to where she was, she had already gone in the water and was back out and was drying herself off.
I knew she was alright, so before I approached her, I snuck a few pictures...trusty camera, always at the ready! Then I went over to talk to her. She apparently does this quite often, all winter long, with quick dips in the ocean. This lady is 79 years old, white long hair, a face and body that is flawless! I don't know if she went in with a bathing suit or not, but she was naked when I was there! She's done this all her life!
If only I'd known I may have started that practice when I was young, if I knew I'd look like she does at 79 years old!

These fellow's aren't unusual to see. Many are along the walk.

The dogs are always enjoying the water, no matter how cold it is!

They have so much fun and freedom here!

I often stop and take this scene, it's the same, yet always different!

The last stretch before reaching Park Royal and coffee!!!! I love going through this stretch of woods. Yesterday, I went though and they had vacuumed up all the leaves! Not quite as nice without the carpet of golden leaves.

Snow on the mountain in November! The ski hills are happily rubbing their hands together, that the skiing has already begun for an early season.

A few people have asked me what kind of camera I use. Finally, I have remembered to answer this question while I'm doing this blog.

Lumix by Panasonic DMC-TZ5

I bought it approx. 4-5 years ago and paid somewhere just above the $300.00 mark.
I love this camera. It has a very large viewing screen, simple to use, with Intelligence Automatic, which is what I use most of the time, unless I can keep MYSELF focused enough when I see a great shot to make the proper settings, which is easy to do once you get use to it.
I carry my camera in my purse without a case and unfortunately I banged it against something and the viewing area has a black line across the screen now, but it doesn't affect the picture at all. But, love the size for this reason..fits in my purse or pocket!
I've taken thousands of pictures on the one battery, but lately, the camera is acting up somewhat, and won't open up for me. I think the battery finally needs to be replaced, which I THINK is about $50.00 for the battery, but not sure, as I haven't really inquired too far about it. But, again...thousands of pictures have come out of this one battery.
Another good thing, it takes less then an hour for a charge, and it will last a very long time, unless taking movies, which I don't bother with.

They have newer versions of this camera now, so if you are interested in this little gem, just type Panasonic Lumix in your computer and all the newer versions will come up.

I'd love a camera with all the bells and whistles, and more zoom (this one will go up to 16 zoom).
I have an old SLR Canon with all bells and whistles and huge telescope zoom, but not digital! Not fun to carry around, it's an extra carry on when travelling too, so this little fellow is the answer for me.

Another blog coming today sometime.
Is anyone having problems loading my site with maybe the too many pictures I put on it?
Please let me know!

WHAT'S NEW IN OUR LIFE IN VANCOUVER

2011-11-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

HOWDY EVERYONE FROM BENJI AND US OTHER TWO!

I'd love to say that the bird flew over to investigate what I was doing and just being the friendly, playful bird I hoped we had adopted. But, I suppose he's still mad at us for clipping his wings and taking him from his other bird chums in the pet store.

I'd say he's come around about 1% out of 100!

His cage door is open for his freedom and he can fly, but not up and away that we can't get to him, he can fly about our shoulder level. We take him from the cage in within seconds he's retreated to his cage again, sitting on his perch,to just sit and stare at us and blink the odd time. He won't play with his toys, just eats and poops! I keep telling him we are trading him in for a cat! Or if he doesn't soon lose his unfriendly attitude, we'll get a cat as well as him! That should put some expression in him!!

We took the bus downtown to see the Art Gallery site, with has been taken over by Vancouver's Tent City, which is supposed to be part of the worldwide retaliation over Government spending or whatever the cause is supposed to be, which to me and other's has become one big pain in the ass for Vancouver and the beauty of this downtown city!

Have a look!

There has been two deaths within tent city so far, with drug overdoses. It's a mess, an embarrassment and the city is doing what it can to get rid of them without another riot like we had with the hockey game fiasco! They certainly have made a mockery of what this was originally was planned to be!

The pictures below was on my morning walk as the sun was rising. I think this first picture with this sky looks like something that would hang in an art gallery.

"Morning has broken." (That was also on my iTunes at the same time I took this picture with was ironic!) I thought so anyway!

It was still quite dark as I walked this trail earlier than usual on this morning. At one point, I could hardly find where I was walking. Very foolish of me, and I won't be doing that again. I'm glad the time changed and its lighter in the morning.

Tom and I went for a morning drive through Stanley Park and stopped at Prospect Point for some pictures. I think we missed the full splendour of the leaves changing colour by about a week.
Hope you like these.
Looking towards where we live in West Vancouver.

Lion's Gate Bridge below.

So darn pretty! I love Autumn...and Spring and Summer! Winter...ehhhhh!

Looking over at part of my daily walk.
The houses built on the mountain side are million dollar homes. Called British Properties.
See the far left by the water? That's the dock, just up from where we poor people live!

A closer up view where the poor people like us live...and how I love it!

So many beautiful roads and trails to explore in Stanley Park.

The Hollow Tree
I've written about the Hollow Tree in Stanley Park before. Since I wrote about it before, the tree was ready to fall over when we had the huge wind storm a few years ago. Restoration of the famous landsite began and here is the results. (The tree is in the middle in picture below)

I don't know what it cost to restore this old dead tree, and I don't know why, but it meant a lot of some people with a huge passion to keep it in a standing position.
It's reinforced with bands and rods of steel.

It's charred from fires that people in the past, had build fires inside to stay warm and escape the elements.
Many, many initials are also carved inside.

Onward Ho around the Park and pictures, pictures, pictures!!

We are now on the Seaway on the Vancouver side. I look way over here in the morning.

They have lovely sand over here, darn it! We have rocks!! (But, very nice rocks!)

That pink building is an apartment building that is called "The Pink Palace". Nice place too! I walk past it everyday!

Below; That's Tom sitting in the car while I click on this and that!

I get in the car and we continue on.

I thought I'd help the Parks Board out and get some exercise, so raked up all these leaves for them!
Do you believe me?

This tree is my very favourite tree in the Park! It's beautiful in ALL seasons!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sorry for posting so many pictures, instead of telling you what's up around here. Next blog, I'll tell you. It's not great news! Tooth problems again!!!!!!

First snow on the mountains! The ski hill across from us is now open!! No snow down here, in fact, I walk in a short sleeve t-shirt and a fleeze zip up!

Our monthly lunch at a very nice East Indian restaurant. Delicious!
Dianne, Bill, Dave who is our new member of this little event, and Tom.
Doug thought he'd miss our lunch and go on a vacation to Turkey instead! Imagine that!!! We missed him though, as well as Debbie who had a prior engagement!

The food was YUMMY! Great choice Bill and Dianne! (We take turns choosing a place to dine. December is Doug's turn, and the heat is on him!)

Bad, bad perm there Linda!

The next 3 pictures make our men so endearing to our hearts....picking up the bill!!

Thanks guys!! We love all of you!

Whew! Long blog full of pictures. It's been a couch potato afternoon, doing nothing but this and drinking coffee, and the odd cookie, made and brought to me by my loving husband!

I'll try to blog more often, so the picture's aren't so darn long!! I just can't seem to leave any of them out!!!!
Bye for now!

TO MY FATHER, ADOLPHE LEO GUTTIN WHO WAS BORN 93 YEARS AGO TODAY.
DIED IN 1991.
YOU ARE NEVER FAR FROM MY THOUGHTS.

OUR DAYS LATELY

2011-10-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Everyone know's that it is autumn, but does ANYONE know where summer went?

Another big question that hit me today was when I was asked my age on a form, in order to get a flu shot. I wrote the numbers 67, and then had to stop and think...can that be right? My mind is going slowly wonky, but I wanted to write 48 and that seemed to be the proper age..not 67! A quick calculation from 2011 from 1944, and it came out 67!

HOLY COW!!!!

But, my math has always been a terribly hard challenge for me, so I did the calculations with a pencil and darned if it didn't come out 67 AGAIN!!

It just seems like yesterday, friends would say "Lordy Lordy, Linda's FORTY!"

Damn...there isn't anything that even rhymes with 67!

So, looking on the bright side...I got a FREE flu shot for winning the prize of being over 65.

I suddenly felt very, very, very OLD! The sad part is that it will get worse, the good part is that I can still keep counting!

It's been so long since I last blogged and I apologize for my lack of interest that has come over me with computers. I think all this new technology and changes that has me befuddled, and not caring to learn anymore.

Yup...getting older eh!

Well, let me see if I can bring you up to date on at least a few things in the extremely boring life of Linda!

I'll understand if you click off now!

The most amazing thing in my life is my committment to walking and losing weight that has continued with me since last March. I get up every morning at 6 am, out the door by 6:15, into the darkness, with my iPhone blasting out fast tunes into my ear to help me walk faster. I walk 5 MILES, somedays just a little more, but I'm keeping it up which amazes myself. My weight is down about 40 pounds however doesn't seem to want to move further. All the good people out there, encourage me, by telling me muscle weighs more than fat, so not to worry! All my BIG clothes are stored away, just in case this is another passing fancy! I shouldn't even be telling anyone this, because there are days when I want to eat everything in sight..and I do! I hate to write this then fail!

I've bought some new stuff, but not much, as some things still fit. I've lost my love of shopping however, because as the determination stays with me to go all the way with dropping pounds, I hate to spend money on something I can only wear for a short time.

I walk rain or shine, unless it's pelting down rain, and I've done that also, only to return with wet feet that slop with every step, and soaked to the skin, but feeling triumphant! ( I will walk if it's raining lightly.

I love walking in the morning, I love watching the sun come up and a new day beginning. I'm not alone out there either! This is one healthy area and many people are out jogging and walking in the dark. I do keep my eyes sharp but not only for who is coming up behind me, but the darn skunks! Now, I hear the bears are coming further down from the hills, but I doubt very much I'll see one of those.

I do stop at the halfway mark, a coffee shop and the thought of that coffee is like a carrot hanging in front of a horse that keeps me trudging on for that first wonderful first sip!

I call my family and friends in Ontario and keep up to date with them, and I really enjoy that time.

Then the last leg and last 2 miles, and by now the traffic is very busy, and the world had come fully alive! I come home a different way, and close to the highway, but still a lovely walk...and then there is a hill to climb. Funny, how that hill was a mountain at the beginning and now I hardly think of it.
I'm home and Tom has breakfast waiting for me, and I must say, he makes the perfect boiled egg!

Here's a few pictures of my walk, which you've seen before, but still different depending on the time of day.

How can I not love walking and seeing this!!

Below: Crime in Progress!!
This fellow I caught going into the community gardens at first light, and going from vegetable plant here and there and taking the tomato's and whatever was there to steal.
I didn't want him to see me taking his picture...I may have had to outrun him!!

The swans and ducks are all well!

This seagull was carting around a huge stick! Of course he dropped it as soon as I had him in focus!

Lovely colour!

It does look dark doesn't it!

We went off to watch Martin play hockey one day. He's the one decked out as goalie. He kept this one out of his net!

Getting ready...the puck is on it's way to his end!

Father's never stop being proud of their son's playing hockey, no matter how old the child is!
Must note..when I wasn't taking pictures and watching the game, I had discovered this super FANTASTIC vibrating chair behind us!!
I spent all my Toonies and Loonies and had a smile on my face doing it!

Christy (more than a friend and almost a step daughter) (another life) got married! She's one beautiful girl and Christy,
I'm so proud of you and I know someone "up there" is also!
Be HAPPY!!

We have a new addition to our family. This is Benji, our budgie.

He bite's too!

Stork?? Someone got a new baby??

One weekend recently, we babysat at Meredith and Dave's house, to babysit their cat's and Micky the Super Dog.
It was such a very hard job!
We napped and read and napped some more!

Cloe likes to get right up close and have a starring contest! I lost! What green eyes eh!

Mickey The Super Dog! He just finished eating all that was in his bowl!

Meredith and Dave's beautiful back yard and Tom enjoying sitting outside and his book.

A very cute little church stood here but got uprooted for I suppose, lack of parishioners and is now being prepared for town houses. These where taken from our 7th floor balcony.

All was going well, until this huge part of a mountain of a rock appeared! Then the noise began and I can tell you all the people around here suffered from "over the top" level of noise! For the past two weeks, we have been on edge enduring the noise. It's been extremely hard on the nerves.

I felt so sorry for these fellow's. It's been awfully hard work trying to demolish by drilling piece by piece away. They look so tired here!

It seems to grow overnight!

Finally! We thought it was over! But the next day they began drilling rods all around the property and that noise was comparable to destroying the rock! Ohhhh, nerves are tense around here!

Ahhhh! The monster is conquered and the rest has been buried!

The following picture's where take at Park and Tilford Garden. However, we arrived too late to see the last of the summer flowers. The garden was being prepared for next spring. This is a very pretty place during the summer.

The smaller Tim Horton's I've ever seen!!

Well, that's the finish of my blog for now.
We've been spending our days..at least some of them, watching the Michael Jackson/Dr. Murray trail and although it's very technical at times, it's extremely interesting.

Nothing exciting is on the horizon. We are just rolling along day by day, and I apologize for not answering e-mails and keeping in touch with everyone. Thanks to all of you who wrote with concern and to Lynn who even called Lisa, wondering if I was sick or something.

I'm fine, just a case of blues, that sometimes happens with seasonal change.
See ya!

BUYING A SALMON AND GROUP LUNCH

2011-09-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Walking along my way one day, I came across this guy with a whole load of salmon he had "corralled between the rocks. Only the Native Indians can do this, all others, use fishing rod!

$10.00 bought me a huge salmon, all filleted and ready for the freezer. He handed it to me in a grimy, wet, smelling of fish, plastic bag, and I was still a long way from home. I had to walk through Doggie Park and had a few dogs sniffing at my "catch". Seagull's where eyeing me suspiciously also! But, it's in the freezer for a few delicious fish dinners.

Bloody awful job eh?

These two pictures show how he lead the fish into his trap. Doesn't seem fair does it?

I'm now at that bridge you see in the above picture, toting my fish, and he is right under and to the left of that bridge in the now distance.

Such a beautiful day and I sure am going to miss these warm, sunny day.

Look at all these fishing boats out for those elusive salmon....well....elusive for some people!

Boats and more boats!

Some pretty flowers on their last burst of colour!

Now for our group lunch, this time in Ft. Langley, which reminds me of Niagara on the Lake with little craft shops everywhere and the neatest and interesting places.


Above the Langley River. It's on this river, just a little distance away, we are going to win the 'LOTTO HOUSE" on October 31, when our ticket is drawn. We went for a tour of it, but I forgot my camera! I think we'd take the prize money of two million!

Below: I guess this is the Fort??? I don't know the history of Ft. Langley. Hmmm, something for me to Google!

Some wonderful very old picture's inside the restaurant.

Such a different life today!!

The gang has arrived!! Joining us is Dave and Debbie. Debbie is Dianne's sister! Imagine "TWO" of them!!!


Doug, Bill, Tom and Dave (we give the guys their own table!)

Dianne, Linda and Debbie before dinner and the B52's

After dinner and happy hour!

This morning it was absolutely lovely and warm...in the 70's when I left for my walk at 6am. Still dark!! I caught the cruise ship sailing in, but didn't have my camera set right, so it came out..pretty well, how it looked!

But, as I walked along the sea wall, I turned around and looked back at Vancouver and was a glorious site. The sun was slowly waking up the day, and the sky was beautiful, and very plain in the distance you could see Mount Baker in Washington.

No picture you ask??? Because my darn camera ran out of battery right at that very minute!!!!! SCREAM!!!! What a beauty shot it would have been.

I won't have that luck or even a walk tomorrow as the forecast is for heavy rain and winds 60-90 km's per hour.

Blogger is acting up again.

See you later!!

BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE

2011-09-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

I see many herons along the Sea Wall on my walks and also in the Lagoon. This one below was taken with my camera phone and it doesn't do as good a job as my camera.

These aren't very big waves today, but I do love to turn off my iTunes and listen as the waves come crashing in. Some day's it just nice to sit in the sunshine on a log with the waves rolling in and just contemplate life.

Then, when I stand up, every darn muscle in me hurts!! Aging is not fun!

That's Lighthouse Park off in the distance and a ship moored to the right of it. It's a lovely park but you have to walk down a very steep hill, and the climb back up is a killer!

This very pretty little church is...or was kitty-corner from us. When I first came here many people would be there on Sundays, but attendance has dwindled so much, that they are taking down the church and building 5 or 6 floor condo's.
In the spring time, when the flowers come out around the church, it was such a pretty place. I looked for a picture in my files of it, but it's taking me too long to find it. I will miss this cute place, but I suppose money in condo's is more important that attending church these days! Sad!!

GONE! In just a few hours!

This summer was the year we renovated and updated our kitchen! Below is the old kitchen with the old cupboards.
We had gone through the planning in June, before I went home to Ontario. They were supposed to be coming for the tear-out as soon as I returned on July 17th. Tom had gone
ahead and emptied all the cupboards, and what a job it was for him. The living room, deck, and bedroom, was full of boxes of what was in the cupboards. We threw out so much we never used and made many trips to the Salvation Army.
Then the project got delayed until August, because of it being holiday time, so we just lived in a mess for awhile!

Finally the work began, and EVERYTHING was a horrible mess, with sawdust everywhere!!

Every room was a complete mess!
It was getting to me a bit and I broke out in shingles on my back and stomach. They still aren't all gone yet, and it sure was not a pleasant time.
How, will I ever get all this cleaned up and things put away again?

Things are beginning to take shape! Nice white, new cupboards and a few more of them, and a few little fun features. No countertop yet, and that took another two weeks until that arrived. No sink or water in the kitchen, so we did dishes in the bathroom. We had the dining room set up with a patio table in there and our toaster and kettle and coffee maker in there. We were going to survive this!!!!

Counter top is on,black with white specks in it.Sink installed and mostly the kitchen is finished except for the painting. We can't decide what colour to paint it. Any suggestions???

So summer rolled on and we had a beautiful August, but less to be desired spring. Hopefully autumn will bring much sunshine and some nice picture's to take.
The days turned cooler just this past week, when after much time when by, we finally had some rain, which is unusual not to have rain in West Vancouver!

Below..Tom took me on a mystery trip to a BRAND NEW huge Library in Surrey, that had opened only hours before! I was so excited to see and get all the newest books, but the Library was not fully stocked yet and I discovered I had read all the newest books they had.
I think Tom and I have memberships to every Library in Vancouver area!

A very modern looking place!!

Well, that pretty well brought the past few months up to date. I may have forgotten a few things here and there, like the big coyote I flushed out of the bush while walking the trail. I've met a few of the regulars on the early morning walk and have come on first name terms with a few, and it's nice greeting friendly people along the way. Now and then, I'll stop for a coffee with Karen, another early morning walker.
Another fellow, I meet or pass, we give a high five to each other every morning...why I don't know, we never speak except say "Good Morning" but it's fun and he's my eye candy for the day. (We all need a little thrill now and the eh?) My time may change from 6 am to 7am, as it is getting darker in the mornings and my light clothing changes to warmer jackets and even a hat and gloves, but I'm going to keep it up. Even in the rain, I'll carry an umbrella and hit the trail!!
I can NOT believe, I'm doing this!!! This is NOT me to be so committed for the very first time to stick with something so long...especially when it means climbing out of a warm bed to do EXERCISE!!! YUK!! So, say a little prayer I can keep this up. I need all the help and encouragement I can get!!!

See you again soon!

ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

2011-09-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Back on the Seawall heading to Dundarave again. I'm all over the place, sometimes, changing my route, but always seeing beautiful things.

Some creative person!

Heading the other way on the Seaway and very early in the morning and I'm not sure if these people are finding clams or what. I see them different mornings, when the tide is out.

All this down here on both sides of the river leading from the streams on the mountains to the ocean, belongs to the Native Indian.

They can catch salmon a little different than we can and here they have built a runway for the salmon to travel back to the spawning grounds, through and in between the rocks to trap them in a catch. At the bottom, some people are waiting to catch a few.

I keep walking and eventually end the Seawall, and into the forest. The water you see in the above picture becomes rapids, and it's just so beautiful to sit there and be alone with nature. (At least I hope I'm alone....probably many little creature eye's watching me!)

All along the way are benches to sit and ponder life!

It's really a well traveled stretch of woodland by walkers, bikers, runner's and those who love to escape the skyscrapers!

Different day...and skyscrapers!

Another day again, and VERY early in the A.M. and right after the holiday weekend, by the park where all the picnic's have taken place. The park cleaner's has not arrived yet, but these guys have. I was about 4 feet from them, and quickly backed off. They we're intent on digging in the garbage and didn't notice me.

I think it's the only thing I fear on my walks when I get up early, and as it get's darker in the morning, the wildlife haven't returned to their little hideaways yet. They soon scatter as the joggers and people out for early morning walks arrive.

Sometimes, you can't smell them and there they are!! It sure make's one come to an abrupt halt!!

I turned and took a different route this morning!

Different day again..in fact last weekend when Ambleside put on a Coho Salmon Festival, with a BBQ and fun events, and many tents with information and demonstrations of the salmon and the ever constant problem of the bears...in the Upper Levels..not down here!

Again, I'm up and away early and things are just getting set up for the festival.

The tents are set up near the Lagoon where the swans are, so they were up and about early this morning too, wondering what all the commotion was about.

The Indian natives are smoking fish on the far shore.

That ends today's blog. Next blog, I'll tell you all about our renovation!

I'm off now to get a perm...and boy do I need it.

Walked in the rain this morning, and it's noticeably cooler out, but doesn't take long for me to get heated up and I ended up with my jacket tied to my waist.

Now the sun is shining and I have to run!!!!

Bye.

BITS AND PIECES OF AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

2011-09-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

I am still getting up at 6am every single morning, and going for a 5 mile and a wee bit plus walk. I've been doing it faithfully since March,, and I can't believe, I am sticking to this commitment I made. I never stick to anything! You would think I've lost scads of weight, but I haven't and I get so frustrated when I step on the scales. However, my rear end getting smaller and thats enough of payback for all this pain I go through and sleep lost.

I actually enjoy getting up early and when I start out, I have the world to myself...for about 15 minutes at least Bit by bit and very quickly I'm joined on the seawall, or on my bush path which I don't go on until there are many more people around and about, but I have walked this pathway, feeling very safe. I take everyone at their for word that bears don't come down this far, but I did scare a coyote out of the bush one morning.

But, isn't it a beautiful walk!! Come along with me!

Tom joins me at times.

This woodpecker is one of many that came to take up residence in the tree beside us. The crows come and go, but we've stopped feeding them. They make such a mess and much to clean up and scrub everyday, so they've been banished from our railing deck!

It's Fishing time for Salmon again (we had it for dinner tonight)

The Swans are still healthy and well and don't seem to be looking for their babies anymore, but likely busy making more when we aren't looking!

I love trees, and the bottom of these caught my eye! So much beauty in so many things along my walks!

Interesting eh?

Back to the beach again....this blog is all over the place!!

It's coming to the end of the day and the sun is beginning to go down.

Look at that incredible sky, that just continues to look more magnificent with each passing moment!

One evening the sky too our breath away with it's beauty!!

All eyes on the sky!

WOW!!

This is where I leave you for tonight, but more picture's I hope you will enjoy tomorrow when I try again to do a blog. Sometimes, it works well, and other times, I could scream!!

GUESS WHO HAS RETURNED?

2011-09-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

YUP! IT'S ME!!!

It's been quite awhile since my last posting and other then enjoying the summer and the terrific weather that I brought home with me from my trip from Ontario, we've been busy doing this and that....which I'll tell you about and show you many pictures. This could be a long post, so grab a coffee and something to munch on and let's just enjoy a good old chaw of conversation!

Now...where do I start?? I have to flip back and forth from my photo's to remember it all as well!

The last thing I told you about was the friend I had made on the beach. Well, she got kicked off the beach!! She was on a spiritual pilgrimage and hoped to enjoy nature and the ocean for 60 days, by camping on the beach. She was wonderful to talk to and I enjoyed her company, but she was asked to move on. Ambleside just would not allow their beach to be slept on for that length of time. But, it was for the best, as she ended up with so many friends coming down to chat with her, and one gal, just would not leave her alone, and even stayed the whole night on the beach with Yvonne. Yvonne had asked to please leave, as he had much of her studying she wished to accomplish, and couldn't do it with her there. But, it never sunk in with this gal and when Yvonne asked her to leave, this gal got very hostile toward Yvonne. This continued on, with her continuing to always show up and staying all day, and again Yvonne asked her to leave, and go somewhere else on the beach, but the hostility became so much, that this gal went to the police and put in a complaint that Yvonne was homeless and living on the beach. There is so much more to this story that is too long to tell you about, but the long and the short of it is, that Yvonne had to pack up her ton on books, and leave. I gave her my suitcase on wheels to help her out so she didn't break her back carrying all this stuff.

The bothersome gal, I found out later, isn't the person she said she was and apparently the police had been looking for her since last April as a missing person and she suffers from early senility. She's one wacko job as well!!

So Yvonne moved on to parts unknown, but said she'd keep in touch, but so far, I have no idea where she has gone and I keep checking for that promised email.

They say, people come into your life for a reason. I wonder what this reason was, but I do hope it was for me to show her kindness and help her out and that it did do just that.

I remember hearing this little saying when I was a very young girl, that has stuck with me all these years, and has become a sort of motto for me. (Don't laugh!!)

"If I can help just one little bird back into it's nest, then my life has not been in vain!"

Tom said, I sure take on BIG birds!!!

This was her home on the beach, tucked into an out of the way place, bothering no one.

So, that was fun and interesting this summer!

I spent the most time on the beach this summer, than I have the whole time I lived here! I very much enjoyed it!!

The beach was crowded ALL summer long and the nicest thing is, it's just a block away! All those logs are part of the beach...living on the ocean, they roll in all the time!

Ambleside seemed to be hopping with events all summer long. The Summer Harmony Arts Festival was on, music was playing everywhere and it was great fun.

We joined some good friends for a picnic in the park one afternoon and had a great pot luck dinner.

These names may seem foreign to you, but some of these friends are from Budapest and just gems!!

That's Lubo with is back to the picture, and Dianne talking to Blajka.

Meanwhile the cruise ships sail past on their way to Alaska! Bon Voyage!!!

Left to Right: Dianne, Blajka, Lubo, Bill, Tom

Blajka, Dianne, and Lubo

L-R Lubo, Bill, Tom, ? Debbie, Dave, and giving them a talk is Dianne!

Beautiful and a wonderful person, Blajka

Myself and Lubo

Another ship leaving and Ycela, Blajka and Ycela's mother

Chow Time!!! What great eats!

What a contented bunch with all this food!!

Lovely Dianne!

Of all the entertainment they had for two two weeks, and different groups, many times in a day, we ended up with a no name group that couldn't play SWAT!!! What a horrible group! But, we had a fantastic, fun time anyway!

Well, this brings us up to some of the summer. This is very time consuming, and Tom is wondering where supper is, so I'll leave off now, and later show you some of the picture's I've taken on my walks. I'm walking 5 miles a day, every single day, getting up at 6am and out the door by 6:30. Lot's of pretty pictures to come.

Stay tuned!!

HERE FINALLY

2011-08-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Amazing how fast it takes to forget how to do this little project! I have to think about every move I make. I think my brain is working in a slower mode! I also hope this little image I included works, because they disappear whenever I post these sometimes.

Beautiful summer weather followed me home from Ontario when home in June and it's still hanging in there with lovely temperature's and no rain...until tomorrow, when we are supposed to have showers and then right back to the heat and sunshine again for what the weather man says another week!

I've been hanging out on the beach more this year than ever before and it's just like our Sandbanks beach (in Prince Edward County, near Belleville),minus the big logs that roll in, and the huge ships that roll out!

The beach is crowded every day and people swimming and kayaking, sailing and getting lots of vitamin D stored up for our long wet winter season.

I met this lady on the beach and we've become friends and sit and enjoy chats and laughs. Yvonne has a wonderful sense of humour.

Yesterday, I suggested we go to the movies, and took her to see "The Help". Yvonne is a black lady and sitting in the sun, has even darkened her skin even more. She has beautiful white teeth and a huge smile.

Yvonne wasn't sure what to think of seeing a moving like "The Help", which is about the black maids they once had in the South and the horrible way they treated them.

We sat in the back row, and when the lights where out, Yvonne disappeared!(Did I mention, she has a great sense of humour?)

We were into the show a good 10 minutes before two older ladies came in late and stubbled around for a seat, and decidedly took the back row, but they could only see me!! The one lady, was about to lower herself right on top of Yvonne, before stepping on her foot, while have her rear end stuck in Yvonne's face.

The lady, jumped, turned around and Yvonne smiled at her with these huge white teeth, which was all that could be seen. The lady nearly jumped out of her skin right there!!

Of course we had a good laugh over it all.

I'm still walking every morning, my longest stretch at one time was 5 miles, but I usually only have the energy for 3-4 miles. The scales will NOT move!!!

However, still taking picture's and here's a few.

My walks usually begin about 6:30, and just in time to see the cruise ships returning to Vancouver from Alaska.

I never get tired of seeing them, they look so pretty and how I often wish, I was heading out on one for a holiday!

These guys I see every morning and sometimes I can walk by without taking a pictures...sometimes I can't!

All the people on this ship are up having their last breakfast and feeling sad at how fast their cruise went and it's all over!!

All the ducks are in a row....good sign!

Love the old log and so does the seagull.

These crows visit us in the mornings, and somedays will sit in this trance state, without moving , with their mouths open like above. I wonder why they do that? Anyone know?

Some ambition person did some rock art along the seawall.

That's it for today, but, I have much to tell you and show you with pictures. Ambleside has been a busy place this summer with many fun events going on!

More later.

Hope everyone is well!!!

Continued from last post

2011-08-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

My pictures wouldn't load anymore, maybe I had too many on one post, but here are just a few more.

Happy times with my daughter, Lisa

One of those shots where Matt's eyes are at half mask....He was ready for bed after a hard day at work!

Fun group!! Great drinks! Thansks gals!

Puff Balls! (My brother loves them and would have loved to have one of these, but didn't know they were here!)

TJ! The little dog we gave to Roxanne!

These lilies where all over Eastern Ontario!

Cow's trying to keep cool! Again...don't see these in the city, so fun to see again! SO MANY things I miss!

Huge tree at Roxanne and Kass's.

Lovely place you have in Amherst Island!

I LOVE trees!

Linda on the Ferry back to Kingston, Ontario

My VERY favourite sister!!!!! Love her!! Only have one!

It's 6 A.M and Lisa is up and trying on her own to put up this canopy over the deck! I got up to help! What big mosquitoes out there too!!

We women can do anything!!

Bridge Street bridge in Belleville

That fun gang again, "The Legends".

Picture from the bridge near Lisa and Mike's house.

The Woodlawn Inn in Cobourg, where Lisa and I went for lunch in this very historical home built in 1835.
Great buffet!

Sassy, still looking at the baby birds in the next just under the boards. He'd sit for hours watching them!

Erin, Erica and Sarah, in Napanee, near Belleville (home of Avril Levigne), and we noticed this sign that McRibs are back, and sadly placed right where the cows can read the sign! Could make them a little nervous!!

Grandma having fun with her Granddaughters!

Mother and daughters.....great looking bunch!!

Gizmo and the bird he's terrified of.

Sarah high in the clouds, while jumping on the trampoline.

Erica doing a flip! She has her Grandmother's red hair!

The Rogues of Northumberland Pipe Band. (Erin on the right)

Peter and Erin

Barney

Roxanne and Kass

Matthew's Girlfriend Erica, and I love her! Such a sweet girl!

Toronto Union Station. A grand old place at one time, and it's been years since I've been here, so was very disappointed in the way it now looks. However, they are building a new train station next door, but I hope they don't tear down this historical place.
I took the train from Toronto to Belleville and that was another HUGE highlight of my trip. Loved it!!

Statue near Union Station. I took a picture of the front of this guy, but won't show you that!!

Beautiful Views up here.
Made me think many thoughts of a friend of mine who passed away, the same day, I had planned on calling him!
I'll miss you Grant!

Showing my plane almost home in Vancouver

That's it for now.

Back home and lot's more to tell you about later.

Hope everyone is or has or will be enjoying their holiday too!

Linda

SOME FAVOURITE MOMENTS IN ONTARIO

2011-08-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

A BIG THANK YOU TO MY FABULOUS HOSTS!! LISA AND MIKE, ROXANNE AND KASS...THANK YOU SO MUCH!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MIKE FOR THE LOAN OF YOUR CAR THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN BELLEVILLE.

MIKE, MY TRIP HOME WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN NEARLY AS ENJOYABLE! WITH THE FREEDOM TO BE INDEPENDENT AND FREE TO MOVE AROUND AND BE WHERE I WANTED TO BE AND JUST ENJOY MYSELF MADE THIS TRIP EXTREMELY ENJOYABLE.

A HAPPY MOMENT!

A WONDERFUL DAY SPENT WITH BRAD. IT WAS A BLAST!

MIKE AND HIS VERY PRETTY AND YOUNG LOOKING MOM, JANETTE! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR JANETTE!

WHO IS THIS HOT MAMA, I BUMPED INTO WHILE IN THE HALLS OF LEARNING? ANYONE KNOW?
GREAT FUN WE HAD AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A LAUGH EH JEN?

THIS WAS MY OFFICE! IT'S BEEN RENOVATED SINCE I LEFT!

ON THE SHEEP FARM.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!

REMEMBER THIS PICTURE WHEN YOU EAT YOUR NEXT RACK OF LAMB! EWWWWW!!

FREE RANGE CHICKEN

THE LAMA, KEEPS AWAY THE COYOTE'S FROM GOING AFTER THE SHEEP.

THE FRONT OF LISA AND MIKE'S HOME

WHICH IS THE ADVERTISING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE WHO BUILT HER HOME. THE PICTURE IS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK.

THE PARK ON THE BAY OF QUINTE WHERE MY FRIENDS AND I SAT AND SPENT THE AFTERNOON CHATTING.

MY GRANDDAUGHTER ERICA WITH HER ARTWORK. I THINK SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!

LOOKING TOWARDS DOWNTOWN BELLEVILLE

MYER'S PEIR THROUGH THE TREE'S.

LOVE BEING HERE!

ONE OF OUR PROJECTS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE.....PERSPECTIVE!
NORRIS WHITNEY BRIDGE

FROM ZWICK'S PARK TO THE NORRIS WHITNEY BRIDGE AND IT WAS A HOT DAY!

TO THE RIGHT OF THOSE HOUSE'S WAS MY HOME IN BELLEVILLE....ANOTHER LIFETIME AGO!

LISA WILL KILL ME IF I DON'T EXPLAIN THIS WAS A SPUR OF THE MOMENT DECISION TO TAKE THE DOGS TO THE PARK FOR A WALK OR SHE WOULD HAVE DRESSED BETTER.

HOME SWEET HOME! OR....MY OTHER HOME!

JUST A GRAND DAY!

"TASTE OF COUNTRY" PARK.

MMMMM, NICE APPLES GROWING ON THE TREE.

DON'T SEE THESE IN THE CITY!

I COULD JUST SQUEEZE HER TIGHT! MY DAUGHTER ERIN.

DO I KNOW THESE FELLOWS?

ERICA GETTING DRESSED FOR THE PIPE BAND PARADE.

THIS WAS AN OOP'S! SAT ONT HE EDGE AND FELL RIGHT BACK!

MY SISTER ROXANNE AND I LAUGHING AND GIGGLING....AS ALWAYS!

GRANDSON BRAD, ME AND DAUGHTER LISA AND THE BIG FELLOW IS BARNEY!

CN TOWER IN TORONTO

CAN YOU BELIEVE WE'VE BEEN BEST FRIENDS SINCE WE WE'RE KIDS!

LOOKING FANTASTIC JAN!

I HAD SOME MORE PICTURES TO ADD, BUT IT WON'T ACCEPT ANYMORE RIGHT NOW. SO, I GUESS, A SHORT BLOG LATER ON.

Amherst Island, Day 4

2011-08-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

It's time to say goodbye to Mike, Wanda and Mike Jr. as they head home to St. Catharines. It was a fantastic visit and we are all looking forward to next year, when we meet again. There is talk of a reunion of the whole family and turning Roxanne and Kass's yard into a "tent city!" Wouldn't that be fun!

Nice picture of Roxanne!

So, off we go again for another day of exploring.

Roxanne and Kass had an invite over to a friends home for a visit, so I got to go also. I'm terribly sorry, but I have forgotten this nice ladies name! I was introduced to so many people over a short time, that now, my memory fails me!

This is their beautiful log home that they built. Lovely place!

Caught this little hummingbird having a drink!

A lovely little meditation clearing down by the water! Very peaceful with many bird sounds.

The end of another day!

We all go for a after dinner walk before bed. It's been a wonderful and fun visit and so great to visit this new couple and their new home! A busy couple too!! Very involved with the going's on with Amherst Island, especially with the issue of the dreaded Wind Turbines!! They seem to have made a good fit with their new surroundings and enjoying life to the fullest.

Tomorrow, I head back to Belleville to spend very valuable time with my family and friends, before heading home, so more blog to come and if interested...stick around!!

More to follow!