Halfway through the month

We are now halfway through the month of October.  The time has gone by faster than I want it to but then time has a way of doing that.  I was thinking of everyone back home this morning - especially the two women who are in charge of the hall cleaning while Bernie is away.  Well, I do help him but he is the caretaker.  What a job that is, especially after a wedding since there is always a lot to clean!  I told him he should apply for a work visa and he could clean something while we are down here.  Anyway, thank you ladies, you know who you are!

We had the condo owner come by a week ago today to check out the microwave situation.  He concluded that he needed to get a new one.  Well, I concluded that as well!  He spent a couple hours back and forth and finally got it installed.  Bernie gave him a hand and he really liked that.  The dogs barked at him and then they were friendly, thank goodness.  He informed us that they have a little dog as well.  It was nice meeting him, very friendly guy, he wanted to bring his wife over as well.........oooookaaaay.  I guess we must be fun people that everyone wants to know.  Really, what do you say to that?  He didn't solve their electrical problems but we just plug that grill in where it works; I didn't say much since it is not my problem and I already paid the rent.  I didn't get into the plumbing situation under the bathroom sink since we can live with that and as I said previously......not my monkey, not my circus. 

One more thing on the owner:  he thought the dogs were cute and he took their pictures.  Bernie was holding Duke and he put his hand right around his snout.  Of course Duke snapped at him; I was in shock I couldn't believe anybody would do that!  He didn't bite him, thank god.

Of course the weather here has been fantastic each and every day.  I do not complain about the heat because that is why I am here.  I get up early and enjoy the morning and by nine at night I am heavy lidded!  I force myself to stay up until at least ten thirty because otherwise I would be up at four in the morning. 

Nicholas and Pam arrived here on Saturday the 11th.  The three of us toured around, found a Target which made Pam happy!  It made me happy as well since I needed groceries and I could get most of what I needed there.  We were looking for liquor and tobacco as well but it was not to be found anywhere in that shopping complex.  Why you ask?  We were told that it is on an Indian Reservation and there is no alcohol or tobacco allowed for sale.  OK. 

We went to a Fry's (home of the Wednesday Senior discount).  Too bad it was a Saturday!  The selection of wine, beer and alcohol in a grocery store is out of this world.  We got what we went for and came home. 

I cooked supper for everyone and we had a feast.  It is nice to have this place instead of going out for meals since that would have broken our bank account a long time ago! 

We have a pull out couch so Bernie and I slept in the living room and gave them our bed.  It was comfy and the dogs really liked it!  ha ha  No dogs are allowed on the furniture.......that's a joke.  We do our best since I cover everything. 

Sunday rolled around and we lazed by the pool in the morning and had a good visit.  Honestly we don't see enough of one another and they just live in Edmonton.  We have to go on a holiday to visit, or so it would seem. 

I woke up with a headache that just wouldn't go away but wasn't bad enough to put me down.  We tried to tire the dogs out since we were getting ready to go to our niece's wedding later on in the day.  We left the condo about 3:30 p.m. and headed to the wedding venue.  It was about 15 minutes away so not much of a drive.  Everything is "not that far" but it usually requires some freeway driving and fancy maneuvering. 

We found the place without too much difficulty.  Pam drove their rental car and did a fine job.  We wandered around and found the venue, outside.  We just walked around and looked at things, took a few pictures and then went to the venue and sat down. 

The ceremony started at 4:30 and it was lovely.  The bride and groom are very happy! 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Dao

 

 



We had cocktails outside for an hour, moved inside for the reception and dance and had a great time.  We got back to the condo about 11 p.m. 

The dogs were sure happy to see us.  We have this app that records and we set it up to "spy" on them to see if they were behaving.  Well, Bernie checked it a little while we were gone but there was no WiFi so it was just once.  Besides, what are you going to do if they didn't behave?  Phone them?  We checked the video when we got back and Sarge did his share of barking - not steady, but enough.

The next day we lounged by the pool again in the morning and then after lunch Nicholas and Pam toured around a bit.  We just stayed put.  In the early afternoon the upstairs neighbor marches up to the front door because he could see if was ajar and he saw me inside.  Of course the dogs run there and start barking.  Anyway, Mr. Minnesota from upstairs proceeds to say, "We live upstairs.  I don't know where you were yesterday but the dogs barked for five hours.  I don't want to tell J and K (the owners) about this so I am telling you."  and he leaves.  Jerk.  He turns his back and walks away, I said "sorry", and he keeps walking.  Oh brother.

Well, dogs do bark and I doubt it was for five hours straight since we have the videos.  I felt like telling him that he wakes me up at six every morning with his banging and thumping upstairs and they have squeaky floorboards.  I can hear him taking a pee in the bathroom and flushing.  I can also hear their stupid phone ringing early in the morning and I can hear his wife telling him to answer it.  I have listened, without any effort at all, to all his conversations with whoever is helping him with his computer and to all the conversations he has had with another fellow Minnesotan while he was sitting on his deck which is directly above our patio.  But, I said nothing because we are only here for another two weeks and he can kiss my.......(well you know what).  When he threatened to call the owners I smiled - maybe that pissed him off, I don't care.

I am on holidays here so I don't really give a rat's ass what he thinks or what bothers him.  I am not especially fond of barking dogs either but it is not like it is every day all day long.  I also know that I would not complain if I was in that situation.  Life is life, suck it up and live a little.

However, we found a dog boarding place in Gilbert yesterday and took the dogs there for a trial to see how they would make out.  We have tickets to the Oilers vs Coyotes game this evening so Duke and Sarge will go to the doggie day care.  The person working there, Candice, is a Canadian from Ontario who lives here now.  Ironic how things work out.  We had their vet records with us and everything checked out so that is a relief.  The place is also open 24/7 so you can go at any time day and night to pick them up and drop them off.

We left the dogs for about three hours for a trial run.  While they were there we asked Betty, our GPS, to find a Wal Mart.  Well, Betty directed us to some godforsaken area of Mesa and concluded that a Wal Mart Supercentre existed........not.  I guess we should have done some updates before we left!  We found - you guessed it Pam - a TARGET store instead after a bit of driving around.  There sure isn't much there and I am kind of glad that we are staying in Scottsdale.  We had lunch, shopped a bit at Target and then found another little shopping centre with a sporting goods store.  Bernie was looking for shoes, but no luck there.  We stopped for a Frozen Yogurt and then headed back to the Target Store because they had free Wifi there and we could check our maps on our iPhones.  We did find a place that sells running gear, etc. but by then it was time to get the dogs and see how they made out in day care.

They did awesome and we told her we would bring them back the next day..  We purchased a package deal so we are good to go for two more days for both of them after today.

It was kind of a relief to find a place since they really don't do that well on their own for any length of time.  We aren't going to sit in this place for the remainder of our holiday just because they might be a bother to someone, so doggie day care it is.  When it comes time to settle up here I have a good mind to tell the owner that instead of refunding our $300.00 deposit we paid for the dogs she can just give it to the a......e upstairs for all his trouble.

Okay, I'm good now.  I just had to move my laptop inside because they are cleaning the rooftops and sweeping all the dead leaves and dirt to the ground.  It was landing on me so I thought it would be best to move inside.  There is sure a lot of activity going on outside right now - crews cleaning and grooming the grounds I guess. 

And so the good life rolls on.  We are halfway through our holiday and I will make the most of the time we have left here!

Like a cactus

Looking at our front entrance






We have been here for a week now and have settled in nicely.  I had to call the owner the second day we were here because we blew a breaker and couldn't find the breaker box.  Well....we found it after I called and left a message!  We got things going again and I called again and left another message.  Things are not where they are normally for us since everything is just put together differently. 

Anyway, there was a brand new George Foreman Grill on the patio so I plugged it in thinking that it would cook up our supper quite nicely.  It was on for about five minutes and the lights went out.  Bernie jumped up immediately because the t.v. went out as well and it was interrupting his NFL game.  We searched everywhere....almost everywhere.....made a phone call.....opened one last door......threw the breaker......made another phone call......didn't use the grill since I was scared it would happen again. 

Okay, so here's the deal.  In our climate we have outdoor plugs that we use for outdoor things like plugging in vehicles during the winter, or plugging in our holiday trailers or using compressors or power tools - well you know.  Here it is a different story.  The outdoor plug appears to be on the same circuit as half the lights in the condo.  That isn't much believe me - dark in here most of the time.  I have my lap top plugged in to this plug in since I sit outside most of the time when I do this stuff.  I hope I don't blow the breaker!

Well the poor lady called me back the next day since she was out of town and I explained the situation.  Meanwhile, what she doesn't know is that we found another plug in situated in the same closet that the breaker box is housed and it looks like a water softener plugged into that one.  So I used the grill on two occasions plugged into that one and it seems to work fine.  Well, at least it hasn't blown anything up yet.

Speaking of blowing up.  Yesterday I was sitting outside enjoying my morning coffee when I heard a strange noise inside.  So I go to investigate since the air conditioners in this place cut in and out all the time and there is always some kind of noise.  I head to the kitchen and here the fan over the stove is going full tilt.  It is part of the overhead microwave set up so I try to turn it off - pressed all kinds of buttons.  It did not respond and I was just about to drag a chair over and get to the plug when it died.  It got really hot on top so I ended up unplugging it anyway.  What the hell.  Poltergeist!
Now I will have to call again.  They are going to start thinking we are bad news!  It's bad enough that the dogs lay around all day long on the furniture........we have it covered just like at home........now the microwave.  Oh well.  I don't think we will get evicted or anything like that.  We are just ordinary folks from Alberta, Canada - we talk funny, we say "holiday" instead of "vacation" and down here they should be used to such things, especially during the winter months.

There are people from Minnesota directly above us.  They talk louder than I do - that's loud!  I am sure they are very nice folks.  They get up early and are on the road looking for clients for a fledgling Home Care business.  Sounds interesting.  Well, I was eavesdropping like Mrs. Gladys Kravitz the nosy neighbor!  I was trying to mind my own business last evening as I grilled our steaks.  They were on their deck above me and someone they knew walked by and they had a nice loud conversation.  What can I say?  I listened. 

Of course it is very hot here every day, sometimes reaching the low nineties.  We walked to a Circle K a few blocks away on Saturday or Sunday, I can't remember which, Sunday I think.  Of course Bernie needed tobacco and I told him I was not driving around amongst crazy people looking for a smoke shop.  I was pretty sure a gas station/convenience store would have what he needed.  Sure enough they did.  His legs and back bother him so it is hard to walk some days but he did all right.  The gates are locked so you have to have a code to get back in.  I looked it up but wouldn't you know it?........it wouldn't open.  I made sure to wave like crazy at the Security Guard when we left so he would remember us.  I mean....who wouldn't remember two people WALKING.  He ambles over and punches in the code and we're in.  The code was different than what we had thought.  I never said anything, we'll just use the "new" code next time. 

There are a couple of bikes in the storage shed here so we got them out on Sunday and had a look.  The tires all needed air - a lot of air - so we pumped them up and took them both for a spin.  The gear shifter on the bike with the basket did not work at all and if we had put the tool box in the car (I took it out because there was no room!) then it would have been fixed.  Oh well. 

On Monday we thought we would take a spin to the same area as the Circle K and find a place called AJ's Purveyor of Fine Foods.  It came highly recommended.  There are some marked bike routes on the street leading out of this place.  Bernie hopped on the bike with the basket but I declined because I wasn't comfortable without a helmet.  Chicken you might say.  however, one could ride on the sidewalk because no one walks anywhere here anyway.  We got to the gate and both tires were flat.  So he took the bike back and we ended up walking anyway! 

We got to our destination and looked at every store and couldn't find AJ's.  We ended up going to Walgreen's and bought coffee, etc.  On the way out I asked the clerk if there was an AJ's and he said that yes there was but it closed on August 16th.  Bummer. 

Yesterday Bernie says we'll go for groceries at Sprout's Farmer's Market.  he wanted to drive so I was good to go.  It wasn't far but we ended up turning in too soon.  We could see Sprout's but it was on the other side of a wall and there was no way to get over there.  So back out onto the main road (Shea Boulevard).  We had to make a left turn to get back into the steady stream of traffic so that was a long wait.  We get to the middle in the boulevard and then have to wait again to get into the traffic stream.  Of course some jackass has to honk his horn and fly right by - missed hitting us by a very narrow margin.  I mean really, why not just let us into the lane?  Why come barreling down the road at full speed and then honk your horn to tell us you might hit us??  Makes me furious.  They love to honk their horns here.  They even honk at you in the parking lot when you are patiently waiting for someone to back up and you don't want to get in their way. 

We had a shop at Sprout's and got home all in one piece.  They sell mostly natural and organic food there so I am not going back since it is nice but expensive.  I like Fry's.  Oh wait, today is Wednesday - Senior's discount day.  Oh well, I don't need anything now.

We left the dogs alone while we went on our little excursions and they seemed to be all right.  I put Rescue Remedy in their water in order to keep them as stress free as possible.  I bought another bottle yesterday.  It seems to help.  Maybe some of the drivers around here could take a few drops now and then!

Meanwhile, I will try not to be like a cactus, all prickly and dangerous looking! 

Well, as usual this was fun. 

Rest In Peace

Here I sit having my morning coffee remembering a day I would just like to forget.  October 4th.....Oh boy here we go.  These past fourteen years have been an experience that's for sure.  There is no word in the English language to describe a parent who has lost a child.  You lose your husband or your wife and you are a widow or a widower; you lose your parents you become an orphan.  Your child dies and you are .......?  Crazy? Grief stricken? Lost? Angry? None of these even comes close and I haven't heard yet if a word has been invented.

I read all the books that were given to me by very kind and well-meaning people about grief and the process one goes through.  I think some of those days, in the early years, I was stuck on the first step.  I honestly can't remember all the steps because I didn't think it was necessary to commit them to memory since I was living it each and every minute of every day.  I found some of the topics helpful since I could relate so well; but on the main they were just nice books to keep me occupied.

As I moved on through the "process" I really didn't feel anything one way or the other.  One day I was good the next day not so good.  I suppose if I learned anything it was to be gentle with myself since I could hardly expect anyone else to deal with me!  I have a quick temper and I normally have to sit on it so being a crazy, grief stricken, lost and angry ex-mother to a son who no longer lived ........ well let's just say it was a challenge to be gentle.

I know there are lots of people in this world who have their share of troubles and who have had heavy burdens to bear their entire lives.  That doesn't take anything away from me and I totally empathize with those who have struggled - especially the parents out there whose children died.

It is not normal for a child to die before the parent and it is certainly not something you plan for.  It is such a total shock to the system that when I look back on it now I understand how adrenaline can take over because without it I would have curled up into a ball and gone into hibernation.  There is so much to do and it all falls on the parents to do it.  Family and friends are great and they can be helpful but in the end it falls on the parents to do right by their child.

What I am talking about is the funeral/memorial service that must take place.  There are so many decisions and we certainly didn't have much experience in this area.  I think we did okay and I really believe that Brett would have loved his own funeral.  We chose the songs very carefully with some help from his friends.  I wrote the eulogy and I recorded it as well since I didn't trust anyone else to do it.  The day of the funeral was a tough, tough day and I was relieved when it was all over and done with.

I invited more chaos into our world when I included the media since I felt that we should.  The fact that Brett was the third young person to die of meningitis in the Capital Health Region was news.  I was also convinced that he would have had a better outcome if he had been attended to in the hospital.  So I put it out there.  To this day Bernie and I haven't really talked about this part of the whole thing.  He willingly talked to the news reporters and I know it was very hard on him.  His message was to immunize against potentially fatal diseases.  We did our best with our children and it still wasn't good enough since that was the one "shot" Brett did not have and it could have saved his life. 

As time went on I kept it up and Bernie did not participate in any of it ever again.  I wrote letters and ranted and raved as best I could and then I stopped too!  Once in a while I have something to say about people who do not immunize their children.  I honestly don't care if I step on anyone's toes.  I mean, seriously, why would you think that the government was conspiring to kill you off with vaccines??  Oh, and why would you spend money on "natural" cures and line some quack's pocket when vaccines do not cost you a nickel?? 

And so it goes.  I'm good.  We have moved on with our lives and tenderly step around that empty place in our hearts that represents all the grief and sorrow a parent feels when their child dies and is gone forever.  We move forward because that is the only place to go.  Some days are still really good and some days I would rather forget.  That's life.

Every year up until this year I put a memorial tribute to Brett in three local papers.  This year I stopped and I don't think I will do it again.  We remember, we will never forget and that is all that counts.

Rest in peace Brett.

AAAHHHH vacation time at last

It seems I only write on this thing when we are on vacation.  I posted in the summer but I didn't have anything even remotely funny to say since it was an uneventful time!  It is more interesting if there is a story to tell.  That's why I am not going to the Okanagan again because nothing interesting happened the last trip so we need to change it up!

It took three days of serious driving to get down here and I am sitting in my "new office" in Scottsdale, Arizona where we will be until the end of the month. 

We set out about nine in the morning (VERY GOOD FOR US), on Sept. 29th.  I do believe that was a Monday since I have lost track of time and dates.  We drove and drove and drove and got to Helena, Montana and the Super 8 Motel around 5 p.m.  It was okay if you like dumpy motels.  However, it was cheap and that is the operative word when staying in motels whilst travelling to a more posh location.  No pictures of the motel, it was not worth the effort!  It was clean but of course they put us in the section where I am sure it used to be smoking - now it is for pets.  Go figure.  Our dogs do not smell like ashtrays......well, they did for a while after we got the heck out of that room! 

We set out in search of food and found a Wal Mart, got some beer instead.  No, just kidding.  Well, we did get beer but we also found a Burger King and I ran in and got some take out.  My chicken tender grill thing was all right, but there was so much mayo and other stuff on it that the meat wouldn't stay put - rather juicy and messy and all in all tasteless, but it satisfied my hunger pangs.  We had stopped for gas in Great Falls prior to this and I tried to get money from an ATM at the gas station/casino.  Get this....the ATM was out of order.  I mean, really, how does that happen in a Casino??  We managed to find a bank/ATM in Helena without too much trouble.  Well, it is always trouble when Betty our GPS tells us how to get somewhere.

New paragraph.....but about Betty.  It is not really Betty's fault since we need to do important stuff like find hotels, restaurants, Wal Marts and ATMs in the dark.  That is the bad part about travelling in October, the sun goes down before we are prepared.  We drove around and around the motel before it got dark and as twilight was approaching we finally maneuvered into position.  Of course it gets tense, the dogs perk up their ears, the air gets blue, blame is solidly put on one another at various times and then we arrive. 
So much for Helena and the cheap Super 8.  They had "free" WiFi that didn't work worth a damn and that frustrated me.  In the morning I went down for Continental breakfast - I had coffee and grabbed some yogurt.  I also took my phone and got hooked up to the WiFi and used my Expedia App to book a room at America's Best Value Inn in Cedar City, Utah.  Cheap - only 43 bucks.  I wasn't expecting much but nothing could be worse than the one we were leaving behind for good.

We were on the road by a quarter after nine and it was a looooooong day.  We stopped at Dell, Montana - population 35, home of the Calf-A restaurant where I am sure they served very good food.  We didn't stop there, just for gas at the Dell Mercantile Grocery.....or something like that.  It was raining so I didn't take any pictures.  I took over driving at Dell. 

You can just zip along on the I-15, 80 miles an hour, 70 for trucks - at least for the most part.  It varies, but never lower than 65 unless there is construction or populated areas.  We changed Betty's settings to MPH so as not to make any blatant errors with our speed - who needs a speeding ticket. 

So I drove and drove and drove.  Out of Montana, through Idaho and into Utah.  I stopped in Ogden, Utah before we got to Salt Lake.  I was worn right out.  We got gas, slipped into the store again for  Subway sandwiches and let the dogs out for a while.  Prior to this it rained, and rained and rained - hard.  I was a little cheesed off because I couldn't go 80; too much hydroplaning going on to suit me.  Of course there is lots of traffic and a real challenge to stay alert. 

Bernie took over driving and away we went again.  We got hung up on the interstate going by Salt Lake.  I am sure we were there for more than half an hour just crawling along.  At least it stopped raining.  We drove and drove and drove some more, stopping at a truck stop so the dogs could get out for a while - Sarge was really whining.  Then we drove and drove some more in the dark which was a lot of fun, glad Bernie was at the wheel.  Finally, we got to Cedar City and let Betty show us the way to the Inn!  We missed the first turn, pulled a U-turn and got there all in one piece.  It was about 8 o'clock or something like that.  (Like I said I lose track of time.) 

I went in to the hotel to check in and the desk clerk tells me that he does not have a reservation.......So.......I went out to the car, grabbed my phone, got connected to their WiFi and checked my e-mails for a confirmation.  I couldn't find it, but I did have the confirmation on my Expedia App.  That was not good enough because the hotel did not have a Fax or anything from Expedia.  So I had to call Expedia, and I talked to Mamood who probably lives in Egypt, or India or somewhere not Canada or North America.  In the end he had to call the hotel.....I mean I was standing right there......then he sends an e-mail to the hotel.......then when I tell him that I am not happy with Expedia he blamed the hotel.  I hung up on him. 

We got checked in and the desk clerk waived the fee for the dogs, nice of him.  We were on the ground floor, easy to get in and out.  We hauled all the stuff in the room - WOW!, it was an awesome room with a gigantic bathroom, king size bed, very clean, didn't smell like old smoke.  A very nice place and I would recommend America's Best Value Inns to anyone.  43 bucks.......that is a steal of a deal.  Denny's was right in the area and they give 20% off if you are staying in the hotel.  We didn't go there since we just left the dogs in the car and walked to Dairy Queen.  Easier.  I put in our Dairy Queen order and the girl working the counter asks if we are from Utah.  I said, "No, we are Canadians, can't you tell?"  She said she thought we were something, not from Utah!  ha ha  So then she starts asking about Canadian stuff and I had some twenties and a ten in my wallet so I show them to her.  She is so impressed with the money so I told her to hold it for a while just to get the feel of it........plastic money since they were brand new bills.  She asks what the picture is and we tell her it is the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, which is the capital of Canada.  She wondered if we could use American money in Canada - I told her that we don't.  I also dug out a loonie and a toonie and she was really impressed!  She called us Snowbirds and said she has an Aunt in Canada but she doesn't know where - somewhere over the border.  There was a guy standing at the end of the counter and he was very amused by the whole conversation!  Honestly, we know so much about the States but most ordinary Americans that we encounter in our journeys know very little.  I am proud, that's all. I learned one new thing - and I tried Fry Sauce (a mixture of ketchup and mayo). 

So we got our Dairy Queen and headed back to the hotel.  Once we ate, got the dogs fed and watered and settled in for the night I think I was asleep by ten - just played right out and knowing we had to get up in the morning and do it all over again. 

On the road again October 1st, last day of driving for a while, and we were up and driving by 9 a.m.  Betty tried to lead us out of town the wrong way.  Well, it was the right way according to her, but we didn't want to go that way.  We just found I-15 south and continued on.  She finally got a clue about an hour or so into our journey and quite "recalculating".  I muted her. 

The temperature just soared today and we got a kick out of watching it go from 7 degrees to 20 in no time flat.  We drove out of Utah, into Arizona, out of Arizona, into Nevada and then back into Arizona.  I bought a map in Cedar City and we got a better one later on just so we could challenge Betty with some authority.  Bernie drove until we got out of the Las Vegas area.  That was interesting.....there was a huge delay on the freeway and we just sat in traffic.  I took over the driving somewhere along the line, can't remember exactly where but it was after we got out of that traffic jam.  Then I got into one of my own.  I can't believe that people lean on their horns in a traffic jam.  I mean, where the hell do they think anyone can go except forward a few inches at a time.  It was interesting with a stick shift since some of it was on an incline.  I wish I had let the car roll a little further back and given that stupid ass something to honk about. 

I finally pulled off since I had enough driving for the day.  It was now 30 degrees and the dogs were shocked when we let them out for a little walk and pee break.  The place we stopped at was a visitor centre for the Grand Canyon and a gas station. 

Finally we got closer to Phoenix and Betty lead us in quite smartly.  The traffic was crazy and stupid and somewhat civilized.  She lead us right to where we needed to go and we stopped at the gate since we had to check in and get our parking pass.  The Security Guard on duty was a little slow on the uptake but we finally got him to check for a parking pass, and confirmed who we were.  After a little hiccup we found our condo, unlocked the door and we ARRIVED!  I opened the door and hollered, "Honey I'm home!"  just in case the last tenant forgot to leave.

Well, then we needed some groceries since we hadn't eaten since the visitor centre where I bought a sandwich which we shared.  So......we set out to find a grocery store, in the dark again.  I wanted to go to Fry's Marketplace but for some reason we hit the wrong store......not that it mattered because we missed the turn anyway and ended up on the freeway.  After some maneuvering, slamming on of brakes, close calls with curbs and just overall frustration we arrived at Fry's.

Bernie stayed in the car with the dogs and I set out to find the front entrance since we were parked close by but not exactly nearby.  I grabbed a cart and away I went.  I knew what I wanted but sometimes it is hard to do a quick shop when nothing is familiar.  I will do better next time.  I filled up the cart and got in line and as the check out lady was ringing up my purchases she said that it was Senior Discount Day.  Well I asked how old you had to be to be a senior and she said 55.  So I said, I'm on that with a few more years!  So then she asks for my Fry's card and I said I didn't have one because I am a Canadian and we don't have Fry's in Canada.  She looked disappointed but then the guy behind me says, "Go back to Canada, it is colder there!"  She asked him if I could use his card and he said of course I could.  So we were set.  I saved 35 bucks, he got the points and fuel points too.  Everybody was happy.  The bag boy helped me out and we walked about half a mile to the car.  He loaded everything up for me and we were on our way.

Groceries got unpacked, dogs got fed and watered, WiFi was hooked up, T.V. was on for a football game or something, blankets put on the furniture since the dogs are going to jump up there even if they aren't supposed to, pizza put in the oven, beer consumed (16 ounce aluminum bottles of Budweiser - 20 bucks for 24)  What can I say?

This morning I took the picture of my new office.  It is now 11:45 a.m., Bernie just got up.  I was awake at 6:30 to take the dogs out for a pee break.  I went back to bed but I couldn't sleep so I got up and took them out for a longer walk before it got too hot.  It is currently 29 degrees and rising.  Life is good.

 

 

 

On vacation

You would think that with all the extra time on my hands that I would be blogging like crazy.   I have had a few ideas and mini rants but I found other things to do and my blog was silent.  Now as I sit in a camp site in Peachland, B.C. with my trusty lap top on my knee and a cup of coffee to fortify my "morning" brain I feel inspired once again!  I think this could be a travel blog if I put my mind to it; but then that would be work.

I managed to take some vacation days and get eleven whole days off - in a row!  Wow.  Bernie was registered to ride the Granfondo again in Penticton on July 13th so we worked our vacation around that event.  Two years ago we stayed at a tiny postage stamp sized campground called "Camp Along" south of Penticton.  Last year we ended up right in Penticton at a lovely place called "Park Royal RV".  I tried to get us in again this year but I was too late.  I guess one has to make reservations in January or February.  So we ended up in Peachland at "Todd's RV and Camping".

We left on July 7th and stayed our usual two nights at Whispering Spruce in Golden.  That campground is kind of going to seed but the operator was friendly.  We arrived in the blistering heat around 7:45 p.m.  The sites are pull throughs so it was easy parking and setting up.  I didn't do any of the driving, I just directed as usual!  Of course there was a problem - there are always problems.  This time it was the campground's sewer which was not working.  Those people who were leaving the next day were advised to leave by 10 a.m. since the road leading in would be dug up.  We were not really affected by any of that anyway since we were staying two nights.  We were also not charged as much since we were in a full service site and did not have full service.  That's a bonus.

We left the dogs in the air conditioned trailer the next afternoon while we drove into Golden to find a grocery store.  After all the packing and stocking I still forgot a few things like milk and eggs. 

We had a new lock installed on the door of the trailer so we didn't have any door issues when we got back to our camp site.  I had visions of last year running through my mind and I did not want a repeat of that gong show.  I think I am a few pounds slimmer but I still did not want to be crawling in through the storage area and slithering my body through a small opening under the bed all the while trying to comfort frantic dogs. 

The truck was making a funny noise when we started it up to go downtown but it quit so we didn't worry about it.  I have my fingers crossed!  Bernie doesn't seem concerned so I will let him handle that one. 

The weather forecast said it would be hot again on the 9th so we decided to leave really early in the morning for Peachland.  We hooked up the night before and got to bed at an earlier hour.  I found it hard to get to sleep because our neighbours were having way too much fun.  I thought I talked loud.......wow......I have met my rival!

The day got hotter and hotter.  Even though we left at 6:30 a.m. (7:30 our time but the time changed about an hour or so into our journey west) it was a heater.  We pulled over for a bathroom break and a little rest after passing by Revelstoke and that was about the only stopping we did.  We stopped for gas in a little place by Vernon and we arrived at Todd's RV and Camping at 1:00 p.m.  The owner showed us where to park and he directed Bernie with the backing up into our little spot.  I was glad about that because no matter what I do it is not right when it comes to "helping" with the trailer parking and maneuvering.  Phew!!! 

We set everything up, lowered the canopy and turned on the AC.  The Blue Jays game was on and Bernie watched that in comfort.  He had a big long sleep before the game was even over.  It was a well deserved rest since it was a long day of driving. 

There is free WiFi, cable t.v., showers, a communal firepit, children's playground and a beach volleyball area.  We are right across Beach Ave. from.......the beach! 

We took the dogs for a little walk when it cooled off a bit.  Their tongues were still hanging out because it reached 33 degrees and it sure didn't cool off much. 

It is a nice little campground that is family owned and operated.  Apparently the Todd family purchased the property many years ago and one day someone asked if they could pitch their tent there.  That was the beginning of their campground history and it has been in business for 58 years.  Maybe we could start something similar in Coronation.  Our yard could accommodate a tent or two and a few trailers.  We'll see. 

I went for a long walk today and found an IGA store, etc. about a five minute walk away.  I then walked all the way to the downtown area.  I was gone about an hour and I just stopped briefly for a cold drink.  I bought a PEPSI NEXT which I thought was like a Diet Pepsi.  I should have read the label since it is only 30 percent less sugar.  I won't be buying one of those again but it was enough to quench my thirst.

Now I am just relaxing in my chair, having a Cappuccino and watching people come and go.  The dogs are relaxed.  Duke is inside the trailer with the AC on and Sarge is lounging on Bernie's knee outside!  It's a dog's life if you ask me. 

Photo op gone wrong

Note the shadows on my dogs.  I think they have turned into zebras.  Or perhaps they are behind bars.

Note a photo of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

 

An example of a photo op gone wrong.  The photographer from the Jerusalem Post claims he was just trying to get a picture of the two of them together and he did not intend for it to look this way.  It then appeared on the Facebook page of a sister newspaper.  The Jerusalem Post did not use it in its print edition nor on its website.  The Chancellor is sporting a Hitler like moustache and the President reminds me of a southern Evangelist preaching fire and brimstone to his born again followers.  Shadows and gestures turn into innuendo and insinuation.

 

Now all the defenders and detractors come out of the woodwork and try to read something into nothing.  Tomorrow it will be forgotten and life goes on as it should.

 

Personally, if I was the photographer, I would have deleted the picture since it is not a very good one what with all the shadows and all.  On the other hand he will enjoy some attention and perhaps it will advance his career. 

 

In Coronation the Town Council is concerned about having pictures and/or audio recordings taken in Council Chambers during public meetings.  In fact the council has given second reading to an amended Procedural Bylaw. 

 

The amendment is as follows:  Section 11.8 "No person shall record the proceedings of council through electronics, audio, video, camera or other devices unless authorized to do so by this or any other bylaw or by a unanimous vote of council members present."

 

The concern is that some members of council felt uncomfortable having their photos taken or  their voices recorded while they were conducting the affairs of the town in a public meeting.  They were concerned that the pictures would end up on the Internet and anyone could alter them for negative or damaging purposes. So they have chosen to amend the Procedural Bylaw to ban cameras and recording devices in Council Chambers. 

 

Do they not think that this could be done outside of a council meeting?  Or are they just trying to decrease their chances of public exposure by controlling what they can control?

 

It is also interesting to note that previous to this the newly minted council approved a policy regarding absent Councillors.  There is now policy in place which allows audio and visual technology to be in Council Chambers to enable Councillors who are not physically present to actually take part in the proceedings.  On two separate occasions a Town Councillor who was away on vacation tuned in to a Council meeting via teleconference.  We are lead to believe that this will only get better since council has approved the purchase of more sophisticated audio/visual equipment to be used for this purpose. 

 

Here is the conundrum:  Council approves the latest technology to allow absent Councillors to attend meetings and then bans technology to allow photos and recordings of the proceedings. I would like these two opposing views explained to me since I am not making any sense of it.  Not only that but the way the amendment is worded it would be at the discretion of the majority to allow a picture or a recording.  I am not liking that either since it is not objective and would allow for conflict of interest depending on who wanted to do what. 

 

Audio recordings are a good way for the media to review their notes and to accurately relay to the public what was said at a Council meeting.  Photos are another way to show the public their Town Council in action.  These are public meetings.

 

We cannot control all actions of all people.  There are laws that deal with online harassment and bullying; there are laws that deal with defamation of character.  There are legal avenues to follow should something be used unscrupulously.  Just because something might happen is not a good enough reason to enact a change in a bylaw that suppresses the public's interest and right to know.

 

The above picture is a good example of bad photography.  If some people get their kicks out of making fun of someone this way there is not a damn thing we can do about it.  If this happened to one of our Town Councillors there would surely be a big public uproar and societal pressure would take over.  Whoever did the dastardly deed would be publicly flogged - probably on Facebook - common decency would prevail and everything would be back to normal in a day or two. 

 

There is no need to change the bylaw.  Freedom should rule and council should not be bogged down by having to make judgement calls on what is appropriate or not.  If our Town Councillors conduct themselves appropriately that is all that should count.

 



Doing a whole lot of nothing

I have been doing a whole lot of nothing these past three weeks.  It will soon be a month since I had foot surgery to repair a very painful bunion.  Now I hobble around.  At first I used crutches, then a walker and now a cane.  I wear a "bunion boot" on my right foot which is designed with a wedge type heel so as not to allow any weight on the front of the foot.  On good days I just take off on my two feet and on bad days I use the cane or walker.  I haven't really had one whole good day but I know I will!

 

There is not much I can do about it.  Well.....I could have chosen not to have the surgery and then I would just be carrying on as usual.  I decided that wasn't an option since I was in a lot of pain and to top it all off my other foot is just as bad.  I am hoping to get the left foot fixed in the not so distant future.  I am looking forward to the day when my feet do not hurt!

 

If anything I could use it as an excuse for a grumpy and argumentative disposition; but I won't.  Well, maybe. 

 

All of this has given me a new outlook on some things.  I used to work for Home Care and I am glad that I have that knowledge to help me with basic every day ordinary things that we take for granted.  Each time I haul myself in and out of the bath tub I mutter a silent prayer.   I think about all the people I have assisted in their own homes and how I went about it.  Every time I take that long walk from one end of my house to the other I also say a word of thanks that I realized the dangers of scatter rugs, slippery floors and good shoes! 

 

We have two little dogs who leave their toys strewn about the living room floor and I pay a lot of attention to that whilst maneuvering around the house.  The dogs also tend to bring the snow indoors sometimes.  Snow melts and leaves puddles of water that can make life interesting while I am hopping around on one good foot.

 

So far I haven't tripped or slipped on anything.  I have ventured outside a couple of times.  Getting in and out of the truck is not easy with all the snow.  I have a patient husband who wants to help and who gets hollered at sometimes when he is not right there to offer assistance.  Sorry about that.  I have some friends left who inquire about my health both physical and mental, so life is not all that bad!

 

I am also very grateful for my basic good health and fitness level at this time.  Why do I say this?  Well for starters I vowed to lose at least five pounds before the surgery.  Thus the following quote from the Canadian Arthritis Society:   "Just 10 pounds of excess weight can put you at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) in your knees. Did you know that losing 10 pounds of excess weight decreases stress on your knees by 40 pounds? By increasing physical activity and exercise, you can make a difference to your joints and overall health."

 

That was enough for me and I thought that even a small weight loss would be better than nothing at all to relieve the stress on my feet.  Anyone who has had sore feet could appreciate what I am saying.  Mine were beyond sore, they were hell.  To top it all off I haven't worked since the end of June because of the herniated disc in my back.  I was scared that the back pain would prevent me from getting around at all once I had the foot surgery!  Oh my god......what has happened to me?

 

I found that it wasn't all that hard to shed a few pounds even though I haven't been all that active.  With the decline in physical activity came a diminished appetite.  I didn't lose ten pounds but I did lose five so that was 20 pounds less stress on the joints.  Mission accomplished.

 

Before the surgery and then just in the past few days I had a hellish stomach virus that totally incapacitated me as well.  There was no way I was going to eat anything after being so sick so that helped.  I wouldn't recommend it as a weight loss technique.

 

I am grateful for all the months of Boot Camp for the past two years.   Thank you Kendra!  I toughened myself up and believe me I am proud that at 59 years of age I can do an "almost" one leg squat.  It helps to get out of tough situations where I am sitting in a spot that is lower than I want to sit.  I am also proud that I forced myself to do all those push ups.  It sure helped when I found myself teetering and tottering on crutches in the middle of the night.  There is nothing like conditioning to get through the tough moments.

 

 

 

I meant to take a picture of my foot before surgery but I forgot.  So I took a picture of my left foot.  It is bad but not as bad as the one that is now fixed.  Then I took a series of pictures to show the progress of the right foot. 

 

 

So this was a week later after I got the stitches out.  It is healing nicely.  One of my friends said I had the ugliest feet she's ever seen.  When she saw my foot after the surgery she said, "That's better!"  LOL is all I can do.

Well that's probably enough about the feet.  What a topic.  It is my blog and I can blog about whatever I feel like and if you have read it - good for you!