My Friend Gayle

Gayle and I have been celebrating our birthdays together each year for about 5 years. Traveling is now disrupting our plans so today we caught up and a great visit together at the Washington Ave. Grill down on the beach in White Rock.

White Rock Waterworks

When I was stayed in town last weekend, I enjoyed walking around. Joanne and I went to the Farmer's Market Sunday, although there were few farmers. There were breads, jams, wild salmon, and Vendors with woodworking, ceramics, jewelry and many other thing. There was a live band adding fun in the sunshine. I saw old clients, and friends. We were really impressed with Barb and Tony's incredible collection of White Rock and area photographs set in frames, calendars or post cards with a book coming up. Truly the best pictures from different angles, very well done.
Here's the new paint decorated water tower with an old hand pump and the older very tall concrete one smack in the middle of the city which provide some of the best water you'll ever drink.

Teddy Bear’s Tea Party

After the service yesterday, I brought Lillibeth and the kids back to Penny’s. Their dog doesn’t particularly like children but it did get used to the girls. Before bed, we decided that we should have a tea party so the table was set with cups and saucers, finger sandwiches, chocolate for dessert and all the teddy bears attended. Naturally, a good time was had by all.

A Celebration of Life

Today we went to a mass at Star of the Sea Catholic Church in White Rock for Len. It was very well attended and sad to say, it was nice to see so many old friends and family members, who respected him.
After, a reception followed down at Camp Alexander in Crescent Beach where we started out and the kids were raised. A video of pictures of Len played continuously and we all had to laugh in remembrance of the fun times. The kids did a great job arranging everything.
This picture shows the early gang at one of our famous parties.

Overnight at Donna's

Ron left by car Tuesday for at 3 day job in Kitimat, leaving me home with the motorhome. As usual I did the cupboard cleaning, washing and sewing until I called it quits and went over to Donna's, a friend who lives in our condo building. She, Joanne and I had pizza delivered Friday night. Saturday we came down here to the campground for a swim and hot tub and then bought plants for her garden on the way back to the condo. I replanted the baskets, tossed out all the old stuff when Joanne came back to help and then it was Chinese food, in the garden where we visited until 11 p.m. with all Donna's pretty candles. Very pleasant and fun being together.

Block Party

Our end of the block in the campground got together in the sunshine to catch up on all our activities. Everybody has been cleaning and gardening and it's looking good.

Our Family

My ex-husband Len Doyle who has fought cancer for the past 3 years, was hospitalized Sunday and passed on at 3:10 a.m., Saturday morning. Suzanne was here with us, and family and friends were a wonderful support with love and memories for the week. Our family got together for lunch at Ron and Penny's ( my buddy from St. Paul's Nursing in 1962) where Ingrams stayed. Please note that Josh, aged 14 is now taller than his dad. Afterwards, we went down to Crescent Beach for ice cream and a swim. A lovely day together.

Had your mammogram yet?

I went for my annual mammogram today and loved the 3 art quilts on the walls. Have you had yours yet? No? Make an appointment and make sure your busy daughters do too.
It's worth double clicking on these pictures to get the details, done with great good humor. Unfortunately I couldn't get rid of the flash on the photo on the door to the X-ray room saying No men allowed.

Happy Mother's Day

I drove to West Vancouver today for a baby shower for Suzanne's sister-in-law, Carolyn. It was at The Salmon House up on the hill overlooking Lion's Gate Bridge and the harbour. There was a beautiful view and a very happy time with 3 moms and 5 young women.
This restaurant is very well know and of course has superb food. It is built of cedar wood, with totem poles, white ceramic carvings below and many paintings on the walls of large red ravens and other significant Native items.
Here's we two moms together.

Prime Rib on the Ronco

Thank heavens I am recovering very quickly, back to swimming 60 lengths, building back up to 80 as before and only a little soreness remains.
We had CJ and Joan, and Carol and Roger over last night. CJ had cut a shelf down, to add an extra one in the bathroom cupboard for us, bless him. Of course Roger can't resist checking the action and joining in. It looked simple but ended up being complicated and a lot of work unfortunately.
It was raining, so the Ronco was inside for our Prime Rib. We are forever grateful to Barry and Joan for introducing us to this fabulous machine. What a laugh we had. First Joan opened some tonic water which flew up and fizzed all over. Roger ended up washing the tile floor because it was so sticky. Every 10 minutes the smoke? heat? alarm would go off and we couldn't figure how to disconnect it, so someone had to jump up and fan it to make it stop. What a performance. Good for a million laughs, nothing dull around the Roszak's place. Dinner was delicious and then of course, it was a card game called The B----, (bad girl). Once again the girls beat the boys and they are now getting a serious complex, which just delights we girls.

Back to the Swimming Pool

Thank heavens for our wonderful indoor pool and hot tub, one of the reasons we stay here in summer. I am trying to regain my strength. I started Monday by walking in the water. I could only do 10 lengths of breaststroke and back kicking. Couldn't raise my arms over my head without hurting my back, so going very slowly. Certainly don't want any repeats of muscle spasms. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get back to my routine of swimming 80 lengths 4 times a week. It's also very nice to walk around the park.
By today I can swim 30 lengths and improve every day. It certainly makes you appreciate good health and the ability to walk without pain.

Home Again

I went to walk down stairs at Suzanne’s last Friday when I missed the handrail, my feet shot out from under me and I landed on my back on the stairs. I did ice, warmth and Advil until I had Ron come and get me Sunday. When I couldn’t move Monday, we had to call an ambulance to transport me to our local hospital. I was very fortunate not to break my pelvis or hip but had severe muscle spasms from twisted ligaments and muscles, which required strong muscle relaxants and morphine for 3 days. These beautiful flowers cheered me up but I was very pleased when I could finally get in and out of bed without assistance and got home Friday afternoon. I was very impressed with the nurses and grateful for the great care they provided me.