Bad Betty's Birthday Bash

This weekend we celebrated Bad Betty's 82nd Birthday. It began on Sat when we went and picked her up and brought her back here to spend the night. She opened a few gifts, had a glass of wine and went to bed.


Always the party girl, she did enjoy the gifts she got especially the one from Chris.

But that's a whole different story and sometime down the road I'll tell about it. But not right now.

Sunday she was up at the crack of dawn while the rest of the household was still getting their beauty sleep. Some of us need more than others. Not mentioning any names here. Be quiet.


We drove down to Stanley Park and met up with (most of) John's kids for a Sunday brunch. Niki had everything arranged for us and it was fabulous. It was great to see her and her darling daughter Alaia.

BB was thrilled beyond words. Alaia is such a sweetheart.




Josh and Gina were there looking good. After Gina's health problems and surgeries it's a real thrill to see her looking strong and healthy. They're always lots of fun.



We ate a ton of food and then there was dessert!

This was when the big girls stepped up to the plate and 'took care of things'. Somebody had to do it.



After a few more photo ops we went for a drive through the park. So many memories of family times come to mind and my mom had a warm, nostalgic trip through the park. Lots of stories of how we all learned to swim there, eating the best fish and chips in Vancouver, my dad taking me rowing on Lost Lagoon, it was sweet.

Along the way home we took the scenic route through West Vancouver, into North Vancouver and Deep Cove. There's a cute little store there that Chris and I always go into so we took BB in there and bought her the hat she's wearing now. Sweet huh.

Back to Abby with a car load of pics and memories of a day well spent.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews Turns 69, this is hysterical

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Gotta love getting old.

Old and Cranky

Sometimes in life we are met with old and cranky people. Have you ever met any? hmmm, I think I've known various ones throughout my life, I can still see them in my head and remember names.

When I was a kid there was an old cranky lady who had a perfectly manicured lawn. We lived in the city so all the houses were really close together. Not like now when we live in a townhouse (LOL).

Anyways, cranky old lady had a sign in her yard that said "Keep off the grass". No please or thank-you. I mean we were kids, and back then you didn't do anything without somebody saying please or thank-you. How else would we learn?

My job (self-appointed) was to poke my foot on her grass like I was doing the hokey-pokey. I would keep one foot on the sidewalk and the other one on the grass. It would hardly take any time at all before her front door would open and she'd yell in a voice loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, "Keep off the grass" and I'd skip on down the street. Smugly.

Anyways, this week one of our old and cranky clients died. Not one of the oldest but definitely one of the crankiest. She was in a scooter and would run over anything that got in her way...didn't matter if it was straps on the floor connected to someone else's chair or a driver's foot...just back 'em up and hit the power.

One time she said to me, "I can never remember your name" and I told her I'd like to keep it that way. When she asked why I told her that way she didn't know my name when she'd call in and complain. She called and complained about everybody and she had this busted look on her face, like 'you know about that'?

So here's to old and cranky...I never want to go there myself. What's wrong with being nice to people? Is it THAT hard?

Happy Wednesday..........

It's been a busy weekend. Friday I drove out to Abby before work to pick up BB. She spent the night here so we could get up bright and early Sat morning and go to Victoria for the day to visit Paul. Paul was quite 'with it' and we enjoyed a nice visit with him. We took him for a walk and out for lunch at a cafe close by.

The nicest thing about where Paul lives is that it's walking distance (even for him) to a selection of shops and cafes. It's in a beautiful neighborhood of Victoria. His accommodations are very nice and bright and he seems to be quite happy living there.

Picked up Chris on the way back to Abby and we all enjoyed a meal out. It's a tiring day for BB and usually takes her a few days to re-cupe.

Yesterday we met some friends for Church and lunch afterwards. We hadn't met them in person before having only communicated online. It's fun to meet new people and exchange stories of our life's journeys. We had a good time with them and chatted long after the meal was finished and they had cleared our plates away.

We headed to the beach afterwards for ice cream and frozen yogurt. Good times. Walking and talking.

This week I want to do some new things. I'm feeling like I'm in a rut so I've determined to do at least one new thing a week. It doesn't have to be something I've never done before, i.e., sky diving but do something 'new' in that it isn't something I always do. Like when's the last time I've washed my car on a Tuesday?

Baby steps. Don't want to just plunge into this with both feet. Gotta take it slow.

Have a good week everyone.............peace out.

The Ocean

I am one of the fortunate people in the world that live a stone's throw away from the beach. OK, a little more than a stone's throw but still pretty darn close. I have always loved the ocean. It calms me, soothes my soul, keeps me grounded (can water do that?) and is a theme of decorating around my house. I love everything connected to the ocean - underwater life...........coral reefs, rocky reefs, marine life, sail boats, light houses, sea shells, lots and lots of sea shells.

I have seen a little bit of the ocean. The Pacific ocean that is. Having grown up on the west coast and travelled down the coast as far as San Diego and living on Oahu surrounded by ocean, you'd think I'd have had my share. Not true.

This morning I drove out to the beach closest to my house just to get my "ahhhhhhh" . I am always in awe of the ocean, how it never looks the same twice.


Off the coast of San Diego.



One of my favorite spots to hang out...the Oregon coast.



Of course, Hawaii..............the best of all coast lines.

Now you can go about your day having had your oceanic fix. You're welcome.

This is FUN

Make a Smilebox photobook

From the Land of Aloha

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Friends

My friend Barbarino and her husband Pete renewed their vows yesterday. It was a beautiful day, just perfect weather wise. They had gotten married in January in a civil ceremony but wanted to have a summer reception with their friends and family.

I really liked the way they said their vows, they were personal and not something copied out of a book.


Their vows really reflected their personalities and their love for each other. It was nice to be there.


BS and I have been friends for a long time and although we don't see each other a lot we always laugh a lot when we do get together.



This is what Chris looks like with a purse. It's actually my purse and she was holding it for me while I went and got her cake. She doesn't actually own a purse of her own.

Congratulations Barb and Pete!

Get Smart

The movie. Probably also some good advice (haha), like why would anyone say Get Dumb?

My friend Jennifer and I went out for dinner (Yum) and then to see "Get Smart" tonight. See I 'got smart' a long time ago and got to be friends with Jen whose son happens to be the movie theatre manager so Jen gets her and a friend in for free. Yippee! I'm her friend!

Soooooooooooooo funny. If you want a good laugh..............

Chris and the Cottage

This is where Chris is this week. She went up on Canada Day with Maggie. Needless to say, it's a little quiet around here! On her way up she was informed that Hwy 1 was closed because of a forest fire so she went a round-about route which turned out to be a good one. I'm just glad she got there safely.


To own a place that we call 'the cottage' was really Chris's dream and in 2005 we made it happen. It's quiet and peaceful (except when her mom's around) and somewhere we like to go and hang out.

There's lots and lots of work that's already been and more still to come but we're seeing the results.


I'm not getting up there as much this summer because of a) working Friday evenings and b) no more vacation time so in the meantime I'm missing Chris and Maggie.

Happy Birthday "Little B's " and Canada!!!

Today is Benson and Bailey's second Birthday! Our Vet has always referred to them as the "Little B's"...the little darlings. They continue to bless our lives with their crazy antics and charming personalities. They are as different as day and night but still very much brothers.

Bailey loves Maggie, Benson can't stand her. Bailey kisses her and snuggles up beside her. Benson gives her 'the paw.'

Bailey loves company. Benson runs and hides in the closet until the coast is clear.

Bailey wants to know what's going on at all times in his home. Benson gives a yawn and goes back to sleep.

Bailey likes to play sock baseball. This is a game where he dodges socks being hurled at him at break neck speed fresh out of the dryer. Benson likes to help with laundry by laying on top of warm sheets out of the dryer.

Bailey loves Becky. Becky loves Bailey. It's all good until Benson takes a swat at her. Hence, Benson doesn't love Becky.

Bailey is ho hum about treats. Benson meows until his cupboard is opened and his treat is dispensed. He particularly likes "stoner Sundays" when the catnip comes out and he gets 'oh so mellow man, like, wow'...kinda like he was around in the 60's.

Bailey chases little toy mice, Benson baptizes them in the toilet. They're quite the Evangelists.

They're great cats and a joy to have in our home. They keep the neighborhood safe by watching everything from the upstairs window. They slay all the monsters in the backyard by staring at them for hours.

Happy Birthday Boys!!! We love you!!! We love you too Canada!!!