Jan 7, 2008 - Back on skis!

I celebrated the anniversary of my diagnosis (Jan 2) by skiing 3 days in a row at Baker Creek Chalets at Lake Louise! No speed, no distance, but skiing all the same. A great group of Norseman Ski Club members occupied several cosy cabins and we laughed and enjoyed great camaaderie all weekend while getting in a bit of skiing too. Joined by Sally L, whose mastectomy had been a scant 5 weeks earlier, I was glad to be back in the mountains again. (Left. Sheila and Sharon at Baker Creek)

Dec 31 Feliz Ano Nuevo

We spent 2 weeks over Xmas/NY in Pacific Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta, our first visit. It's a quaint downtown spread along a touristy Malecon boardwalk, with great outdoor art. With tons of upscale restaurants and shopping, it's typical of a port city where cruise ships practically sail into downtown every Wednesday. We found good little cheap places along the waterfront at marina, housing multi-million $$$ yachts. Sheila had lots of R&R time, swimming most days, despite cool, cloudy weather. Ted walked north and south of our well-placed huge condo (3 bedrooms, 2 baths, huge deck) and checked out everything before we ventured out. Close to a big grocery store - cheap tequila, great bakery - pan dulces every morning - aaaah) Very restful. Made some great new friends, esp. Texans Sandy & Randy Barr and their lively 19-year-old Emily, with whom we spent Christmas Day. Good people living their faith, running a rural kids' feeding program.
Joined just before we came back by condo owner Nancy, we had some good times together. Also jointed by Calgary friends Theresa and Sheldon for a tour of PV and their fav haunts.
I regained enough strength to plan a New Year's Day brunch before flying back to the snow and cold Jan 2.
With some medication, I was able to drink margaritas and eat Mexican food again, yippee!
2008 has nowhere to go but up and we sipped champagne at midnight Dec 31 to give that year a thorough kick in the pants.

Dec 9 - Culture this week

Had a great visit to Edmonton last week. As usual, feted and feasted by Gerdy and Jacques. Snow on the highway gave way to sun and blue sky which stayed with us the rest of our visit. We enjoyed - as always - Charles and Lorette and their take on life, and gossip on the Edmonton arts scene. A highlight, a visit to the UofA's exhibit Dressed to Rule, Quin dynasty imperial robes and archives, only on view until mid-December. We also enjoyed an interactive presentation by Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi.
A visit to the dessert factory outlet - yup, you heard that right - was timely.
We enjoyed co-hosting lunch at home for departing Consul Lou and daughter Christi. Also welcoming new consul Zhang and his lovely wife Flora. Morag, Don and Anna rounded out the group. Morag cooked dinner, I supplied yule log! Anna created a marvellous collage card for Mme. Lou of the consulate's party for Chinese adopted children, good memory to take home.

Nov 29 - Bad year coming to a close...

It's nearly December and I can't believe the year is over. But I'm glad it is behind me. I am finally regaining my strength and body back. My mouth sores have gone, but eating still has a few trials. I just top up with protein mixes when I think I'm not there some days.
I've started to socalize a bit more but evenings are difficult. By 9pm I am definitely ready to be home and often before that. Everyone has been very understanding but it's been nice to be able to host people again at home.
The sad news that my good friend Sally (who has been a mainstay during my illness) has been diagnosed with BC and goes in Wednesday for a mastectomy also. Hopefully I can be a strong support for her as she has been for me.
My fingernails have not grown back yet so I am still avoiding housework and water. Ted just loves that! I am back into lymph therapy regularly to try to regain my arm strength again, lost during radiation, but that too is coming.
We are looking forward to a few days with our friends in Edmonton next week then Dec 18 to Jan 2 in Puerto Vallarta, a coastal resort in Pacific Mexico, that we haven't been to before. Using he condo of Auntie Nancy (Tikal's bird-sitting companion!) should make for a leisurely stay. Ah tropical Mexico, starting to sound good! Feliz Navidad and all that...

Nov 26 - New co-director of Silly Walks

Welcome to Snoopy or Snoops, my latest co-Director of Silly Walks. Snoopy owns Jackie and Ian who sadly had to say goodbye to almost 14-year-old golden retriever Kelly this summer. She had been a faithful friend to me on my daily walks with Jackie until the end. We miss her a lot but are going to enjoy this lively young pup, rescued from one of the reserves with mother and siblings recently. What a lucky dog to move into the Mills household!

Nov 17 A new era in RV'ing

Saturday we flew to Kelowna, were met by Country RV staff, and picked up our brand new Free Spirit RV. It's a Dodge Sprint van, converted to diesel engine by Mercedez Benz, then fitted out as an RV in Manitoba. The dealer didn't want it on the lot for the winter, and we can't really use it until next May, but that made for good conditions for a deal. We had a couple of nights with Les/Sandy in Vernon, dinner with friends, a night at the symphony, then drove back Monday. It was one of the most beautiful days in the Rockies, clear blue sky, snow on the peaks already and quiet on the roads. Perfect conditions.
We delivered it to the inspection shop 15 minutes before they closed for the day. Whew. An inter-provincial inspection gave it a clean bill of health Tuesday morning, when we licensed and registered it, and are now ready to drive it anywhere we want. I'd like to be leaving in the morning to go south for the winter but I guess that will have to wait until next year. Pretty heady stuff for a couple of aging hippies getting rid of the aging hippie-mobile VW Westy!

Nov 7 BP Progress and Fall

A regular visit to my GP yesterday revealed that my blood pressure has been steadily dropping and is well under control. Therefore I can now drop one of the drugs, a calcium blocker, that I have been taking for some years. I am still on the ace inhibitor, a small dose. Finally there is something good about this ordeal of mine this year. Losing 16lbs has helped!
Dr. Waymouth is a great GP, so supportive. She thinks I should write a book as I've done so well, she credits my positive attitude for this. I agree.
Although we changed from Daylight Saving time last weekend, we are still enjoying lovely fall days. The sun is out, sky is blue, it is about 12 during the day so we are relishing our days before winter arrives. Yesterday we cleaned up the VW van ready to store and sell in the spring. It's in good shape so I'm sure it won't be hard to sell and get a good price for it. It's served us well, we've had a lot of fun, but time to move on.
Of course, we are following Mr. Bush's timetable that was supposed to save energy costs by having more daylight time coincide with normal work hours. That doesn't seem to have materialized, rather like many of Mr. Bush's ideas. The good news - soon he will be a smaller bush, then a shrub, twig, then history.