Friday, February 23,2024

 It's been a crazy busy week. Had a doctor's appointment to get some preliminary memory testing done. He's referring me to the senior's clinic, they have lots of specialists. I have to imagine the wait list is going to be ridiculous, after all this is British Columbia.

My husband is here for a week's visit. We finally scattered my mother's & my step-Dad's ashes (she passed on February 14, 2022, he passed I don't remember exactly, maybe 10 years ago) yesterday. We had a nice lunch with my sister, her boyfriend, 1 of my nephews & my brother.

I made some PepperJack Velveeta earlier in the week & some Pillsbury apple turnovers. I think they've changed something in the recipe, they do not taste as yummy as I remember. And I finally made the Ding Dong cake that I have been wanting to make since my birthday in December. It turned out wonderfully! I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I opened the package of what I thought was a Bundt pan, but actually turned out to be an angel food pan. Still worked out well.

They're having an amazing sale at Big Box outlet (formerly MTF), jeans are only $8.95 a pair! I got 4 pairs today, with both taxes only $40! I even got a pair of lined ones that will be great next winter. I had no idea they still made these, I haven't seen a pair in over 4 decades. My ex-stepfather called them hunter's pants.

I'm going to be getting my new knee supports next week, I am so excited. It means replacing some of my wardrobe, they're a bit bigger, thicker & bulkier than my old ones.

Oh yeah, a computer/vlogging update. I got a really cool new keyboard.

It's kind of ironic that I started out refusing to use our 1st computer. Our deal (my ex & I) was that I would write things on paper & he was to do all the "techie" stuff. But he got me hooked on screensavers & the rest, as they say, is history. I practically live on the damn thing now.

And I have to say, this keyboard lifts my mood, makes using the computer quite delightful. When I first saw it I was skeptical, how good could a $5 keyboard be? But then I did my due diligence, checked out reviews & decided to get it. I went back to my local Dollarama here in Mission & they were all out! 

I checked several here & then broadened my search to Abbotsford. After 3 tries I finally found one. I also got another one today for Robert's computer. All in all, an interesting week.

 February 15, 2023

I hope everyone had a happy Valentine's day. I made steak for dinner & we watched a romantic movie together. 

After breakfast Robert was looking out the bedroom window & saw that it was snowing. I am still working the learning curve of this new camera. I deliberately made the decision to leave my old Sony at home, to push me into reading the instruction book (which is missing a lot of useful information) & learning to use the new camera that my wonderful husband bought me for my birthday in December.

This video was taken outside of Robert's new apartment in Bellingham. I edited 2 videos & several photographs together, using Movie Maker, which is a free download from Microsoft's store.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

To start off, Happy New Year, everyone! I've been meaning to post something sooner, but it's been a crazy busy month for me.

I've been dealing with health related issues, & moving stuff so my heater could get fixed. And my husband has just gotten into low cost housing in Bellingham,  so I helped a bit with packing & now unpacking, organizing, etc.

I remember reading an article in Summer 2022, on how they were anticipating an uptick in cancer diagnoses because of COVID. I actually missed my 2022 mammogram, because of my TBI (traumatic brain injury) related memory issues. And since I've been lucky enough to have a  regular doctor for the last 3 years, it hadn't really occurred to me how people who don't have one might not be getting all the tests & checkups that they might need. I used to write all that stuff on my calendar, in case I moved or switched doctors. And I guess I also assumed that the doctors at the drop in clinics would routinely ask if they needed them. Well, here's an article that offers a solution:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/virtual-cancer-screening-programs-bc-1.7087693

It's been a bit of a crazy year, so my Christmas card videos are a little different this year. I made these at my husband's place & therefore had to use MovieMaker, since I don't have Photostory 3 on this computer. Also, since I haven't replaced my horrible camera yet, we haven't been doing as many pictures as usual. 

Anyway, hope that 2023 was good to you & that 2024 is even better. 

Here's a little video that we shot in Vancouver on December 9th.

Here's our Christmas card videos, which I posted on my YouTube channel.

Weather & health permitting, we'll be getting some pictures & videos of Sumas's Christmas lights tonight & will post them here & on YouTube.

 

December 09, 2023

We took the West Coast express Christmas train into Vancouver today. Had a lovely, exhausting time. Here's a video I made.

December 09, 2023

A short video about my new webcam, which will make making Vlog posts much easier. 

The holidays are coming!! 

The West Coast express is doing the Christmas train again this year, with 2 dates,  Saturday December 09th & December 16th! Sorry if you missed it.

This is the photo my husband &  got this year, with Santa & Mrs. Claus. 

Here's a lovely Christmas light thing happening in White Rock: https://www.peacearchnews.com/community/twinkle-time-bright-walk-in-white-rock-returns-to-waterfront-dec-2-7113367?utm_source=second-street&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PAN+-+Morning+Alert&emailmd5=03B4A4F30691431728BA08A20160120F&emailsha1=225501491747620777181178127215441121728177231430147&emailsha256=d16b4c2c0390d0a755bbbe3a9b7556008b1c6def3423289008d5195437548ec9

Here's a list of transit-friendly holiday events in Metro Vancouver:

https://buzzer.translink.ca/2023/11/12-transit-friendly-holiday-events-metro-vancouver/

Here's a link to a list of holidays doings in Surrey: https://www.surreynowleader.com/entertainment/surrey-events-santa-parade-of-lights-and-other-christmas-y-gatherings-7113513?utm_source=second-street&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SUL+-+Morning+Alert&emailmd5=03B4A4F30691431728BA08A20160120F&emailsha1=225501491747620777181178127215441121728177231430147&emailsha256=d16b4c2c0390d0a755bbbe3a9b7556008b1c6def3423289008d5195437548ec9

Cabela's in Abbotsford is doing free photos with Santa, until December 24th. The website also mentions a video, but I don't think that is free, I'm not really sure.  Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 7 days in advance online at cabelas.ca/santa 

Here's a really lovely free holiday light event, in Coal Harbour: https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/events-and-entertainment/vancouver-holiday-winter-event-coal-harbour-liven-up-2023-7869497?utm_source=Vancouver+Is+Awesome&utm_campaign=ab06f33b44-VIA+Daily+112323&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-ab06f33b44-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=ab06f33b44&mc_eid=d446ceab6a

PNE Winter Fair, a journey filled with glowing lights, fantastical displays, and endless fun, as you pass through mesmerizing light tunnels that mimic the dazzling Northern Lights. The PNE Express Train is free with admission. For more information, click here: https://www.ticketleader.ca/events/detail/2023-pne-winter-fair

Giving Tree campaign at Aldergrove Save-On-Foods store will provide gifts to Jackman Manor residents https://www.langleyadvancetimes.com/community/video-photos-with-santa-assist-seniors-7117825?utm_source=second-street&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LAT+-+Morning+Alert&emailmd5=03B4A4F30691431728BA08A20160120F&emailsha1=225501491747620777181178127215441121728177231430147&emailsha256=d16b4c2c0390d0a755bbbe3a9b7556008b1c6def3423289008d5195437548ec9

You can get a picture of your fur baby with Santa at PetSmart on December 16 & 17: https://www.petsmart.ca/santa-photo-days.html?fbclid=IwAR0YT8-Y3yGQ8Bjb6iuX7bF60ElYyeEfcinD_KAahG0XD_cvyhKpF9KBQUU

Here's a recent article in the Fraser Valley Current, with a list of holiday festivities: https://fvcurrent.com/p/december-events-what-to-do-fraser-valley-christmas-2023?utm_source=fvcurrent.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=monday-dec-4-2023-what-s-up-in-december

I will update this with more information, when it becomes available.