My brother woke me out of a dead sleep at 6:30 this morning and caused me great concern because I didn’t have my glasses on to see that it was him and I was afraid it was the hospital and something had gone wrong.
I did get a good deal of work done which was satisfying and then I went to visit Mark and strongly. Encourage him to push himself harder and get moving so that he would be released as I have promised Jake that I will leave his apartment Thursday if possible, or at the very latest early Friday morning as he needs to get ready to head to Taipei. To his credit, Martin did get himself out of bed and go for a short walk down the hall and back with intention to sit for a while afterwards these are good things which should help get the system working again so that they feel he is good to go.
From there it took me 55 minutes to go 26 km across the city directly east from the hospital for dinner with my cousin Michael, Shanna and Parker in Port Coquitlam. We had such a nice visit and a delicious meal. Unfortunately Shanna has been having problems with her ear and need to go lie down. I felt bad for. Parker spent time explaining to me about his geology courses that he’s taking showing me rocks and his notebook from his field trip. It is so great to see a nearly 20-year-old light up about the studies he is taking. And my clothes always it’s just so lovely. Their whole family is just so real and kind and lovely. Michael gave me the stuffy that he bought at the llama and alpaca rescue place that We went to see. I can’t believe their cats are from the same litter! It was only 20 minutes back as it was no longer rush-hour.
Had a little hangout and a dram of scotch with Jake as I had missed doing that on the anniversary of my dad‘s crash last Thursday.
I admit that each day longer that I am here I less want to go home. I love the city so much.
I woke up with one of my nails beginning to damage and I couldn’t ignore it any longer, so I looked up reviews on nail salons near me that do acrylics. I used their contact on their website and got ready just in case and then started working. It didn’t take long to hear back. I spent a lovely time at the crafty nail bar getting a deluxe pedicure, the beautiful manicure with what they call mermaid polish.
My nail technician had one of the most delightful tattoos I have ever seen. It just brought me joy seeing it.
Next, I took my car for a pampering service
I parked back at the apartment and walked the neighborhood. The name of the park nearby amuses me. Eventually I ended up a Burgoo again for happy hour. It is a beautiful day and I sat and read my book for a while before stopping for snacks at Save-On and heading back to my temporary office.
Got quite a bit done and am relaxing watching my shows. I love my app that let’s me watch on my iPad what I have recorded on my pvr
I woke up at 9:30 having had the best sleep since I arrived in town. It might’ve been the prescription antihistamine before bed, but in any case I really needed that. Jake went for a haircut. I answered messages and talked to Ashlée and sent Mother’s Day messages to my friends and of course my mom. I’ve been jumped in the shower and got ready. Jake came back and did the same and he drove us to ANZA club wear Jackie’s celebration of life was to be held.
It really was beautiful, even if it got started very very late because her brother and his wife had some kind of issue with their flight and got here late. Reid did an amazing job putting together a slideshow which he went through slide by slide telling little stories. There was a delicious table of food and a cash bar. they had brought in Molson Canadian and Jaeger Meister in Jackie’s honour. There were speeches and tears. Mostly family were there and I was a little sad not to see more of her friends, but that made me even more glad that Jake and I were there. I did get up and talk about her and that was good because it made it more real and this part of the letting go.  it was nice to see Derek and Tyler there to support Reid.
Jake, Candace, Reid, Me
We left went separate ways at the apartment as I was a little bit beside myself. Jake reminded me that Stanley park is my place of healing. I stopped for an hour long visit with Mark and when I talked to the nurses discovered that he is behind in his recovery and I told him that they should feel free to be stern with him and get him to do the things because he will opt out and I need him to get ready to go home. He tried to tell me he can get someone to volunteer to drive him home. I dare say that’s a pipe dream
I decided to head downtown and see if I could find a good seafood meal but there is no parking near where I want to go so I just auto pilot at two Stanley Park and ended up doing the drive around before stopping at Stanley Park brewing. I was able to get a seat right away at the bar and they put down the list of the daily tap to see that the first one on the list was Anzac. Now, that did make me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I had a bucket of prawns and the most delicious edamame I have ever had. I enjoyed my bartender, Sabrina and the entertainment of Josh, who introduced himself to me and said it was just all about being happy. I bought the cutest little glass as my souvenir of this entire trip and wrote a note to leave it for Sabrina and Josh to let them know that they’re smiling and being kind without even knowing what was going on made a difference. I do find that why most important moments of internal pain are easier to handle when I am alone in a crowd, just soaking up the energy of those around me and reminding myself to breathe.
I had a nice relaxing morning and then got ready as Julie picked me up right around noon. Well actually, I pulled up my car, She parked and I drove. Found a Parkade down in Gastown right across from where I had bought my Blundstone clogs. They just didn’t fit well enough and cause blisters and were too much money to only wear once in a while. They took them back, no problem as there was no wear on the soles. We then headed down the street to Leo to pick up my first pair that they re-soled for me. I was nervous to try them on as I haven’t worn them in years, but they were so comfortable like older friends and I am so happy. Here are the before and after pictures.
Bennett
I did still want a pair of flat comfortable stylish shoes so I asked to try on the gorgeous pair. I had my eyes on. Chad, who had helped me for all three of the times that I have gone there said he would bring a pair over from their Granville store, which is where I got my original ones and would hold them until Thursday when he would refund them to my credit card and charge them out at 25% off as it would be Fluevog Day and I will likely not be in town and then he will ship them to me for free. Honestly, it was the best experience and I can’t wait to wear them at home.
As I went to take my card out of my wallet, my wallet completely fell apart. Of course, that was also a good excuse to take advantage of being there and I bought a beautiful leather wallet, but I will try to remember to take a picture of tomorrow.
We next headed down to the Black frog and had a delicious meal and a good chat. The board advertised a kidney wash which made me chuckle as it was a cranberry vodka and soda
We headed over to the eight McMillan planetarium where we started our time in the Museum of Vancouver. It has really updated since I was there last, but many of my favourite things were still there, especially the neon from around the city. The addition of the aboriginal display just added so much.
Next, it was upstairs to the actual planetarium where we watched a 15 minute show called me, Mesmerica. It was really very good and I can only imagine that it would’ve been even better had I been enhanced.
I was so happy that I mentioned to Julie. I had wanted to go on the flyover Vancouver. She has never been on one of those rides and was happy to agree so we headed down to Canada Place. I had bought the tickets on the app so we were there early enough to wander around and take some pictures and cruise the gift shop which I as soon as the show was over I went back and bought a beautiful candle and a place mask because I only need one and I love it.
We decided by now it’s time for dinner so we walked over to Jack Poole Plaza to eat at the cactus club. We had a lovely spot out on the heated patio and a great server. He was very engaging when he found out about my trip to London where he lived and the fact I went to Theatre school, which is what he did there . all these things came up naturally in conversation and it turned out, as he put it, he lurked around us as he was enjoying the conversation so much. Julie and I had a very big giggle and he got a laugh when he came over to our table and I showed him that I had brought my own place mat.
It was a lovely stroll back to the parking lot and then back to swap out parking spots again as Julie has an hour drive home still. Another great day and texting with Mark and sending him pictures seems to be helping him as well.
I was awake at 630 again so I lounged a little and watched a few of my shows before taking a shower and settling down to get some work done. I laughed that Jay gave me I told to use that was a shower gift just after he was born. I have the matching one with my name on it. Those were good quality towels that have stood up for 30 years. I offered to buy him new towels for his birthday, but he says he has good ones. They’re just in the wash right now.
I got a good amount of work done and then went to visit Mark who has had a tough day. He was sleeping when I got there so I waited for an hour to have a very short visit and talk with his nurse. Still no estimated time of departure. I do need to have that talk with Mark that it would mean a lot to me if he listens to everything they’re telling him so as to no longer complicate things and hopefully get us home sooner than later. his friend Daphne from Kaslo and I had a good textorama about his aftercare. We are both worried about him, but also acknowledge that it is up to him. She said suggested I bring him mittens so that he can’t pick up and put things in his mouth that he’s not supposed to lol the nurse thought it was a very good idea.
I was surprised to find Jake at home as I thought he was going out this evening, but we got to hang out and that was lovely. I had my leftover steak from the other night. He made himself some chicken and then we hopped in his car and went down the hill for what must be the best ice cream I’ve had in a very long time. there was a big lineup just to get in the door as if it was a fancy nightclub. The flavours to choose from were amazing and I ended up getting a scoop of whiskey, hazelnut and one of mini egg. I was not disappointed.
It’s been nice to have regular chats with my son. I miss him. I think he liked the magnet I left on his fridge.
I didn’t sleep well. Seems neither Jake nor Mark did either. I went to visit Mark around 10 and picked him up a card and magnet at the hospital gift shop. Turns out he miraculously ended up in a private room with a view. I laughed that it was 420
We had a decent visit and I was able to tell him what the Dr told me. Some things he was unaware of and I was there when the internist came. I told her I was grateful that she was asking g lots of questions and requested that she see the big picture so that he would only be on necessary meds etc. I told Mark that I was going to leave him to rest and that I would see him tomorrow unless he needed me.
I made it back to park at Jake’s just before Kelly arrived. We walked over to Burgoo and had an amazing 3 hour lunch and catch up. The food was delicious comfort food just as Jake had suggested.
I came back to the apartment and rested as I’d made plans s with Julie Porter. She drove an hour to pick me up and we wandered David Street as we waited an hour and a half to get into Tom Sushi. It was worth it. Again, I was grateful for the time to hang out and catch up. Back in 2010 or 2011, I was sent by the firm that I worked at to help her with her books out in Delta. That began a lovely friendship and I have missed our chats. After dinner we wandered down the block and sat enjoying Turmeric Chai Latte’s before she dropped me off and said we should try to get together ext week if I am still here.
This was an anniversary of my Dad’s death and is usually sad, but instead it was full of love and great memories. And I think I will sleep well as my soul has been tucked in with a kiss on the forehead.
I will originally at 4:14 and then in time to go get Mark but I haven’t checked my phone because for some reason it didn’t actually vibrate enough to wake me up or ring and I couldn’t give him comfort that I was on my way so he took a cab and I met him at the hospital. I was still there in time to have picked up and brought him, but I understand that I caused a bit of stress and I felt bad. We got him checked into the surgical ward and all the history taken in the tests given. What I was left with is knowing that it was a very complicated surgery coming up and that it would be at least five hours before I would get a call from the surgeon to tell me how it went and then another four hours in recovery before I will be able to talk to him.
I came back to Jake’s had a nap on the couch and then decided to get a bunch of work done to distract my brain. As it happened, it was seven hours later that the surgeon finally called apologizing that he had been called aside and this surgery had completed successfully an hour before. There had been complications, but all in all the results were good he would however, maybe take longer in recovery.
I was very relieved and Jake came home from work and took me out to the Keg on Granville island for Mother’s Day early We we have a delicious meal and a nice wander around before coming back to the apartment
As soon as we arrived, I called to the hospital to find out what room Mark was in only to discover that he was only just being moved from recovery. I asked the person who answered to please give him a message that I would be there to see him in the morning.
I am very grateful that things seem to have gone OK in spite of all of the issues. I tried to explain to Mark this morning that I may have seemed a little aloof or walled off, even snarky about things, but it was because I was protecting myself from finding out that he wasn’t going to make it. My gift is mostly challenging in these situations, especially when it kept coming to mind to remind him to make a will, etc. I was worried that those were signs that my psyche already knew he wasn’t going to make it, fortunately, that is not the case.
I don’t even know how to tell you how much today meant to me. I let myself drift in out of sleep from 5:30 AM onward when the sun woke me up and then Jake was up and off to work and I watched the president and Prime Minister meeting where I was most impressed with our Prime Minister as he kept addressing Donald Trump as Mr. President, where Mr. President referred to our Prime Minister as Mark, so disrespectful
It’s suddenly occurred to me to see if there was a Rotary meeting that I could catch and much my surprise in just over an hour there was the Vancouver club meeting at the terminal city. I got myself ready and rushed down there and then as I was about to find parking and figure out how to find where the meeting was I started to have a minor panic attack, but decided to go forward. I am so glad I did as I put on my name tag from Cranbrook and represented well. The whole experience cost me $57 for the meal and $21 for the parking so they are clearly in a different echelon than I am. It was worth it, though just to see how big city clubs are compared to our small one. Interestingly, we have more members though.
From there, I found a parking space close to where my friend Julia lives as we would be going out together later. By by comparison, the parking was $2.15 for two hours. I walked to gastown, stopping first at the Fluevog store. There I was assisted extraordinarily by Bennett and Chad. Chad was able to identify my ‘ Judy Jetsons’ as I call them by their actual name, he says is orbits. I dropped off my first pair of shoes and arranged to have them re-soled and mailed to me. It was probably good that I’m still not sure what size my feet will be when my ankle is totally healed so I didn’t purchase anything, but I did enter into the 10 years of shoes draw which they will be doing on Monday I think or Tuesday. Wouldn’t that be something? I was encouraged to buy a runner type shoe that’s on for 100 bucks but decided I didn’t love it enough yay me.
Next stop was the Blundstone store where I asked to have my boots maintained. They were impressed that I had a vintage colour. Well I was waiting. I was asking a few questions and felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously as a customer. I guess that was a Julia Roberts moment. ha ha. In the end, I did purchase a new pair of clogs. Just because I am struggling to wear heels and fit into my shoe collection. Doesn’t mean that I have to buy from Walmart.
Although I wasn’t especially impressed with the treatment, I did ask where a single woman could go comfortably sit and have a beverage and was directed to the black frog. It turned out to be a great place where I met a delightful server named Michelle and we had a goosebumps producing connection. Sometimes in the most random places, you meet someone who needs to hear your story and you need to hear theirs. This was one of those moments. I ended up giving her the button that I got at convention and promptly put it on the wall and was thrilled. To the point that when I went to pay my tab, my server had paid for one of my drinks. How cool is that?
I am loving being a tourist in my old town. I can’t help but take pictures along the way and eventually I met up with Julia and she brought me to park in her building Parkade so I didn’t have to worry about any of the stuff in my car and then we walked over to the banksy exhibit.
It was as amazing as I hope it would be. I took the time to read every single sign and story behind the art and just hope it all to be true.
 From there, Julia was equally happy to head back to the black frog where we sat at the bar. (She is my kind of people) Michelle was happy to see us and I was off for the night, but we had an incredible visit and good food before the noise of an Edmonton game got to be too much for us. It was funny to see bleachers set up in a bar this is clearly the spot where the Edmonton fans come.
We took our leave and head up to the Alma for a quiet beverage has very few people were there before it was time for me to head out. We did take a shortcut through the Woodward’s building and it really is quite extraordinary.
I was so grateful to catch up with a friend from the past because sometimes the people who knew you when are the people who you get to the most be just you now. Does that make sense? I hope so.
Once I got home, I had a nice little visit with Jake and we made a plan for spending time together tomorrow night. I have to get up at five to take Mark to his surgery. He said he would take a cab, but that is not going to happen and I was glad that he didn’t argue. I didn’t bring him all this way to abandoned him now.
Woke up decently arrested, and got everything ready before I was presented with a delicious Rosie breakfast of poached eggs and ham on English muffin. It is honestly my favourite part of staying there next visiting with Brian, Lynne and Rosie of course. My ankle was amazingly un swollen this morning compared to usual.
We got away at a decent time and it is a stunningly beautiful day. It was nice to see Mark enjoying the countryside so much. At one point, I urgently requested that he grab my camera and start taking pictures. we were on the Coquihalla Highway and I saw signs that said ‘accident scene ahead’ and knew in a flash that this would involve Jamie Davis towing who are the heroes in my guilty pleasure, Highway thru hell.
We stopped in Chilliwack and got gas and had a bite to eat before quickly getting back on the road. Next stop was Linus Media Group to grab the house keys from Jake. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a tour as they are not allowed during business hours so I had a fun spoof on their unboxing videos
Next, we headed for the Canadian Cancer Society lodge to settle Mark in on the way we were held up on the connecter in Richmond due to a four car pileup where one last car actually raised the rear end of a huge lifted pick up truck. They hit it with such impact. The light was incredible. I actually got a little teary thinking that for several decades now I have been donating a little bit each month towards that society and now know that’s where at least some of the money went. The gentleman they’re giving us the tour said that they actually have a person who has been there for over a year receiving treatment as they live too far away.
The next stop was Jake’s apartment where Mark helped me haul all my stuff up to the third floor and then I took him for a tour of all the most amazing parts of Vancouver that we could hit up in the next few hours, which included two circles around the Stanley Park Drive, a walk to the pool on second beach, looping around in Kitsilano, passed the planetarium and maritime Museum, then all the way out fourth Avenue to a loop around and through the UBC endowment lands and back out along 41st and through parts of Point Grey and Shaughnessy before delivering him back home to the lodge for the night. He was thrilled with what we saw and I so was I. It had been a long time and I was mostly amazed by how big the trees had grown.
I dropped him off with plans to pick him up Wednesday morning and be there until he goes into operation. Back at the apartment, I was able to relax. I do dig the vibe Jake has. We had a very short visit when he got home as he is exhausted from officiating his best friend, Loren’s wedding in Tofino.
I’ve been slowly making plans to visit with friends and I think I will spend some time in gas town tomorrow afternoon
Got up and out of the hotel, on the road by 9 or so. Picked up Mark in Kaslo, had a quick visit with Daphne and then we headed for Blind Bay via the Galena ferry. it was a nice drive, but I was tired and peopled out. We did chat and listen to Audible. Stopped for gas and food in Revelstoke and made good time to Rosie’s. Had a lovely dinner for Auntie Lynne’s birthday after I ran two payroll. Uncle Bryan has bad ice pick migraine and headed to rest while the other 4 of us played Ransom Notes which was fun. After Auntie went to bed the three of us watched Wicked. It was painfully long. Won’t be watching part 2. Super tired now, should sleep well.
Oh my God, what an incredibly informative and fun day of Rotary recognition and fellowship bonding
I went to two sessions, one about tough conversations and the other about project management, both of which were put on by highly intelligent and informed and experienced people.
The main speaker of the afternoon was David Swain about Altitude Project. He was an incredibly humble man who has made a huge difference in the world.
During the break between the sessions and the dinner gala Penny and I hung out in Brixx and played outsmarted on my iPad as it was too rainy to shop or walk. I had changed into my dress for the gala and just as everyone started coming down for a pre drink, Rick sat down and promptly knocked his fresh glass of beer in my lap. He told me that I handled it very calmly and I finished my game with Penny before heading up to the room to find something else to wear. I rinsed out my dress and hung it to dry for another time.
The evening was Lovely, dinner was great, the company was fabulous and we all had good laughs. I
My crb board sold for $167 at auction which was awesome
Got myself together and headed to Nelson. What a gorgeous drive over the pass. Creston was beautiful and wow, Nelson is in full bloom, so much ahead of Cranbrook.
I met with Leanne, got registered and brought my stuff up from the car before heading to lunch. It was lovely to sit with Al and Nancy Dyck, and meet other new people as we enjoyed a delicious lunch.
The speaker for the afternoon session was… questionable… a white man talking about indigenous culture…. He even smudged… I have no words.
I was horrified to find that the black pegs were not fitting in the crib board I made for the auction so I brought it up to my room intending to make it right only to discover that it was actually only one of the pegs that was over sized. Phew! also, as of last check it was already bid up to $112!
I was able to secure a spot on the brewery tour and tacos trip to Torchlight Brewing Co. Imagine my great delight to see Sam Hurrie playing on the loading dock (yes we had a good laugh about that)
Me and PennyMiddle one scares me
I love that Sam told me he was thinking about me recently and wondering how I was handling no MusicFest this year. I am still mourning as this would be the month I would ramp up work on it.
Penny and I decided we’d had enough beer and needed a nightcap so we stopped at the hotel. We’d just sat down when a bunch of our American members cruised in and we all hung out visiting and shut the place down. It turns out we were sitting with the next three District Governors and their spouses: David and Marlisa, Steve and Denise, Debi and Scott. What a fun time we had! No really, I had to tiptoe into my room, lol.
I also learned today that the Paul Harris Fellowship is a big deal and I am proud to wear my pin.
I will admit that three things were big wins today:, in no particular order:
I was surprised at Rotary lunch by being called up and presented as a Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary and I was able to give $1000 US in the Rotary fiscal year which granted me a beautiful award. I didn’t realize it was a big deal until people started congratulating me after. It’s really just a blessing to me to be able to give to something that is making a difference in my community and in the world. I should wear my pin with pride.
The next thing today was completing all my remittances and all, but one of my PST filings in advance of me leaving town, which means I don’t have to worry about anything until one payroll on Monday. This is a major accomplishment.
After work, I headed to Encore and Bill had just arrived. We sat and had an amazing visit about people and his family in our lives when we were married back in the 80s. There were so many questions I had about who had ended up where and it was a really great visit. Roger showed up and I invited him to join my trivia team for the night which was Huy, who was companied by but not playing due to language barriers,his wife, JD, Brett and me! Brett Brought Morgan and Riley as Jill had dinner plans. It was so sweet when Morgan came and asked me if she could call me grandma and I said Nana would work the best and now I am not Marnée to those two girls as well. I love being a significant figure in my friends lives. It is a legacy of the friends I’ve had that moved away. Brett and I have decided that we rock at trivia and it is pure joy for us to play . Our team kicked butt tonight. We only got seven wrong out of 80 and took first place so that each of us got to take home $32. It was only sad because they were so a few teams there and we did so well. The money would’ve been more on a regular night.
All in all, it was a very good day and I now feel confident that I can go away and we’ll get the things done that need to be done. I stopped at the liquor store on the way home and found two lovely items. One was just for fun because it spoke to me.
The other was recommended by John and it is like eating a Werther‘s original only in liquid form over ice, Shanky’s Whip 
triumphgal 