almost April... really?

The longer days are finally upon us... it is not dark till almost 9pm and it was clear blue sky this am when I rode my bike to work at 7:30am; today's weather also included a sudden hail storm followed by pounding rain. A usual day here on the island.

Last week was busy; actually more exhausting than busy. B went to Rupert to say goodbye to his Grandpa, Simoiget Hagbegwatku, which means 'first-born of the nation'. He passed away a few days later. I am thankful that B got to see him one last time and that he was there the following days to spend time with his dad, Grandma, aunts and uncle while they prepared for Grandpa's memorial. In true Mennonite fashion, I was busy at home baking as many loaves of bread and cookies as I could to bring over for the apres-memorial snacks. The service for Grandpa was really great. Many people spoke fondly about him; his involvement in Cadets and mentoring of young people were common themes. He was a well respected Gitksan elder and chief. Grandma has decided to be a gypsy. She gave the boys some great prints and carvings. Ben got some old plates and bowls that he remembered using as a kid while visiting his grandparents in summer. He has several nostalgic plates, bowls, and cups. Interesting that food brings up such memories :) Grandma gave me a collection of old, like really old, handmade baskets. I hope she comes by the island this summer; she can teach me pine needle weaving and I can show her cedar weaving :)

While off-island we did some mega grocery shopping, saw a movie and went to Timmy's. The usual stops. The exciting purchases were a box of seed potatoes to plant in the front yard; on the high side of the yard away from the perma-puddle. D got a flat tire on his bike the day before we left (glass on the sidewalk is bad for tires and dogs) Now we can not find the flat tire we brought along for size. It might have been forgotten somewhere when it came out to pack away groceries. I can probably take the blame... but he has the new tube! I bought a great little cloth bag at the Rainforest Bookstore made in Nepal; very cool. We made our first sushi roll in Rupert and we found a back and forth cheap sprinkler. Why you ask... doesn't it rain enough on the island to water the moss? No, to leave under the truck and spray off the salt and sand after a beach drive.

Good news around here is that B heard from his boss today that his renewal contract just needs to be signed. The other bad news is the PoCo house is still for sale. It has been on the market almost 2 weeks. Our super renter is moving out this week and the 'staging' rental furniture is moving in soon.

Now I am back to work and my Lab Assistant Textbook stares at me to get studying.

I keep meeting people who read my blog and I take it as a sign to get a post up for my fans to read, like you auntie Vi and Ang!

Still waiting for the Schmidt-Burn baby to come. L did not respond to my email today. Either she does not want to answer another email 'no baby yet' or she is in labour!

the boys are home!

It was nice to have less laundry and a cheaper grocery bill for the week but I'm happy to have the boys home. I think they needed a break from us as much as we needed a break from them.

Some sad news: a Tow Hill Rd landmark called Moon over Naikoon burnt to the ground a couple days ago. It was a museum of beachcombing treasures, a place to buy local artisan creations, and hands down the best coffee and treat stop on the way home from early morning crabbing :) It will be missed.

wicked weather

This is probably the biggest March blow to come through here in awhile... I thought the winter storm season was over?

It got really cold on the weekend. Even got a dusting of snow that stayed on the ground. Then it warmed up and the wind kicked in. Intense is the only way to describe it; strong winds from every direction, pounding rain, sideways snow. Its nuts!

No float planes or ferries today. Praying for it to blow through by tomorrow morning at 10:40am when the boys plane lands :)

B and I are off for our special chop suey and chow mien dinner at the PAM and then to a movie called Food Inc. at the green church; this sounds like a facebook status, sorry :)

FYI: work is going really well. I will by flying solo next week when I start into my part-time hours. This full time training gig was tough; lots to learn, policies to read, veins to feel. Give me another few months and it will all be old hat.

bad knees

B and I both saw the ortho doc this week; B is on the list for arthroscopic knee surgery (for his non-bionic or original knee) and it sounds like I have a partial ACL tear that could well heal on its own in 3-6 months. I have a referral for an MRI but in the meantime I will get to know the new physiotherapist (starting next month) and get serious about rehab. Still no game playing for me till I feel stable on me knee. nuts.

And in regards to the tsunami advisory today, there is a warning to stay off the beach in case of a high tide when it is not supposed to be high tide. We now have our evacuation gear easy to find in the basement and as long as we remember to grab the dog food, the 18L water jug, put on a jacket and good shoes, and raid the pantry on the way out the door, we will be fine.

Looking forward to a great hockey game tomorrow!

I need a nap

First thing I did when I got home from Van was take a nap. I was pooped.

The 'necessary to do' list got done; get a new phone, refresh my wardrobe, find a realtor, pay the roofer

The 'had to wait a long time' people were seen; many family relations, my brand new little niece, my preggo sista LF

The 'specialist appointments' were completed; saw the esthetician and chiropractor

The 'only down south' stops; Sunday service at ERBF, Costco, sushi

I had a great coffee visit at Chapters, dinner at Earls, breakfast with the Swisher girls, cheesecake at the Hankey house, late night chats at the McW's, pecan pie with our Princeton neighbours in Coquitlam, and went to the Schmidt-burn baby shower with the soccer girls.

While I was away it was a non-vegetable eating long weekend accompanied by many hours of Xbox gaming. And with the awesome weather, there was some beach quadding and deer hunting. It was an all guy long weekend, but they still missed me :)

Back to work, back to school, piles of laundry and walk the dogs. Happy to be home.

Stay tuned for the PoCo house for sale announcement. Might be your lucky day to get some great garage sale deals too. We have 2 dog kennels, a big old Sony TV, and a free standing basketball hoop to sell off.

old phone wanted

So when you buy the cheapest phone available the chance of it surviving an under water experience is unlikely. I have seen phones come back to life from a swim in the lake or a short submersion in the washing machine but mine was not so lucky. Lulu pockets are not the desired depth for keeping a cell phone safe while reaching over and washing the toilet, hence the need to ask around for a 'new to me' used Telus friendly cell phone.... anyone got one hiding in a box somewhere? I have given at least 2 retro phones to my parents and now I am asking for a similar one to come my way... ring ring?

If I am not so lucky, a phone will be added to my list of things to do while off-island. oh well.

You can still leave a message on my cell, send me an email, or even a facebook message. No texts will get replied to. I have to admit, I kinda like not having a phone... I feel lighter, free-er somehow. If the kids need something, they can still call dad :)

Big Decisions

So there have been a few big decisions to start off the year.

1#) I registered for my first course of the Medical Lab Assistant program through Thompson Rivers University online. I told the boys I needed to see if I could still learn something new and my brain had not turned to mush. That was a good reason for them.

2#) B and I decided that the sale of our PoCo house was in the near future, like sometime this spring. It is not listed yet; got a leaky roof, broken fence and minor touchups to get it into top selling shape.

3#) I just got a new job! Because the lab is so short staffed they decided to have me start training asap while I am doing the course. Works for me. D's only concern was that he could still call me at work and that he has my number :) The best part of the new position is... hands down, wearing scrubs. B says that it's because it is the closest work attire to pajamas. I am sorry my fashion advisors out there, but yes, that is exactly why!

4#) I renewed my gym membership (ok not really a big decision but now I have to go). I did a number on my knee 5 weeks ago playing bball so I am not allowed to play games anymore; no frisbee, volleyball, bball. I have tried to play at 1/2 speed but I can't do it. I feel like a slacker and my knee feels unstable. I am taking it slow in kickboxing class (but no kicks/knees/sprawls for me), ride the bike at the gym, do leg strengthening exercises, and go for long beachwalks. I don't like to be injured :(

Can't wait for my visit south! There are so many people I want to see and lots of things to get done; I hope I can make it all happen!