Wonderful Friends!

At the beginning of May I was starting to feel good.  And the Dr. said I could go, so we met Danny and Elise (I've known Danny since high school).  They were on a repositioning cruise that had a port in Nanaimo, BC.  And since we haven't been to that side of "the Island" we thought we should go meet them.

We started our journey by driving to our ferry for a 2 hour ride.

It was a perfect day for being a tourist and a ferry ride.

We both reached port pretty close to the same time but different docks.  So we drove over to meet them at their cruise ship.

Then we had fun walking and seeing the sites.

Their friend Mike came along too.  LOVE meeting new friends.

Yes, David was along for the ride.  It is always fun to introduce your kids to people you've known since you were their age.  Gives them perspective or just makes you sound old! 

Packing the cannon to shoot it off.

Ran into the RCMP at the Farmer's Market.

The area they have to recognize the amazing jazz singer, Diana Krall.

After being tourists and just enjoying being together, all too soon it was time to say goodbye and get them back to their cruise ship.

And us back to the ferry to enjoy our sweeties.

And waving goodbyes as we both departed at the same time.

To enjoy our time together on the way home.

It was such a fabulous day!



UGH! Really?

Heading into the dealership tomorrow.  I hope they can reuse the key and just give us a new fob and reprogram it (and the other fob and spare key have to be programmed - they tell us).  Programming costs $45 EAH but a whole new key will be almost $200.  Not looking forward to this appointment.

A Long Extended Break

WOW!!  I can't believe it has been 3 months since I blogged  Sorry for the unexcused absence.

I won't try to catch up on the past 3 months in one post.  But let's just say that summer has finally arrived and we are enjoying every single warm moment!

And we are getting ready for a whirlwind (but fun) 3 weeks!  We need a summer to recouperate from our summer.

Also just a quick update on my bladder procedure.  It was a complete success!  I didn't really realize the severity until the problem was fixed.  Would I do it again?  Ummmm, it would have to be pretty bad to do that again.  The recovery time was crazy long!  Mood swings I did NOT expet.  It is very humbling to have people doing things for you that you are used to doing for yourself.  (But it's good for others).  The pain was nothing that I had experienced before - especially the first 3 days.  Yes, I would have to think long and hard about it if ever needed it again.  But right now the verdict - it was worth it!!!  Now to play a game of volleyball to truly put it to the test ;)

Our Body Talks to Us?

Do we listen?  I certainly try to!  My body told me yesterday that putting away light weight groceries (cereal) in the pantry was NOT a good idea.  But these guys are great helpers!

She said YES!!!!

This is Ryan Donohue.  He just asked Tabitha to marry him and she said YES!!!  We will let you know when the date is set.

Recovering...again!

You are probably thinking "Amy, what did you do this time?". Again if you don't like tmi (too much information), just move along and we will catch you on the next post.

I am a firm believer that women needs to talk and share more. Since telling friends exactly what and why I am having this surgery, soooo many people have opened up and said "I have that exact same problem! I didn't think anything could be done." I went in on Wednesday to have bladder neck sling surgery. It was out-patient surgery so I was back in my own bed that night. Here is what I did http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/urethral-sling-for-stress-incontinence-in-women . Mine was a synthetic mesh. So far my feedback - dang! I didn't know such small incisions could be so painful! As my friend told me "yes, the incisions are small but the tubes and instruments they use are bigger. And skin stretches!". Gee, thanks!! But at least there is a reason for the pain. Well, and being sent home with a catheter wasn't the most exciting thing to have ever happen to me either. I've never been so excited to pee on my own as I was when I removed the cath that morning.

I think the most difficult part of this process so far has been having my family do everything for me. I couldn't even lift my legs up on the couch by myself it hurt so bad. I also think this will be a challenge for me: "expect a 2- to 4-week recovery period, during which you should refrain from doing too much work or strenuous activities of any kind.". Ummm, yeah! But I WILL do it because I want this surgery to be successful.

Back to watching movies on Netflix!

Please Tell Me!

Who said this little girl could grow up too fast?

Take Something Ordinary...

...and make it EXTRAordinary!!

A wonderful strawberry, banana and orange smoothie made with Greek yogurt.  Served in a "special occasion" glass.  I needed something to make me feel special - the rain is getting to me.

PS - Sorry for the unannounced break from the blog.  Needed to step away for a bit.

More San Francisco

After we got all the business taken care of we went sightseeing.  Can you believe it?  I've lived in So. California all my live and have NEVER been to San Francisco.  So much to see!!
But first - I met up with my dear friend, Sue.  Sue and I grew up with each other.  We haven't seen each other since our 20th high school reunion.  Now that doesn't mean we haven't been in touch with each other over the years, because we have.  But I tell you, we literally picked up right where we left off.  Catching up on things and nonstop laughing.  Our time went way too fast!

Of course we had to ride the cable car

The cars all lined up to go down the famous Lombard St.

The cable car took us down to the Wharf

And this to me just sums up what it means to be down at the wharf.

All the while being serenaded with music

Eating sourdough bread

Going into the original Gharidelli candy shop

 Walking along the bay

Yes, it really was that cold and windy

We took a tour of the WWII Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien.  It was one of the ships at the battle of Normandy in 1944.

And yes, I had some unexpected emotions when I saw the radio room.  My Dad served in the Navy during WWII and he was in a room just like this!

Then we tours the submarine USS Pampanito



 Rob would not do well on a submarine - he is too tall!

We had a fabulous time!  It went way too fast and so much more to see.  That will be for the next trip.

It's the Simple Things...

...that make life fun!!  Such as....
...going to the car wash

...Valentine's candy

...Funny restaurants across the street from each other

...Talking with a solider in Afghanastan

...Chocolate 

...Chocolate 

...and more chocolate 

..and brand new towels for our bathroom!