Just sitting out in Dad’s backyard enjoying the peace and quiet.  Kelli working today, Bill off playing in the Alberta Police Association Golf Tournament, Mike gone back to Vancouver leaving Dad and I to enjoy a round of golf together today.  We started out playing with a couple from Ontario.  Funny how you can determine right at the get go if you are going to enjoy playing with the people you are paired with.  9 times out of 10 it is good but every so often you get that match that makes the game seem longer than long.  I knew we were in trouble when the fellow said he wanted to play from the blue tees.  That meant we would have one player on the blue’s (the Ontario guy), one on the whites (Dad) and two on the reds (myself and the Ontario woman).  This can make for a long game and I know it really irritates my dad and can put him right off his game.  Well....we all hit and started down the first fairway.  She proceeded to tell me that they were from Ontario and would be returning to Calgary tomorrow as her husband had to get back to Ontario for his Member/Guest tournament.  She and her daughters, however, would be staying for a couple more days at the Marriott.  She told me this three times, each time emphasizing the Mariott!  She then told me they had traded their time share at the Mariott in Florida for this time share but quite frankly she thought she was booking “The Fairmont”......and was shocked at the “Country Bumpkin” accommodations.  Hmmmm........a little uppity!  Then she told me it has been a long week being her so far from anything!  She’s telling this to ME who loves this place.....I didn’t say anything but was thinking to myself it’s amazing how much you can learn on the first hole!  As expected it was a long first nine but fortunately they decided they didn’t want to play 18 and quite after 9 and we were able to play the back nine without having to listen to this &!*# anymore.  Maybe they found playing with Country Bumpkins a little below them, I don’t know and I really don’t care.  Preferred playing without them~!

Have times booked all week except for Friday when I will go into Invermere for my hydration.  Five days in a row will be lots for me and I will no doubt be ready for a little break.

Just heard there was a killer hail storm in Calgary and saw pictures of the size of the hail storms on my daughter in laws Facebook page!  Am thinking our garden is probably mulch.  Bill will be upset.  Our garden was looking the best it has looked in years when we left this week. We had figured out how to keep the deer out but there is no safeguards against the weather.  Am waiting to hear from Geoff what things look like but am not too hopeful that the news will be good.

Funny, I don’t ever remember having a hail storm out here in all the years we have been coming here.
Anyways....guess I should look at the bright side.  We had no vehicles parked outside at home!!!

Another beautiful day in the valley!  You can’t beat this place when the weather is great and great it is right now.  Kelli, Dad and I played golf today.  Posted my best score this year!  97!  I know Colleen, Barb and Kathy will guffaw at this because we sure weren’t shooting in the 90’s last week on our girl’s get together!  Too much horsing around and not enough concentration!  Rode the entire 18 today.  Started out with the intention of walking but wasn’t feeling a hundred percent at the first tee box.  Perhaps all the snacks I ate at the Farmer’s Market yesterday!  In any case decided I would cart it all today.  Good decision as it got very hot in short order.  I am finding that any type of exertion in the heat of the day really finishes me off.  Just don’t tolerate the heat like I used to.

Bill is playing in the APGA Golf Tournament at the Springs starting tomorrow.  He was at Radium Resort with some buddies today playing a practice round.  This is always a fun event and he has played in it for the past several years.  He almost opted out of it this year with the uncertainty surrounding my situation but I am doing well and I am pleased that my family are all going about their business as usual which is exactly and precisely what I want them to do!  Geoff and Lindsey are busy planning their round the world trip.  They leave October 2nd and will not return until the end of November!  Every so often they whine about the extra shifts they are having to work in order to have the time off for their trip.  Not one of us gives them even a moment of sympathy!

Kelli is really enjoying her time out here working at the Chisel Peak Clinic and at the Invermere Hospital.  Bill and I are looking forward to our trip down to the Grand Canyon in a few weeks.  We will take our fifth wheel down and visit Bryce and Zion Canyons on the way down.  We have a helicopter tour and a float down the river booked for the Grand Canyon.  I can hardly wait!  We have not been out with the trailer all summer and I am really looking forward to it!

So how am I doing?  Well....the voice is improved.   I still have problems with my wind when I exert myself but I have good energy levels and stay pretty darn active.  I have lost a fair bit of weight.  This was the result of the pneumonia and when I first had my tube removed as I was having difficulty getting in the number of calories I needed.  Although I’m not gaining any weight I am holding my own and am now able to eat fairly normal amounts of food.  Amazingly I still have my hair although I was told that it would most likely fall out after the second cycle of IV chemo.  I spray it faithfully with a hairless product I bought at Aveda!  Don’t know if that’s what’s holding it in there but I am willing to try anything.  My hair has thinned a little and I have a whole new understanding of why bald men comb that one strand across their heads.  I fluff mine and go for the au natural look to hide the areas that are a little thinner.  My doctor and medical team who follow me are thrilled that I am so active and have told me that there are many studies out there that show people that are active do much better than those that are not.  I tolerate my chemo well.  Have had one sick day only and a few days where I am tired after the chemo but nothing to really complain about.  I have an amazing support system which I think has really helped me through this.  My family have been totally amazing.  They keep a concerned eye on me, they give me advice and do research for me.  I know they worry although they try not to show it.  I often catch them texting each other back and forth informing each other how things are going.  My friends and I have many have been such a force.  I don’t know if you all really understand how collectively, you have given me both strength and courage.  I could not have reached the point I am at without each and every one of you.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on all that has been done for me over these past several months.  I am surrounded by amazing people.  I can assure you that if any of you need support in the future I will be there for you as you have been there for me!

Race Day!!  Up and at it.  Race start time for the 10 km-8:00 AM.  650 runners, 75% of them from Calgary!!!   Bill’s had two goals today.  The first one, to run in a time less than his age, the second to win a medal.

I drove into town and down to the Pynlogs where the race finished.  Bill arrived with a time of 55 minutes so goal one was accomplished!!!  Yahoo.  55 minutes is three minutes faster than his last years time and he was in a new age group so the possibility of a medal was looming!  Unfortunately, it would appear that there were some rabbits in his age group.  He ended up coming in 5th out of 18 for his age!  Not bad for someone who only ran five times before the race!  His training was minimal.  It was a great day for running and I must confess I was feeling a little sorry for myself watching all the people coming across the finish line.  I do miss my running.  Shogging just doesn’t do it !  Came home and took Boomer for his afternoon swim.  Basically a lazy day!  Tomorrow Kelli, Dad and I are hitting the golf course.

Well, it has been one of those days.  Got up and started to get organized to go to the lake.  Was rushing around and decided to take the wrapping off my new lamp.  Rushed it a bit (hmmm.....that’s definitely a problem with me) and put a bit of a dimple in the shade.  Am hoping it will spring back if I leave it alone....if not I know where to get a replacement.  Ticks me off though.  Then met Maureen for coffee and had a nice visit.  Returned home to pack up and then headed over to the bank to deposit a cheque.  On the way out of the bank I walked past a woman just backing out of her parking stall.  I noticed a rather large puddle where she had been parked, did a double take on it and then glanced at her vehicle and sure enough there were drips following her pathway.  Thought about it for a moment and decided it was probably just the air conditioning unit leaking a bit so wandered over to my own vehicle and then looked up at her as she drove by giving me the finger.  I thought, why the heck is that all about and impulsively ALMOST returned the salute!  Common sense kicked in though and I decided to pretend I didn’t notice what she was doing so instead I gave her a huge smile and waved as if I knew her.  Big, big mistake.....someone obviously “pissed in her cornflakes” this morning because she proceeded to put her window down and yelled out that I could  “just &@*k OFF!”  I still can’t figure out what brought all this on but she obviously did not appreciate me looking at her air conditioning fluid!  Finally got on the highway and decided to stop at Beamers in Canmore for a bagel and cream cheese.  I was the only one in the coffee shop, placed my order and then proceeded to stand patiently at the counter thinking to myself how long can it take to toast a bagel and put a little cream cheese on it.  The girls behind the counter were drinking their coffee and chatting and one was busy making wraps so I continued to wait. They would smile at me periodically and finally I decided to go use the washroom.  Came back.....still no bagel so finally after at least ten minutes....probably longer I asked if they had forgotten about my bagel......Oh my....yes they had!  I wonder what they thought I was doing standing there watching them.  It wasn’t like the place was hopping.  I was the only customer....Oh well....had my bagel and continued on my way.  Arrived in Windermere and decided to stop at Hopkins Harvest for some fruit.  Picked up some blueberries and peaches and put them on top of the cooler in my car thinking to myself I’ll drive careful and they will be fine.  WRONG!  First corner the blueberries came flying off the cooler and flew all over my car.  Nothing like blueberry juice on your car carpet!!!  Unreal!  Needless to say when I arrived at Dad’s and he offered me a glass of wine I was all over it!

Had supper then went across the lane to visit Dad’s old neighbours Izy and Peter.  They lived here for years but have moved to Victoria and their kids have taken over the house.  This weekend is an 80th birthday celebration for both Izy and Peter and the whole family, all 25 of them are here to celebrate!  Things are a buzzing over there and I am sure they are going to have a fabulous time! It was sooo great to see them both!  I have missed them. Met a whole bunch of the family that I hadn’t met before and had a chat with their son in law who just happens to be a classmate of my surgeon! What a small world!!!

Looking forward to a great week out here!  Tomorrow I am going into Invermere to cheer Bill at the finishing line.  He is running the 10 km for the annual Loop the Lake.  He has moved into a new age category and is hoping to “medal” tomorrow.  Not that he deserves it....his training hasn’t been up to par if you ask me...running five times before a 10 km race doesn’t quite cut it!  Still I will be there a little envious to be sure but I will eat the pancake breakfast instead!!!  Will post a photo tomorrow of the weekend warrior!

Back from Gull Lake and as anticipated, lots of laughs and good fun!  I love these girls!  We have been friends since we were twelve years old when we played badminton together and just played together in general!!!  Colleen and I arrived on Monday afternoon.  Long weekends at Gull Lake are traditionally full of fun events and Kathy and Barb in particular were both in recovery mode from a weekend of sailing races, horse shoes and assorted other activities involving 8 oz. weights!  It was gloriously hot so we headed down to the beach to enjoy the day.  Kathy decided we should go out in a “floatilla” so we hauled the floaties out and began the long hike out to find water deeper than knee deep.  Boomer was in heaven and went ahead with Kathy.  As you know though, Boomer does not believe people belong in the water and panics when he sees people he cares about in the water.  He will ignore strangers but his people belong on shore.  Well, I guess Kathy qualifies as someone he cares about because by the time Colleen and I got out there she was screaming, “Going down, going down!!”  She was semi submerged on her floaty with Boomer stretched across her looking quite comfortable.  Where is the camera when you need it?  Unfortunately we missed getting this on camera!  It would have been a prize winner in a contest I’m sure.  On the down side, poor Kath was sporting some dandy bruises the next day as Boomer was not very gentle in his attempts to join her on her floatie.

Had a fun evening but were all in bed by 10:30.  A little different from our younger days that’s for sure!!!  Up in the morning and off to Lacombe to play golf!  Nobody was stellar but it was tons of fun.  Back to the lake for more visiting and catching up!  Next day we headed off to Riverbend in Red Deer.  We had played this course a few years back and I remember really enjoying it.  Again.....the golf for all of us was a little sub par but the fun was not.  On the very first hole Kathy and I are tooting along in our cart when we came across a ball just lying in plane view on the side of the fairway.  We stopped, looked around in every direction and could not see anyone whom the ball might belong to.  After a short discussion we decided to lay claim to it so I hopped out and picked it up.  We drove another 6 feet and low and behold a second ball.  Same thing....no one in sight so we staked our claim once again wondering how anyone could miss such obvious balls.  Well.......we are sitting there waiting for Colleen to hit and Kathy looks back over her shoulder and says “oh, oh.....someone’s headed this way for those balls.” I didn’t even look back.  I just took one of the balls and tossed it backwards over my shoulder and then asked Kathy if she thought the guy had seen me do it.  “Oh yah....he saw you alright...”  We are both sitting there dying of embarrassment because we both know better than to pick up another players ball like this.  Well, the guy came over to us and asked about the second ball.  We paused momentarily wondering what would be the best approach here and Kathy asked what kind of ball it was.  Sure enough it was the titiilist that was sitting right in front of me in the cart.  Soo.....we apologized profusely and returned the ball.  Lucky for us he was pleasant about it!  Not every golfer would have been.  Then we drove off and once out of earshot had a good laugh about it!  I’m certain that guy returned to his group to tell them about the “dumb broads” on hole one!   On we continued.....Kathy managed to nail her sister, Barb with a ball.....a miraculous shot really.  Not everyone is capable of hitting the ball at a ninety degree angle but Kathy is a talented player and did just that!  There was a moment of shocked surprise from all of us and then gales of laughter once we realized Barb was OK.  Then there’s Colleen who won on day 2 but wasn’t above cheating to do so!  I asked her to tend the flag on one hole and while I was looking down she moved the flag over so it wasn’t even over the hole!!!  Funny girl!!!  At least she thought so!!!

Boomer also had a great weekend.  Barb has a golden lab named Walter and the two of them hit it off famously.  Poor Walter had had a weekend of young rambunctious dogs so was more than happy to have a guest who was a little more sedate.  Both boys are starting to get a little arthritic in the joints so we decided to take a run to the Elk Farm to pick up Elk Velvet pills.  These are supposed to be miracle workers with respect to arthritis.  I actually felt like we were buying contraband.  We pulled into the yard of the ranch and were met by the owner.  He took our $40 (cash only...) and disappeared into the house, returning with two bottles of the miracle pills.  Don’t know if we have been duped but we are going to give it a try!  I have become much more open to various health claims.....both for myself and everyone around me.  I’m eating more organic, drinking filtered water, cutting out sugar.....etc. etc.  I would really like to do more but you have to be careful with supplements etc. as many of them will counteract the effect of the chemotherapy.  We tried to talk Kathy into trying the Elk Velvet pills but she has decided to wait and see how the dogs do before she tries it!!!

Had my hydration today.  Nurse was not good at getting an IV started.  I had to chuckle because last week I had a male nurse that was amazing.  He started the IV without any problem and when I mentioned that some of the nurses had problems and said that I was dehydrated he just laughed and said that nurses love to blame the patient!   After a couple of pokes and good bruise on my hand the nurse went and got someone else who had no issues at all.  Makes you wonder!

Tomorrow off to Windermere for a bit.  Looking forward to playing some golf and kicking back in the valley for a bit!

THANKYOU KATHY!!!  You are a marvellous hostess.  I have so many happy memories of times at Gull Lake!!!  A weekend with you is always one to look forward to and remember!  Here’s to 46 years of solid friendship!!!  Love you girl!!

Ditto Colleen!!!  Love spending time with you!  You have the wickedest laugh in the world!