We're back home and the drive and the vacation were wonderful.  The best part of a vacation, no meals to plan, no laundry, no housework.  The worst part about coming back, meals to plan, laundry to do, and housework.

I worked out how many hours Cynthia and I talked and it was at least 32 hours.  We talked all the way to Vancouver and all the way home.  Then we talked every night in bed.  She's getting better, the cough has almost stopped and she's not as tired as she was when we started out.  She got to see some waterfalls, and we stopped so that she could wade in the Athabasca River (there is one spot on the highway where the river is so wide and shallow that it warms up).  We also stopped in Clearwater and Hope, two places she'd never stopped at before.  I wanted to take her to Wells Grey Provincial Park but she wasn't feeling well enough to do that.

While we were in Vancouver, we went our respective ways and spent time with our daughters.  I went to two botanical gardens, another garden, an amazing beach (Jericho), went shopping at Granville Island with my daughter, and walked (a lot).  My daughter wanted to sit on a patio and day drink, so we did that, while eating guacamole.  The weather was amazing, not too hot and not to cold.  Just right. 

Cynthia's son came over from Victoria and Cynthia, her son, her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend all went to the memorial service of Cynthia's 30 year old niece who died from a brain tumour.  They spent time talking, visiting, Cynthia got to nap, and Cynthia and her daughter got matching tattoos.

The B and B sucked a little, no English breakfast as advertised, had to ask for towels and an extra key (we ended up cutting our own and leaving it with the owner), but the beds were comfy and the shower was nice.  It was also the least expensive of all the places I had looked at and close to where both of our daughters live.  Vancouver hotel rooms are ridiculously expensive.  

And what did we talk about?  Everything.  Husbands, death, children, cancer, tattoos, family, taking care of other people, grief, anger, depression, nature, birds, waterfalls, alcoholism, friends, drug addicts, fear, even a little politics.  It was good, for both of us.

It was a wonderful road trip and I'm hoping we can do it again.

 

My girl and her fiance at Pajos at Port Moody.  My favorite place to have fish and chips.

My granddog at Queen Elizabeth Park.

 

View of Vancouver from Jericho beach.

False Creek and Science World.

Queen Elizabeth Park.

Terrifying canopy walk at UBC botanical garden.

Calendula.

Cosmos.

 UBC botanical garden.

I have lots to say about our trip, but no time right now.  We both had a wonderful trip and wonderful visits with our daughters.

We are good to go on the road trip.  My friend's pneumonia is gone, but she does have a new virus which is what was causing all the coughing.  The liver issue is a mystery right now, but isn't going to kill her in the next week.  She's been thoroughly checked over and has all the info printed out, should we need to stop at another hospital emergency.  Hopefully we'll just be stopping for waterfalls and pee breaks.

Actual photo of me and Cynthia.  I'm wearing the hat:)

I'll be driving along this road again in two days, which I'm looking forward to very much.  Turns out my girlfriend's husband would never stop while they were driving, so now we'll be stopping as much as she wants.  We'll also make a stop at Wells Grey Provincial Park to see some of the waterfalls and spend a night in Clearwater.  

Jack is going to spend a week with his grandma while I'm gone so my husband will get a holiday as well:)

My small pottery factory continues while I wait for fall potterry classes resume.  So far I have three mugs, an embossing plate, a crock for my utensils, and today I made another small pitcher.  I enjoy the process and the learning.  I have also made numerous pieces which have not survived.  I rewet the clay and try again.

 

My provincial government continues to suck with horrible laws and policies.  Miss Katie lives on something called AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), $1900/month.  The federal government has introduced a Canadian Disability Benefit (CDB) for all disabled Canadians, $200/month.  Our provincial government (I spit on them) has decided that they will reduce AISH by $200/month and are forcing all people on AISH to apply for the CDB.  If Katie doesn't apply for the CDB, her AISH will still be reduced by the $200/month.  Basically they're stealing the $200/month from disabled people, or $180 million a year.  And the provincial government also raised affordable rent for disabled people by $220/month, while they're taking away money.  It's disgusting.

I need to change the subject because this government makes me so angry, sowing dissension and gaslighting people.

I'm off to walk the dogs because I like my dogs and they make me happy.  The sun is shining and it's not supposed to get too hot today so I won't melt.  I'm retired and I have time.  I live with a six year old who has the most amazing imagination (although that's a positive and a negative at times).  My hubby gives the best hugs.  I have a roomba to vacuum up the bales of dog hair my dogs keep shedding.  I get to see my middle daughter in three days!

Update.  Just talked to my girlfriend on the phone and I told her she needs to go to Emergency again, elevated liver enzymes and congested lungs again.  Fuck!

When I was a young woman, I didn't like myself, or my personality.  I always wanted to be a better person, less impatient, less angry, less judgemental, and less impulsive.  Turns out that these are all part of who I am and all part of ADHD.  

I'm in my sixties now and I have mellowed.  I also understand ADHD much better and what happens when I become overstimulated, or too hungry, and now I try to take steps to fix that before all hell breaks loose.  I'm also trying to teach Jack that as well, but it's hard because he's so much like me.  I'm much kinder to myself now, which is good, and I want Jack to be kind to himself as well.  It's not easy because sometimes I feel too broken to be of much help to him, but I try.

I think the best thing about getting older, is this acceptance of myself, including my flaws.  I will never be as patient as some people (my husband), but I can see both sides of an argument.  I will never stop being impulsive, but I have learned to think things through, and I've also lived long enough now to know how things work out.  It's not my first time, or even my fifth time around the track. I know what will happen with certain actions because I've already done it, or seen someone else try something and fail.  

I'm still judgemental which is something I struggle with but sometimes judgement is required.  It's funny, judgement is okay, but judgemental is not okay.  Like anything, too much is not usually a good thing. 

I have a strong sense of responsibility (raising my grandson) but I'm also resentful at times that I'm raising my grandson.  This causes me some cognitive dissonance and now that I know what cognitive dissonance is, I can address it.  I believe Jack is our responsibility but I often chafe against the restraints of raising a six year old in my sixties.  I felt the same way about Katie, and god knows Katie had a huge hand in shaping who I am today.  On the upside, I'm still playing soccer in my sixties, so there's that:)  They are both my hard gifts.

I think what I like best about myself, is my sense of humour.  Yesterday I had to take Katie to see her doctor for her annual physical which is always an ordeal.  The receptionist and I were trying to get Katie to stand up straight so the receptionist could measure Katie's height.  We were all three of us in a tight corner and the receptionist is an old lady, who is also very short.  As we're trying to get Katie to cooperate, because she doesn't understand what we want, Katie leans forward and kiss the receptionist on the cheek.  I started laughing and I have a loud laugh.  Everybody was kind of chuckling by the end of it, and the doctor also got a hug and a kiss.  Miss Katie also has an excellent sense of humour, her favorite thing, swear words, they make her laugh, which makes me laugh.  We're quite the pair.

 

Bagheera looking out the front door and Charlie sleeping close by.  He wanted to keep an eye on the cat, but couldn't keep his eyes open.

We had a BBQ last night and the nurses I used to work with came.  It was lovely and low key.  One of the nurses is now on permanent disability (back surgeries) and I hadn't seen her in a year.  She just kicked her boyfriend of six years out of her apartment and will be moving into her father's condo who is now in extended care.  What I didn't know is that her ex-boyfriend was/is emotionally and physically abusive.  She has a restraining order, changed the locks, and is moving.  My heart breaks for her but I'm so proud of her as well for standing up to him and taking back her life.  She looked like her old self.

The nurses traded gossip, talked about the changes at work, talked about managers and directors and docs, kids played in the yard and treefort, and we ate burgers and hotodgs.  Nothing fancy, just good company. It was the best evening I've had in a long time.  Lots of love and laughter. 

Last weekend Jack didn't get to visit his mama because the aunt/guardian who usually surpervises their visits was in BC for the long weekend.  She didn't bother to tell us or Gracie that she would be out of town.  Gracie's mom was also out of town, at the lake.  I was angry that Jack got screwed over because nobody could be bothered to communicate with us or each other.  What really happened is Gracie's sister hates confrontation, so instead of dealing with Gracie, she left it up to her mom who didn't tell anyone, because her children are adults and should be dealing with things themselves.  

This weekend, I contacted everybody ahead of time because I am tired of all the drama, anger, and bullshit.  Jack is visiting his mom now.  I hate being the only adult in the room.

Otherwise, not much going on.   

Charlie and I got out for a walk after the rain.  The yellow flowers, roundup ready canola, or herbicide resistant canola that grows everywhere and you can't kill. Thanks Monsanto.