Christmas is just a month away

Since Christmas is just a month away, here are some pictures of our decorations on the balcony of our apartment. Of course only blue and white lights are allowed!!!!!!!

My News

Since the only ones who read this are people that I don't mind having this information, I am going to post this here.

On January 29, 2007, I will be flying to Toronto to have a Lapband inserted. This will create a small pocket at the top of my stomach. It will leave a small opening to the rest of my stomach and will reduce the amount of food that I can eat before feeling full and satiated. Since they will not cut into my stomach or intestines like all other gastric surgeries do there is a much shorter recovery time. I also will not have to worry about becoming malnourished as I will be able to eat most any food that I desire barring things like nuts and popcorn. I spoke to my doctor about it and though he didn't understand exactly what the lapband was, he is supportive and willing to help me with this.

Within about a year I should have lost about 75% of my excess weight.

Now for my rant. Our provincial health plan will pay the full cost for me to take months off work, have my stomach cut out (irreversable) and part of my intestines removed (again irreversable), risk life threatening infections and complications (which happens at some point to most gastric bypass patients) but they will not pay a penny towards having a surgery that simply places a band around the stomach (can be removed if it became a problem). Makes great sense, doesn't it.

If this surgery is successful my plan is to start a campaign to have this covered by our provincial plan.

My new set of wheels

Well here is my new set of wheels. I rode it downtown on Saturday. Boy did I get a lot of stares as I rolled on down the streets. Now the snow has come and I guess I won't get to ride it again until next spring. Oh well something to look forward to. I'm going to put a basket on the back platform so that I can carry a bag or two of groceries. It's electric so costs next to nothing to use and goes about 25 km per hour and about 25 kms on a charge. Maybe it is what you guys need to get around Vancouver.



Well October was sure a busy month.

Herman took a trip to Tillamook Oregon to visit his sister. He stopped in Vancouver on the way to visit with Clay and Monty and family. He was gone for 10 days and I enjoyed my solitude at home.

Work has been going well although I would give most anything to be able to retire and stay home for a while (or even just work part time). I think if I ever get to be able to work part time, I may see if I can get on with the Commissionaires like Herman. I would really like to get out of retail.

My freezer kicked the bucket while Herman was in the states so I spent an afternoon hauling groceries to the garbage as most of it had thawed before I realized that it was kaput. We purchased a new one on Saturday and it should arrive tomorrow afternoon.