Coffee and anticipation of tonight's hockey game

Got to the coffeeshop a bit late this Friday (about quarter to 11).  By then all the good side seats were taken so I had to make do with the cushy seats at the front.  It was a bit more difficult to take photos but I just pretended I was trying to figure out my camera.  I did get a shot of my favourite barista - he's a very nice young fellow who is always so polite to ol' me.  He remembers my drink order and asks about my knitting.  I mean, come on, how many young men in their early 20s are going to ask about some old lady's knitting?  Its so sweet!    I listened to several conversations.  One was some kind of business meeting.  The man doing all the talking was riled up about some issue but it was so boring! He also used every cliche in the book (lol) when he was speaking " at the end of the day, etc....".  It sounded like it was about fixing elevators.  The other nice conversation (as opposed to the very bad language of two young guys also in the coffeeshop) was between a mom (about my age) and her 20 something son who met up with her.  She went to give him money for his coffee, he waived her off - so cute.  When they left, he carried all her bags.  Maybe I planned that out all wrong...  Anywho, took some photos of myself on the way home and the reality of my wiry gray hair was apparent.  Good grief!!

BIG hockey game is on tonight and the crowds downtown are crazy!

my favourite barista

bad photo of a very good coffee

not the best photo of myself but we can't all be beautiful!

May long weekend Sunday

Did some errands and then stopped for coffee...I wondered why the stores, bus, and Starbucks were deserted. Then realized, the Canucks game started at noon.  Huffed and puffed and loped home quickly after just two rows of knitting and downing my cappuccino. 

Raining so not too many photos plus my tremour is acting up today.

 

 

Today was a good day

Took the day off work because I had a doctor's appointment in the morning and I wasn't sure how long it would end up being.  Also, I wasn't sure how I would be.  It was a new doctor, looking for different conditions and I was feeling quite anxious.  But, it turned out to be a really good experience with all good news.  What a relief!

To congratulate myself and to get myself back on track, of course I went to Starbucks for coffee and knitting.  How do others celebrate?!  The other thing is that when I knit, I can think - really think - and mull over issues that otherwise I try to avoid thinking about. It really does help. 

Here are a few photos of today, including my very own bus stop!  I nagged and lobbied the city into installing this stop so I'm surprised that they haven't put my name up on it.  Still, it looks good to me!

I don't look happy but believe you me, I was!

coffee on Saturday

Went for coffee this morning before doing a few errands.  Haven't been walking as much as I should so this was a good start again.  It was dull this morning but it got sunnier as the day unfolded.  It was lovely.

on my way out the back door - I love this little unexpected garden

going for coffee -  literally!

my cappuccino and my knitting = happiness

 

 

 

 

cheated on the way home...I took this while waiting for the bus to take me up the hill...

on my way home from coffee

a few photos taken on my way home from the bookstore and coffee yesterday...

The second half begins

Well today I am 50.  I was not looking forward to this day, being alone, so I took the day off, the week off actually, and hunkered down for a dismal day.  Since 2008, I have not celebrated my birthday.  The most important person in my world died on April 9.  My birthday was on April 11.  Its usually several days of emotion - none of it good and they are difficult memories given some difficult circumstances.

But this year, I thought I should acknowledge and come out of the closet, so to speak, about my birthday.  Just this once.  I even told people at work.  They were very sweet - I got an unexpected card that one of my coworkers had made.  How kind it was to take the trouble to do that.  I appreciated it a lot.

My wonderful friends may not be able to be with me today but wow I feel their presence.  I received flowers, more flowers, balloons, cards, chocolates, fabulous wine, photos, emails and phonecalls.  But the best thing I got?  Love.  How lucky am I that people cared enough to try and make this a special day for me.  ESPECIALLY my dear friend S who lives in California now.  My dear dear friend.  God blessed me on the day I met him 26 years ago.  Truly blessed.
 
So now I'm fifty.  Fifty.  Now I have to really decide who I want to be for the second half of my life.

What I wanted to be, though not all at the same time

popular, pretty, smart, slender, athletic, unique, thoughtful, kind, practical, comfortable, intelligent, funny, wise, at ease, talented, stylish, bohemian, carefree, happy, understanding, interesting, modest, professional, artistic, casual, friendly, musical, healthy, respected, well-read, well-fed, well-housed, well-financed, well-loved.