My sister came to visit me and other news.

In exciting baby news - Lori had her baby on Tuesday, March 15. His name is Mason, born weighing in at 9 lbs! When I saw him the first time at 2 days old, I forgot to take my camera. Rob took a great picture of me holding him but as I don't have a scanner, you can't see it. I actually remembered to take my camera when I saw Mason again this weekend. Here is a pic of me holding him at 2 weeks old -



And in other exciting news, my sister came out to Edmonton to visit me for the Easter long weekend. Rod and I went out for fish n chips Thursday night and then drove out to the airport to pick her up. By the time we got home, it was nearly 10pm. She worked on a bit of homework (she takes business at a local Vancouver college) and I watched ER. Very exciting first night.

We both woke up quite early Friday and headed off to the giant mall for some intense shopping. That night, Rod, my old roommate Heather, my friend Steve, my sister and I had a little mini pub crawl down Whyte Ave. A little BP's for pool, a little of the Thirsty Turtle (which I really like and think we should have just stayed there) and a little Blues on Whyte (normally I love this place, but I just wasn't in the right mood). My sister, who never ever drinks, discovered she likes Pineapple Malibus and Alabama Slammers - two of my favourite drinks. We also discovered a great shot, but now I can't remember the name of it! That's what happens when you have 5 drinks at the first bar and you only go drinking once a year.

Saturday, we were both in surprisingly good shape and we headed off to our appointments at a local spa, mine for a haircut and hers for a back massage. We then got free facials and makeup done at the place where I buy my makeup. The free part suckers you into trying the new product line - I bought a new shimmer lipstick and a new shimmer eye shadow. They are shimmery! We continued the shopping mission.... Saturday night, we were both just beat. She had to work on homework again (this week all her final projects are due) and I vegged on the couch.

Sunday, we decided on a matinee and went to see Robots. Good, but not great. Excellent considering it was free - I had movie passes. We then shopped at the only store that was open in the downtown mall, the Bay. I was quite surprised by their selection of plus sized clothes and will have to return. After, we went back to Whyte Ave for a walk in the almost spring weather and had supper at one of my favourite sushi restaurants. That night I enjoyed editing a business report on the benefits and marketing of stevia.

Monday, we went to visit Lori for the traditional opening presents and blowing out candles as it was her birthday on Sunday. I baked her a cake Monday morning which if you know me, is some serious effort. I don't bake. Thanks to the miracle of Duncan Hines, I usually get something resembling a cake out of it when I actually do attempt it. We probably only stayed an hour when Mason got hungry, so we took off for the airport. We dropped my sister off and picked up Fancy''s sister in exchange :)

I had a lot of fun with my sister. It was only her third time out here in 10 years and she needs to come more often, although I can't afford it when she does. I bought: a new pair of dress shoes suitable for work (closed heel, closed toe), a red blouse, a white blouse, a mauve (it's not pink damnit!) blouse, a green tshirt, a white tshirt, a green and white jacket, a white sweater (only $8.09 at the Bay!), lipstick, eye shadow, and a haircut. Plus too much booze and eating out. My sister also bought a ton of clothes but I can't remember what, other than new shoes and at least 2 pairs of pants. I also gave her some clothes. We are currently the same size and so I cleaned out my wardrobe and gave her some of the things I don't wear anymore. She took at least one pair of jeans from me.

A couple of pics





My old roommate, my sister and Rod on our little mini pubcrawl



In every pic, my eyes are closed. I may have been drunk - me, my sis, my old roomie.

Willow

I just talked to my sister. She told me my "back home" kitty died. Her name was Willow and she would have been 15 this year. Apparently, animal control people were going door to door looking for the owners of a white cat and my dad went to identify her. A coyote got her.

My parents promised my sister she could have a cat as soon as we moved back to Canada as a bribe to keep her happy when we lived in New Zealand. She didn't adjust well to the changes and the promise of a kitten kept her going. We moved back near the end of the summer and I don't even think it had been a week before she demanded her kitty. Luckily, my uncle's cat had a litter of kittens ready to go. She picked out a pure white one and had me name her on the drive home. My favourite movie at the time was Willow.

My mom had no desire to have a cat again and made AJ promise to do all the work. At first, Willow slept in my sister's room, but slowly grew to love my mom the best. She always had to be where my mom was if she was available. Even after she developed arthritis in her back legs, she would still climb up and down the stairs to go sit with my mom. Willow slept right between my parents in the center of the bed and would wake up my dad every morning so she could go outside. When my mom got up, she would be waiting at the patio door by the kitchen to be fed. And then when the next person got up, she would desperately try to convince you that no one had fed her. She would put on this whole starving kitty act, begging you to save her from imminent death. We eventually had to leave the empty can of cat food on the counter so you would know that someone had already fed her. Didn't work well though - she was very very fat.

Whenever I went home for a visit, I would lean down to pet her, knowing I'd get one bite for my troubles. Only one. It was like she was tasting me - Yep, you're family, it's ok.

And now a pic:



I believe this was taken Christmas 2003. The blue stocking is hers - I made it in grade 8 sewing with some leftover fabric. I laugh whenever I see it because the sewing is so bad and instead of saying Willow, it only has WIL left on it.