tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913458094763674352024-03-18T22:54:14.049-04:00My View From the ZooA little of this, and a sprinkling of that.. samplings of anything and everything as I share my view from the Familyzoo..
Welcome!Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-22261394446484232472024-03-04T13:45:00.003-05:002024-03-04T13:45:16.664-05:00Introducing Grandma's Place<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjPG67yLpSolv9kk0jhgeoJwpRPuG4M7kRuQv01WRaGLQ_GcCleFRCqD_AabBCnyRMsef5u-3_66fqN8ZS6KPj7uQ9DWIngKMGnJ2CkQDPelzHIEPFM99eCKgQbhj7CM9gTYPIcyD9hB-ophB5KHx7CIHXbnRpl8Yqp9q0gk3S_RXAEiQaVUC4Be3qKw/s2560/Blue%20and%20Brown%20Illustration%20Welcome%20to%20kids%20channel%20Youtube%20Banner%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjPG67yLpSolv9kk0jhgeoJwpRPuG4M7kRuQv01WRaGLQ_GcCleFRCqD_AabBCnyRMsef5u-3_66fqN8ZS6KPj7uQ9DWIngKMGnJ2CkQDPelzHIEPFM99eCKgQbhj7CM9gTYPIcyD9hB-ophB5KHx7CIHXbnRpl8Yqp9q0gk3S_RXAEiQaVUC4Be3qKw/s320/Blue%20and%20Brown%20Illustration%20Welcome%20to%20kids%20channel%20Youtube%20Banner%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />It's hard to believe that as of this year, I have lived in Ontario for 27 years. In some ways it feels like it cannot possibly be that long -- and in others, a little like I've always been here. It only takes looking at the faces of our (not so) little (anymore) people, and the littles that they gave us to truly see how long it has been and how much has changed. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been doing a lot of pondering and plotting lately. The last year was a hard one with far too many losses, and not nearly enough wins. It really strikes home how short life is, and makes you look at where you are, and where you want to be. For me, it's been a constant challenge of wanting things to be better. It has been a lot about looking at what gets my time and attention, and what needs it - what brings joy, and what sucks joy out of life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's no secret, that one area that brings me joy, is our grandchildren. For many years, I never thought I'd get to be one -- and now I cannot imagine my life without them. Plotting with them and for them has taken me back to the "olden" days and I've been looking for craft ideas, and plotting for outtings, online "shopping" for colouring photos homework helps - it all sort of came with the pandemic territory. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For many years, I was a home daycare provider, and was an active volunteer with Sparks and Beavers. At that time I'd created an e-mail list for the relevent age group for leaders, parents, and childcare professionals to network and share program themes, craft ideas, share struggles and build on each other's successes. Over time, I added 0-4, and 8-10 to the line-up and a general "wecare4kidz" group that was meant to be a catch-all for those who didn't want to jump from group to group. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Email groups fizzled out over time, and I'd created a Facebook page, and blog with the plan of moving thing over but things were busy and I never really got there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been talking with some of my friends, who are also Grandmas lately and had been talking about the idea of a Grandma Club - taking the kids out for outtings together, perhaps a movie, or to a zoo or something. I've gotten quite a following on my personal social media from friends watching for stories about our grandkids - they truly make our world go around. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I thought it would be fun to share some of our adventures, and some of the ideas we've found along the way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You don't have to be a Grandma to join us, or share in the resources. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can find the new blog at <a href="https://gpfamilyzoo.blogspot.com/">https://gpfamilyzoo.blogspot.com/</a></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Life is short, eat the cake, enjoy your Grandbabies, and be kind </i></b></span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipPI-ObqXN0Llv4OlVwwAekZzTxbijjezhfjS0zScoXObzw5jHTJ5uYmQDCTXwPgpPrNH_aAxUcFpEyNeNXfGpdx9dMuNaFxlb0zP0z38U5epkM36ve7rIVyY-2_t_6ol5TO8ki07cPjQHXlt-9Rq9Qcm2hX-EBfLOdkWdb6K5mjV8Rk3cXmwc46hUpk/s500/Grandma%E2%80%99s%20corner%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipPI-ObqXN0Llv4OlVwwAekZzTxbijjezhfjS0zScoXObzw5jHTJ5uYmQDCTXwPgpPrNH_aAxUcFpEyNeNXfGpdx9dMuNaFxlb0zP0z38U5epkM36ve7rIVyY-2_t_6ol5TO8ki07cPjQHXlt-9Rq9Qcm2hX-EBfLOdkWdb6K5mjV8Rk3cXmwc46hUpk/s320/Grandma%E2%80%99s%20corner%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-38170340422860262482024-02-08T14:40:00.001-05:002024-02-08T14:40:11.026-05:00Renew, Recharge, Refresh - One Step at a time<p> <br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdN-JE2Abc7dTvEBZg3ElEn0ONyZXKSsRqyvWlIc2RysY2Z6_Y1tGaw14-t7coNcN6Nr7xtgHERMuhqnM8tDeQxIjJ4FrYiRqX_Fwtc8BNO5ffyhvhuwzxHaTvXZUxF8RNJMVLzbfWExTTOoo7G9i-Zs49AL_8vp5sUcaD91WPGKDJfbm52DR2xT1DuY/s1080/420159477_10160927557530622_6576730400163267933_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdN-JE2Abc7dTvEBZg3ElEn0ONyZXKSsRqyvWlIc2RysY2Z6_Y1tGaw14-t7coNcN6Nr7xtgHERMuhqnM8tDeQxIjJ4FrYiRqX_Fwtc8BNO5ffyhvhuwzxHaTvXZUxF8RNJMVLzbfWExTTOoo7G9i-Zs49AL_8vp5sUcaD91WPGKDJfbm52DR2xT1DuY/w209-h209/420159477_10160927557530622_6576730400163267933_n.jpg" width="209" /></a>Each year we head into the new year with thoughts and plans of renewal, of change, and of resolutions - so many promises made only to be cast aside as we adventure into the new year. It's just the way it goes. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I stopped making resolutions a long time ago. I began to refer to them as broken promises. They felt akin to setting myself up to fail. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some of the networking groups that I participate in opt to choose a word that will represent the year, and I always find myself struggling to narrow it down to a single word - I guess it's the chatty part of me - but it's never quite so simple. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our experience with C19 reminded us all regularly of our often overlooked need for self-care. It also gave us a lot of time at home, thinking about where we were and where we wanted to be -- at least it did for me. Not so much the physical location, but it was a constant state of re-evaluating and problem solving. The plan, as it were, is truly a living document. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been tossing around the phrase "back to basics" for the last couple of years. In so many ways, it just makes sense. It's not about drastic changes, but little sustainable changes as we go. That's where I find the most success. I attended a webinar recently where they referred to action stacking. He talked about making a card, then changed it to making AND sending a card, which seems like a little thing but he was right. There are often gaps in the process of getting things done and things get missed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd had my routine in place for many years, I had a plan, and each day shaped up nearly the same way. It was hard to walk away from but in the end I think it was for the best. Too much ignored for too long, is never a good thing. Loyalty and friendship only carry you so far. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With families shifting to work at home, and home-schooling options, with varying access depending on the connectivity of the source of your information. We were constantly having to adapt to this new normal. I was used to being home on my own during the day, not being home with everybody all day long. Not having to worry about being on the phone, or keeping kids quiet during meetings. Not having any personal space whatsoever. It was culture shock to say the least. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't get me wrong, I love my family. That's never been in question. I think of that old joke about Mom wanting to pee in peace and everybody coming into her office to talk to her. Covid was a lot like that. We had spots where the fight was about not having for each other in all of the crazy, but truthfully all we had was time - we just weren't making the most of it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the end, there's a big difference between being at home, and being told you have to stay at home. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have always joked that my van would sit in the driveway unmoved for days, but then my daughter would borrow it and I could think of a hundred things I wanted to do. Life's kind of funny that way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the new normals kept piling up, and recognizing that the plan needed revision, I would try to plot things out. I'd forgotten how little people run on their own schedules and don't always want to play in yours. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually, I settled into some little things like setting an hour every morning to look at the calendar, and work on something of my own choosing - whether that was my social media, e-mail, writing, baking, cooking, or taking care of something specific on my personal honey-do list that I'd been wanting to get done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being at home, many of us expanded our gardens and grew vegetables both for something to do and to help support our grocery budgets. We joined a new horticultural society in hopes of learning more and bettering our skills. We have gotten to meet a group of wonderful people who share a variety of interests and I cannot wait for Spring to come and melt the snow away! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being smart about shopping - shopping the markdown section - a lesson that my Dad taught me early in life, I carry now as a personal challenge. My grandson laughs at me when I refer to the section in one store we go to regularly as the cooking corner. I love bringing home bounty from that spot that then inspires whatever I'll be cooking in the coming days. I used our local Good Food Box program in much the same way. It's neat to get a food item that you aren't familiar with and then research what the heck to make with it. Of couse, if you're truly stuck, you can always give it away. There's value in that too! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I get a lot of ripe bananas this way, but sometimes there are other treasures too. One time I got about 30 pounds of potatoes in varying sizes for only $10 - all I had to do was sort them by type when I got home and I was set. Another time I came home with a shopping cart FULL of peppers which were halved and frozen and kept us in peppers all throught the winter at a fraction of the cost of what they normally cost. We have to save wherever we can. My hubby likes to tease that I have a freezer just for bananas and peppers - it's not that bad, but I can honestly say he never complains when I have peppers to add to a sauce or an omelette or fresh banana bread comes out of the oven. I call it a win. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I stock up on ground beef when it's on sale and get into batch cooking mode. I'll scramble fry some with garlic and onions, and some plain in 1-2 pounds packages and put them in the freezer. It's a game-changer when one of the kids comes home from school and wants nachos and in minutes you can have that on the table. Recently I'd promised to make spaghetti and then we'd gotten busy and I didn't get the hamburger cooked that I'd pulled out. I whipped out one of these packages and diced peppers from the freezer and in fairly short order we had dinner. I love these little victories - you come off looking like some kind of hero, but all you really did was plan ahead a little - a little extra work now, for a big payoff later. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll often pick up meat on clearance too. Sometimes it's a matter of bagging the packages up for the freezer as the celophane is a lot thinner than it used to be and doesn't seem to hold up in the freezer. Other times I'll prep the meat with marinade and toss it in the fridge. Recently I pulled some steaks out of the freezer and bagged them with a can of diced tomatoes and put it in the fridge - the next night the contents of the bag went into a casserole dish and made some garlic mashed potatoes to go with it and it made for a remarkably awesome dinner with little effort. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can't eat Montreal steak spice any more, but I'll grab those up any time I see them. At a reduced cost, I don't feel bad cutting it up and surprising my hubby with a surprise stir fry, or stew. I've almost always got a couple of roasts to employ the crockpot on a busy night of meetings where there's no time to cook but we still want to eat. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've dusted off my Epicure collection and gotten back into the kitchen, and choosing something new to cook more often - a habit that I fell behind on. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I did a targeted strike ordering Tupperware to house baking ,and keep it fresher longer. Now I just have to work my way back into my craftroom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a world where we have lost control of so much, little moves like this make me feel like I'm getting somewhere. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-90647478842114731322023-10-07T13:04:00.002-04:002023-10-07T13:04:16.171-04:00 Wishing my colleagues, family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving weekend! <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQsFjw_0jYV4-9vGVhiDj8cKOq_jZuEblzF9P0PAZWQintFqw9MMlWVj2M2eMrSnQI9TyjeDNMiiw44kBMjhBaMR-nRsbcNqXEU1IqCYDr2bm8tZAn6c-MijhgN1ClOTW5KBPqZbxYfbsgNAtzyrgnI2z_VXZrJJz0vUAAF6hwDdJ4Md8ZFrEeA5u58s/s940/Black%20Thanksgiving%20Day%20Facebook%20Post.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQsFjw_0jYV4-9vGVhiDj8cKOq_jZuEblzF9P0PAZWQintFqw9MMlWVj2M2eMrSnQI9TyjeDNMiiw44kBMjhBaMR-nRsbcNqXEU1IqCYDr2bm8tZAn6c-MijhgN1ClOTW5KBPqZbxYfbsgNAtzyrgnI2z_VXZrJJz0vUAAF6hwDdJ4Md8ZFrEeA5u58s/s320/Black%20Thanksgiving%20Day%20Facebook%20Post.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It's been a rough year (so far). We have had way too many funerals, and not enough social gatherings and happy news. Yet somehow here we are, happy and reasonably healthy despite it all. I can't help but be grateful for that. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the first year without my little sister. We haven't had Thanksgiving together in a long time but there's a certain kind of treasure in getting to chat with someone <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>who shares all the same family memories that you do. I remember joking with her that we'd both have to watch the Wizard of Oz and the Great Pumpkin and chat while we watched. She'd laughed and told me I was crazy, and that she loved me. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's plotting to be a pretty quiet weekend but there will still be Thanksgiving dinner. I think Dad would come down and haunt me if I didn't make his beloved Turkey. though this would be considered a large chicken in his world. When he was out for a visit he bought the biggest turkey he could fine -- so big in fact that we couldn't fit it in the oven. I wish I had taken pictures of he and James slicing the top off the turkey to get it in the oven. Even after most of the day in the oven that sucker still wasn't cooked. We ended up butchering it and eating what was cooked, and the rest I put back in the oven and cooked in intervals. It was the craziest (and perhaps longest lasting) turkey dinner yet. It gave us some good giggles though. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He'd be so amused that my birthday falls on Thanksgiving again this year -- he was so fond of making the dinner on my birthday and telling me all day long "Turkey for the turkey".. It's funny the things that we remember when all is said and done. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That being said, there have been good things this year too. Things have been so weird since lockdown that many of our old routines just fell by the wayside, and I've struggled to put new ones in their place when our schedules can often be so here there and all over the place. It's a work in progress. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been making a point of taking at least a little time each day to get back to "my list" and not just the list that everybody else gives me. It's felt good to check some things off and get back to doing some of the things that I love and have missed. That being said, I'd fallen behind on some of that OPS list and I've been making great strides there too. I'm calling it a win. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been quieter this year, and I've gotten some complaint for it. The truth of it is that sometimes it boils down to not having anything nice to say -- other times, it's just nice to exist in your little corner and not have to entertain any additional drama rent free in your head. Covid did that to us/and for us -- gave us time to think, and reflect on where we were and where we wanted to be. It's not always where you thought. That's not always a bad thing either. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This Thanksgiving I am grateful for all I have, and those I get to share my life with. This ride wouldn't be the same without any one of them. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am grateful for the family that chooses to be family, and the friends that have also become family. Thanks for being part of my story <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div></div>Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-83117505862340087632023-08-24T16:48:00.001-04:002023-08-24T19:16:00.798-04:00It's ok to start again .. and again.. <span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGi3XiLJlsUQyixYxvifnkMADYU2h_297fPVbyUffnJol21mlsLihu2oOyLPsvgGjzwGViT8eBEVaAedhGYrDhzT0rGyR5JVznJi67fqizknJctjDDJ8c4Y-Vs4SxjbvCco1ltChLkW61HGCRJO8JsAP15qWBm3HQxL8lL9WHzRTOFnXa1D4gDsCZh20/s939/345266986_620298793062251_7149375858884727440_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="939" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGi3XiLJlsUQyixYxvifnkMADYU2h_297fPVbyUffnJol21mlsLihu2oOyLPsvgGjzwGViT8eBEVaAedhGYrDhzT0rGyR5JVznJi67fqizknJctjDDJ8c4Y-Vs4SxjbvCco1ltChLkW61HGCRJO8JsAP15qWBm3HQxL8lL9WHzRTOFnXa1D4gDsCZh20/s320/345266986_620298793062251_7149375858884727440_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sometimes it seems like my life is a constant state of stops and starts. While often exciting, it's always busy and it's quite often frustrating. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A quick look at my draft folder illustrates my point for me. So many entries started, and abandoned becaue there wasn't time to get back there. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Someone on the planning committee has decided that I have to work very hard for anyt</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">hing I might want, and even then someone might yank on the rug just as I'm about to reach for it. It's infuriating, yet somehow motivating. I swear, I'm going to win. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm tired of promising myself that this is the year that I'm going to (fill in the blank). I'm gonna get back at my crafting, my writing, and so much more. I'm always last -- and the worst part is that I usually do it to myself -- even if that's simply not speaking up when something else pops in. <br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been slowing getting everything into my new laptop and working on ridding myself of what I tend to call as paper hell. Converting a lot of the paper to scans on a hard drive, and purging the paper is a slow process but with each recycle bin that goes out the door, I find myself smiling for the progress. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I cleaned off my desk this morning and dubbed myself somewhat of a waste of tech. My brand new microphone, and web cam bought for my desktop machine haven't even been opened yet. I figured there was no point because the desktop machine died with a power outtage a few months back. Power supply didn't fix the problem though it was toasted. It's on the honey-do pile. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today I found a shiny red pair of Sony headphones still in the box on my desk that I'd completely forgotten about. My grandson will laugh because they're the same as his only in a different colour. My hubby had bought them for me for the new laptop because the bluetooth was giving me a hard time and I couldn't hear properly in a meeting I was in. I haven't had many meetings over the Summer so they haven't been christened yet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't even get me started on my crafty corner. I've cleaned out the corner several times since Covid came calling. I even got in there a couple of times to create but nothing NEAR what I'd been used to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">2023 as a whole has really sucked (so far). Too many funerals, and not enough weddings. Don't get me wrong, there have been some bright spots too -- but we could use a lot more. This year has already delivered some pretty hard hits to the heart but it's only served to strengthen my desire to kick some a$$ and get to where I want to be. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Covid forced some serious change on our world both personally and professionally. Choices were made for me for a lot of things and as usual we've just rolled with the punches as they come. I won't claim any of it was easy, but as with most things one foot in front of the other seems to get the job done. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's funny how something you held on so tightly to can be taken away and it can feel like a sort of death. You grieve the loss of it -- not it specifically -- but the loss of the dream you were building. For a while, it just felt numb. Too much investment, for too little return. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm learning to say no more often, or at least "not right now," and allowing myself a chance to work on the things that are important to me. I can tell you that people are not generally receptive to the change, they've been spoiled by instant gratification for far too long. Too many have been allowed to take advantage of my good nature for what seems like forever. Change is hard, but ultimately it's a good thing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am so very thankful for the intrepid friends and fellow medzone warriors that I get to call my tribe. I cannot imagine this life without you. When I think of where I started, and all the mountains I've had to climb.. I cannot imagine having done it without you all. It is because of you that I can smile about some of the hardest parts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">For all that I've lost, and found this year I am grateful. Despite best efforts to thwart my progress, I am still here, still standing, and still progressing to the goal post. If I'm lucky, I'll still remember where I was going when I get there! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-72873669970719026082020-06-01T10:09:00.000-04:002020-07-31T10:10:33.436-04:00Brain droppings of another new normal.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUG9BCddk4jS0RRtPBrcSpgdN_4ffyQIbtXsiqZ16GTRQJVrqZalcFH4yxk0gdPGhF18ZLfOPESJoUHjAkpbVf5mEyQZOsnk-8XaAFXrrunnr4-SqsWSpPulDJv-fOt8wTKc0xlFIqqE/s320/new-normal+%2528Custom%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUG9BCddk4jS0RRtPBrcSpgdN_4ffyQIbtXsiqZ16GTRQJVrqZalcFH4yxk0gdPGhF18ZLfOPESJoUHjAkpbVf5mEyQZOsnk-8XaAFXrrunnr4-SqsWSpPulDJv-fOt8wTKc0xlFIqqE/s0/new-normal+%2528Custom%2529.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We had so many plans for this Summer, with and without the kids. I love having (some of) the kids here, but it comes with a great cost. <span><a name='more'></a></span>They miss their parents, and their parents miss them. Calls and video chats are not the same as being there. So many events and milestones happening in seclusion -- it's so unfair all around. </span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Having said that, the kids are too important to take such a huge risk. Hearing that it doesn't seem to affect children as much as adults is great news; but that doesn't mean that they cannot carry it to someone else. That thought is scary as hell.. we've always called the littles our 'little germ spreaders.'</span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I don't wanna imagine the thought of them inadvertently gifting it to their Nana (great-grandma) when they finally get to give her hugs after all this time. We don't need it either -- we are also considered high risk. If ever there was a time to hunker down and retreat in the cave this is it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">When this first started, I'm not gonna lie.. I'd chuckled because staying at home.. working from home.. being.. at home is my every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so tired of hearing about the "new normal" and how we're all in the same boat. Some of us are paddling way harder than others, and in some cases, the motor is missing a spark plug. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Some are having their stress and anxiety issues taxed beyond their limits. Some are experiencing levels of anxiety that they're not used to. We've lost friends and loved ones that we couldn't see. Family that usually depends on us still have expectations but now we're mandated not to do it. I cannot help but think that we're in for a HUGE mental health epidemic when this pandemic moves on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want to be the downer here, but I don't see things getting back to any kind of "normal" any time soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting in the car with the kids the other day, while my hubby got groceries I was people watching. So many people not distancing, not masking, not seeming to care. One guy ran up past everyone at close range to get to the front of the line-up. He must have gone almost shoulder to shoulder with over a dozen people on his way to the line-up. Are the 2 minutes you saved worth the risk? I don't think so..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Some would argue that we shouldn't take the kids out, we shouldn't be out and about. We have to get groceries, we have medical appointments. All of us going doesn't cost any more gas, but it's nice to get out of the house for a little while. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We even got a mask for our grandson that has the green material on the inside.. polypropeline I think she called it. He thinks it's pretty cool to have a mask. We just thought it would be good for him to have it in case he does need one. I can't put a mask on myself and not put one on the child in my care. That seems ridiculous. We can't really put a mask on the baby, but having her in her carrier (most often) or carseat with a receiving blanket over top as needed seems to do the trick. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know where this "new normal" train is heading, but I do know we'll all be a little worse for wear when we get there. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Stay safe friends, stay home! <3 </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"><br /></font>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-58794648873819532072020-04-02T14:46:00.000-04:002020-04-02T14:51:12.070-04:00WTF: On technology taking over the world or at least MY world.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few months back my husband went out and bought a Google mini to try out. He'd heard a lot about them and wanted to play-test one and see if they were worth all the hype. </span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcS_Xl3LbYw8IV26l25p_Legzi5agxAXjRJpGeM8SQ6cVwRU3_4c&usqp=CAU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WTF?! (Whotofix) - LOptimisme.pro" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcS_Xl3LbYw8IV26l25p_Legzi5agxAXjRJpGeM8SQ6cVwRU3_4c&usqp=CAU" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was during the holidays and the kids were all down. We all laughed at our eldest talking to Google and trying to trip "her" up. Even our (almost) 6-year-old grandson got in on the act once we figured out he could ask Google to "tell him a joke." We'd later learn that she could also play games, tell stories, broadcast messages from one mini to the other among a variety of other skills -- some more useful than others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There were on sale that week, so after a few days of amusement hubby went out and bought 2 more. My favourite thing to do was to have it stream a radio station or a Spotify playlist and have it play on all of the speakers so the music literally flowed through our entire house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are quite a few other great options with the system that are totally customizable. Simply saying Good morning kicks off a weather report for our area and highlights of our area news, and national news. It can also turn lights on and off (if you have the special adaptors and/or switches to facilitate that). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can set up goodnight, I'm home and a variety of other triggers too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The addition leaves us feeling rather Jetson-esque. It's great to be able to quickly refer to google without having to dig into your pocket. I don't know how many times I'd asked it to calculate this or that or look up a piece of information. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another great feature is the "where's my phone" feature. Shh. Don't tell hubby I said that's one of his most used features. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mother-in-law got an echo for Christmas so we began researching it a little more deeply to learn how to use it so we could help her learn to use it. In the following weeks, hubby would go out and get door locks to work in conjunction with this new addition. This, of course, would carry over to our house as well. It wasn't long before we had one in our living room too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was hilarious to be trying to address Alexa and having Google complain that they didn't know who we were talking to, and Alexa doing her version of the same. At least the programmers had some fun with it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Somewhere along hubby's research path he learned that the automatic door locks, thermostats and what not worked better with Alexa than they did with Google. We'd been looking at the corresponding "tablets" and weighing the worth of possibly getting one of those for the kitchen. Could be a lot of fun for looking up recipes -- E-friendly too because you wouldn't have to print it out. I wonder if you can save recipes to it though, I'll have to look into that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We discovered an interesting additional feature on Alexa this morning. Boredom got the best of me and I said, "Alexa Good morning" to which she replied good morning and informed she had a great shelf of books and that we could ask her daily what book she was reading. I went to look it up and found that they are adding new features to their system for our use and enjoyment. Aside from getting your news on demand (and hands-free!) there a wide variety of things to try. You can check them out here. </span><br />
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<a href="http://blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/alexa-and-amazon-devices-covid-19-resources" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/alexa-and-amazon-devices-covid-19-resources</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've added a couple more echos and a Show to our "family" recently and have been enjoying the getting to know you phase of this new relationship. Our grandson loves Alexa SO much because Google quite often didn't understand what he'd said and Alexa seemed to be much more forgiving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He loves that Grandpa got one for the spare room so he can lie in bed and ask Alexa to tell him jokes or tell him a story. Grandma and Grandpa have learned that being able to tell Alexa to play lullabies or play Disney music is a wonderful feature for the littles. It also has a drop-in feature so you can use it for an intercom and check on what's happening in that room (aurally not visually). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all these toys both have their great features, and we'll keep them both if only because it's amusing to hear them argue with each other when we address one or the other. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We're trying out a new topic to be featured on the blog regularly. A tongue-in-cheek "WTF," which we're using for "What Tammy Found." You may find a product review, a new website or hangout, who knows what I'll find. </b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Thanks for stopping by! </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>8i8</b></i></span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-1216597557693933002020-02-27T17:09:00.001-05:002020-02-27T17:17:22.775-05:002020: Catch-up to the Party - It's already here! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOXjrc3hC5RJetQ6s88MDONm6L1GmJK35odDv0OEyJOAFc430YA1nkIbxnIMfr-Rylo1IG4TjQvKC8sPcpgwP_1xv2kvmfudV4x0J2G-lof19M8QaYs0ePPJvW6kmYp3H2_-BNqC4o0w/s1600/32b70ebef2de22ed910dbc28474c8390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOXjrc3hC5RJetQ6s88MDONm6L1GmJK35odDv0OEyJOAFc430YA1nkIbxnIMfr-Rylo1IG4TjQvKC8sPcpgwP_1xv2kvmfudV4x0J2G-lof19M8QaYs0ePPJvW6kmYp3H2_-BNqC4o0w/s320/32b70ebef2de22ed910dbc28474c8390.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that it has been over a year since I last sat down and hammered out a blog post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's not that I haven't tried, in fact, I have many beginnings that got interrupted and never revisited. Or I'd get on a bit of a soapbox tangent, and cast it aside and when I'd return it would no longer feel relevant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A great many other updates occurred directly to social media. Often on the fly as a passenger in the car to one place or another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It seems crazy to me to think that I'd ever find myself to be too busy to do the things I love most but here we are. I've an overwhelming desire to stand out on the rooftop a number of times just to shout out "Stop the world, I wanna get off!" Oh to have a quiet day with no commitments to anyone. I forget what that is. Every time I think I have the day figured out something or someone pops up to redirect the flow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many of my regular pursuits and things in progress were left hanging on the clothesline. Now to pick each one up, dust it off and determine whether it should be sent off to the bit bucket or returned to service. It will take some time but I'll get there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankfully being in the med-zone lent me somewhat of a mandatory slow down for a while. A chance to pause, to re-group and to plot my next steps. So many plans and half-baked projects to work on. So many dreams left to fullfil. If not now -- when? has been quite prevalent on my mind. I turned 50 this year. I'm not getting any younger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We welcomed our newest grandchild to the family just a few days after my birthday. With her comes a big brother who we've only just begun to know but we love him to bits already. 2 boys and 2 girls ~ we are so very blessed. You don't know unconditional love 'til your baby's baby calls you Grandma, I swear! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was marvelling with a couple of good friends this week just how long it's been since we've all had the time -- taken the time -- to get together and just BE. When did life get so damned busy? It has been months since I got inky fingers -- you know that's a rarity around here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As kids, we were all in such a huge hurry to grow up. We'd be adults, we could do whatever we wanted. Stay up as late as we wanted, eat whatever we wanted, with no restrictions. Yeah. How did that work out for you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As parents of sometimes cranky teens, we looked forward to a day when they'd be adults and we'd just be us again. Just when we'd acclimated ourselves to what that might look like, grandbabies arrived. That's not to say I'm complaining, but rather pointing out that we always seem to want to be somewhere other than where we are. Isn't that strange? These days, I'm happy just to be in my cave, puttering around my house and not having to go anywhere. Those days are pretty rare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I spent much of the last year in preparation mode. In between the day-to-day and running around I was gearing up for a long-awaited surgery. Bi-weekly check-ins and plotting took me out of the cave a lot more than I had been used to in a very long time. Surgery brought on a variety of changes and plotting around homecare. On a plus note, I'm feeling better now than I have in a very long time. Still have a ways to go, but for the first time in a long time, there's hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've gotten to spend copious amounts of time with any variety of our kids and grandchildren. Honestly, they've been my salvation. No matter how crazy life gets, they can always make me smile -- especially those littles. My goodness!! Our little people make awesome little people. <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We're finally in the home stretch of wound care, and things are slowly beginning to get back to normal -- whatever that is -- or a reasonable facsimile. Picking up and getting back on track feels a little like sorting socks, but we're hanging in there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's to getting back to the fray! </span></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-85745540524570808992019-01-24T15:46:00.000-05:002019-01-24T21:26:34.536-05:00Celebrations and early morning ponderings.. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up bright and early this morning as teddybear had a course this morning. The house is quiet save the sound of the rippling water in the fish tank. It's been a while since the house has sounded so calm and still. Of course it could just be that I haven't been awake early enough to witness it. I can hear our birthday girl calling it stupid-o-clock and I cannot help but giggle a little bit. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToSw1Vpes9yasVAHyHOaN7KkZ6hfZjMyDzs1rC2DvJ1kYWscy2mwTk0j3vZLUzrK3Z22hhjDpoi5hKoYF7qXwTiYm_8pjcwg97pMHh_xTSZL6xwzHioaNjQpBhV9yDMEiBxNGCPhyvQg/s1600/27336356_10155855226296648_3111280899589347488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToSw1Vpes9yasVAHyHOaN7KkZ6hfZjMyDzs1rC2DvJ1kYWscy2mwTk0j3vZLUzrK3Z22hhjDpoi5hKoYF7qXwTiYm_8pjcwg97pMHh_xTSZL6xwzHioaNjQpBhV9yDMEiBxNGCPhyvQg/s1600/27336356_10155855226296648_3111280899589347488_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Caryn pictured here with baby Sasha a number of years<br />ago. Sadly Sasha passed away just this past week at the<br />age of 16. This is one of my favourite photos of<br />Caryn. </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our eldest daughter, 'Carebear' (she prefers Cayrbear), 'baby girl' turns 27 today and I can't help but notice that she is now the same age I was when I moved out here 22 years ago and became their "Teemy-Mommy," stepping into the role of custodial stepmom to a crew that was just 2, 4 and 5 at the time. Fast forward to today and our beautiful little girl is all grown up with a babe of her own -- who just happens to be the 4 years old that she was when I met her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will never forget the sweet smile of a little girl who had crawled up on my lap at her brother's birthday party whose only request </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigfH5glz8IlhzKz-nmCnhxiDJmdypzxoycqTgVfVVFY0YRDU-qZ91BF3D-VP9BbkrHC3v6-6ZuboHhtGoi6Y8-Evj3RW2uBOioYmUP-NWAJr3tjIvD_rt8zUrnDYXB76WvtFDsxaPpTw/s1600/27073121_10155855225836648_731776706730136082_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="366" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigfH5glz8IlhzKz-nmCnhxiDJmdypzxoycqTgVfVVFY0YRDU-qZ91BF3D-VP9BbkrHC3v6-6ZuboHhtGoi6Y8-Evj3RW2uBOioYmUP-NWAJr3tjIvD_rt8zUrnDYXB76WvtFDsxaPpTw/s320/27073121_10155855225836648_731776706730136082_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for her birthday was that I come back for her party in January. I remember feeling a little panicked. I had no idea how I could possibly make that work but I promised to try and for the moment that was enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I went home after that visit, I couldn't help but miss them. We'd had a lot of fun during my visit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were several conversations about how we might make another trip work. There came a point where childcare became an issue, and it was affecting employment. I'd facetiously offered to come and lend a hand. I was a little past having had ovarian cancer, and a 2nd surgery for a benign cyst. I'd been looking at courses that were wait listed and I was not really doing much at the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be honest, I was mostly being my cheeky self. We'd all been chatting on the BBS networks for some time and the offer came easily - I'd even surprised myself. I'd joked that with James working at the college I might get a discount on the courses I was after and could do them by distance Ed while watching the kids - win win for everyone. In a year or two, I'd return home and "IRL" would resume. Talking always came easy, we just meshed. I honestly never thought it would become reality, it was a thought thrown into the mix -- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a half-baked one at that, but before too long the cookies became a bakery and I was on my way. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ32gzJ8CmmSap4sB81bF77GSYDblhXiPsHrawa9IcuIX2T6Wb2G7moPR7SnAjgBQOZYcX0c3IGfasX1gJvNWobhKEtjZQKZ3qNHqGS-1pqjPmetHllHEzF_OR7sNMnKz_3gybSV-xXT8/s1600/44613888_10156549773086648_5534157728462667776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ32gzJ8CmmSap4sB81bF77GSYDblhXiPsHrawa9IcuIX2T6Wb2G7moPR7SnAjgBQOZYcX0c3IGfasX1gJvNWobhKEtjZQKZ3qNHqGS-1pqjPmetHllHEzF_OR7sNMnKz_3gybSV-xXT8/s320/44613888_10156549773086648_5534157728462667776_n.jpg" width="193" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Telling Dad would be the hardest part. He was not happy that I would leave him. My promise to come home in a year or so was met with skepticism and attitude. My sister had thrown a big fit that I couldn't leave as her birthday was coming and I had to be here to celebrate. As it happened, I booked my trip for the day after my sister's birthday to accomodate and still arrive for Caryn's birthday and as it turned out, my Dad and I spent the evening together as my sister was a no-show. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">January 22nd became known as our "Brockville Birthday" and for many years it was celebrated as the day we officially became a family, and the "Familyzoo" was born. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the day of Caryn's birthday party, sitting on my lap I'd told her that I had a special surprise for her before whispering in her ear that I wasn't going home this time. She'd squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck so tight. It is a moment I'll never forget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I never planned to come, and I certainly didn't plan to stay. For years my Dad would call me a liar because I didn't come home. I remember an early conversation with Dad telling me that this wasn't my responsibility and I could come home any time among other choice words. I'd said something about our kids and he'd informed me that I hadn't dropped them so they weren't mine. The kids all laughed their heads off when I got off the phone and one by one picked each of them up and dropped them on the floor (they were standing up at the time so they landed on their feet). I then told them they could call Grandpa Wilson so they could tell him that I had in fact dropped them all, so that was the end of that. Dad had laughed too. He told me I was nuts and I'd laughed and said "just like my Daddy!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could never have predicted that that simple request of a child would lead me here. I often wonder if that little girl knows the impact that her birthday wish has had on my life. A little leap of faith, and I was transported into a world I'd only ever seen in dreams. There were a few nightmares too, but overall I would do it again in a heartbeat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many things I'd like to think I'd do a little differently now, hindsight brings clarity to so many things, but at the end of the day we're all human -- doing the best we can until we learn a better way. There is no manual and there are many MANY days when as you close your eyes at night and everybody is still alive, you call it a win. Becoming "Teemy" was the biggest (often hardest) and most rewarding challenge of my life. I didn't always rise to the challenge gracefully, but nobody can ever say I didn't try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even through all the med-crap, and the teenager years, I always knew I had something worth fighting for. I got to come home to 3 amazing kids, and a wonderful man. It's the stuff that dreams are made of. It's not always easy, but nothing worth having ever is. I can only hope you know how much I love you all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And today, on Caryn's birthday.. I find myself thinking about where we've been and where we're going.. it has been an interesting ride to say the least. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As tough as the teenager years could be, and for all the times we quipped about eating our young, you did a great job in making it up to us when you made us Grandma and Grandpa -- no greater gift was ever given. Good luck ever topping that one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the granting of one simple wish, my life has been forever altered. I am both blessed and grateful. It was your birthday, but you gave me the biggest gift of all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Happy Birthday Caryn! Love you!! XO</i></b></span></div>
Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-21598109498639762212018-06-18T14:52:00.002-04:002018-06-18T14:52:47.339-04:00Catching up.. Plodding Forward.. Moving On.. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It seems like an eternity since I sat down to update my blogs. I know, I'd promised to do so regularly over the course of my treatment but it didn't happen as planned. </div>
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I sat down at the keyboard a few times during chemotherapy planning to write something to update everyone, but everything I wrote seemed to come out part sick of the med zone part hopeful fortune cookie and I would abandon the post in mid-stream and move onto something else. </div>
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Once I hit radiation, we were staying at the Maurice Grimes Lodge in Ottawa and for some odd reason, I could not get the Blogger site to cooperate with me for anything. I was using my husband's laptop and I might as well have been trying to crack the Caramilk Secret. </div>
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I finished my radiation at the beginning of March, and hair hard just starting coming in. I will laugh about it for some time to come because the hair was coming in dark and black and I was pretty sure the black shadow was dirt and tried for some time to scrub it off. It had been just one spot on the front of my head. It would be a few more days before more would appear and I would realize my mistake. I had 5 O'clock shadow on my head! Ah well, you have to laugh, right?</div>
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I'm a couple of months into the anti-hormone treatment and feeling a lot more like me these days. Working hard to get everything caught up and back to where it needs to be. Some days are better than others, but giving myself permission to be human helps. </div>
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I am forever grateful for a handful of close friends and family who stood by and made sure I never got to feel like I was wandering alone. I am also very grateful for a number of folks that I talk to often but have never met -- not a day went by where at least one of them (and often more) texted to see how things were going, or just check for a pulse. I'd forgotten how y'all panic when I'm not online for a few days. </div>
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This last year has been BEYOND crazy. I never imagined that I'd be celebrating 23 years post ovarian cancer by getting breast cancer. Only me, I swear. </div>
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We had no idea that the night after my first chemo treatment that we'd be sitting in the ER and saying goodbye to one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure to know. My father-in-law had been ill for some time, but we had no idea we'd lose him so soon. I can only hope he knew how much we all love him. </div>
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I keep thinking about the last conversations we had. Even as he lay in his hospital bed, he mustered the strength to ask me how I'd made out. I told him better than expected. He'd smiled and said good! before drifting back off to sleep. That's so Walter. Always thinking about someone other than himself. </div>
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He had a knack for making people feel loved and important. I was blessed to be welcomed into his crazy tribe. </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Barely a hiccup later it seemed, we were all gathered once again to say goodbye to our nephew Mikey. He was only 24. His smile was one of the brightest smiles I've ever known. He gave awesome hugs. One of the youngest of the nieces and nephews, everyone took this news hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">He leaves behind the most beautiful little girl. Too young to understand the weight of the loss she has suffered. She was so very proud of the necklace that Nana picked for her that has Daddy's thumbprint on the back. Addiction robbed her of her Daddy. Addiction robbed his whole family of a lifetime of memories. He was more than his addiction. He was loved and cherished. If only that were enough to keep him here and safe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am grateful she has so many strong role models in her corner. She'll be OK. Her circle of love will #DoItForMikey.</span></div>
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I can't help but think of my sister and her struggles and wonder what we might have done to change the outcome. Maybe something, maybe nothing but in hindsight, the stigma surrounding the situation is often worse than the situation itself. Maybe if we'd been allowed to talk about it more things would be different today. I often wander down that garden path and wonder. So many dreams and plans we made as kids that will never come to be. It's sad, but here we are. </div>
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So many tragic things happening lately, these are the things you always hear about happening to some far-away family, not us, not our friends, our family, our neighbors. It's a Small World, never seemed so close. None of us are safe, no one is immune. I guess the bottom line is that all of us are dying, nobody is getting out of here alive.</div>
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Tragedy and hard times bring us all a little closer together and really make us look at what's important. Don't forget to hug those that hold you up a little more closely whenever you can. Life's too short to forget to let people know they matter. </div>
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<b><i>Smile often, laugh when you can. Hug as many people as possible while you're here. <3 - TJW. </i></b></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-57292801942145742182018-04-24T21:11:00.001-04:002018-04-24T21:11:36.770-04:00So glad to be home at last. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix009c0RtrzE_CxEA8HzfuxJ2xvx1S2X_27Ah8sdBm1RuQnnEXf8_MoKXnAQudmH4_nQAuaYjWxEu6M7AGZbwDwHteb7WTpqcuXWj1DFWDx-xYI3pgQ8nHjYWUJlU8T77F4YM6hIlGDNA/s1600/0a3b9d417ec55e3b1cb4e63323f8bfe8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix009c0RtrzE_CxEA8HzfuxJ2xvx1S2X_27Ah8sdBm1RuQnnEXf8_MoKXnAQudmH4_nQAuaYjWxEu6M7AGZbwDwHteb7WTpqcuXWj1DFWDx-xYI3pgQ8nHjYWUJlU8T77F4YM6hIlGDNA/s320/0a3b9d417ec55e3b1cb4e63323f8bfe8.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It hardly seems like it's been 5 months since my last post, but it has. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started dozens of writings in that time that for one reason or another never got to "done." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most recently, I'd had several attempts while staying at the Lodge for radiation treatments where I couldn't get my computer to log into my blog for reasons unknown. I'd initially thought that it was because it was to one e-mail account and I'd logged in from another. I'd tried logging into it as well, and also tried logging out of everything and back into only that e-mail and that didn't solve it. I'm still befuddled on that score. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It didn't help that the laptop kept insisting on upgrading to Windows 10, which seemed to work for a short time but then after an update kept reverting back to a previous version of windows. This process would render the machine useless for hours at a time. By then I'd be on to something else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suffice it to say that my laptop and I were not besties during much of my cancer treatments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful for my teddy bear who loaned me his laptop several times so that I wouldn't be bored silly, but oddly I couldn't seem to get logged in to my blog from it either. This machine has always auto-logged me in, so it remains a mystery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much has happened since my last post. way too much to write in the space of one blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am happy to report however that I finished my last chemo treatment just prior to Christmas. My radiation treatments started at the end of January, ran through February and finished at the beginning of March. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a long haul but I'm happy to have completed those two legs of the journey. I'm just a few weeks into the hormone therapy now (anti-hormone therapy perhaps) and follow up with both oncologists in two separate appointments in May. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hair I was told would start coming back 6 months after chemo was already starting to come in as I approached the 1 month after chemo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still laughing about how I'd seen the dark mark on the front of my head and tried to wash it off. It really looked like ink transfer, perhaps dry skin or even dirt but I thought it might have come from one of the hats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Imagine my surprise a few days later when there was a large patch on top of my head and I realized that I had been trying to wash off was actually 5 O'clock shadow on my head! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's funny now, but it wasn't so funny at the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought that the medzone living would bring a slow-down, but quite the opposite. We got home and things seemed to pick up where the left off in many respects though for sure bedtime was coming up a lot sooner. It's amazing to me how tired you get when you actually let yourself stop moving for a bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In any case, It feels great to be HOME o our grandkids and kids, to our pets, and to life in general. Not that we ever truly went away -- being in Ottawa and working sure isn't the same as being in my home office. </span></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-49591792318315034722017-11-20T17:24:00.001-05:002017-11-20T17:24:06.678-05:00Let the hat parade begin...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been teasing friends and family for the last few weeks that a hat parade was coming. I don't think they believed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never been one for selfies or to take/post photos of myself. James made me promise I'd try to be a bit more diligent about journalling the journey this time around and I thought that this might be a fun thing to add.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since the news of my balding head broke out in town, friends, neighbors, and colleagues have been messaging me telling me<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> they're whipping up something, others have gone out and picked up hats.</span></span></div>
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I would be seriously remiss if I didn't share this generous outpouring of love and support.</div>
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Initially, I thought I'd do a fun Friday post, but thought that in most cases this could amuse the heck out of you on your Monday morning instead so here goes!</div>
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Today's lovely creation came to me by way of my fabulously talented friend <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1039324400&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.riddell.9?fref=mentions" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Jamie Riddell</a> who sent me an adorable photo of a cabbage patch hat a few weeks ago and said she was going to try and make it.</div>
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Not only did she make it, but she made a second hat that was so awesome that it caused great debate on which one I liked more and which would be worn first. I'm so glad I don't really have to choose. I love Love LOVE them both!!</div>
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Sadly I wasn't here when she dropped off the package, but I hope she heard my giggles and squeals when I got them inside and checked them out. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px;">:)</span></span></div>
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This one seemed like a fabulous hat for a Monday morning! <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px;"><3</span></span></div>
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Thanks so much Jamie! You Rock! <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px;"><3</span></span></div>
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PS this would have been posted much earlier but seems I haven't cleared pics from my phone in a while and it was too full to let me have it. LOL I had to do some maintenance there before I could have my own darned photo - who knew? LOL</div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-62646540984799814282017-11-19T08:14:00.000-05:002017-11-20T17:21:38.544-05:00Spread an attitude of Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know that I say it enough but I have the most amazing friends. Even when I share a partucularly goofy moment they come out in droves to show they are there to care and support me. I will never forget how fortunate I am to be here and to know so many awesome people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I attended a service yesterday for a beautiful soul taken way too soon after a lengthy battle with cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends and family spoke of her courage and spirit and caring for others despite what she was g<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">oing through. I couldn't help but smile at a kindred spirit. I will let you in on a little secret.. caring for others and keepin on is so much better than dwelling on the cloud where you're at.. she got that.</span></span></div>
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I wish I had known her instead of only knowing of her. My teddybear has a HUGE extended family! She was truly a gem.</div>
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I too will keep on putting one foot in front of the other until the planning committee tells me otherwise..and even then I will argue the point. There is still so much to be to be done and so much I wanna do .. over is not even being entertained.</div>
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Today is about getting things done and then getting into the craftroom for a while. Tonight i will have dinner with a couple of my favourite people.</div>
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Wherever you are i hope you get to spend time with someone you love. Life is too short. Don't forget to enjoy it!</div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-4402988424086081532017-10-28T15:48:00.000-04:002017-11-02T15:50:20.994-04:00When the muse knocks in you cannot ignore her. Let her in!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last week has been a whirlwind of beyond crazy. We knew that starting chemo was going to present us with some new challenges, but we had no idea what the universe had in store for us this week. I knew the chemo nurse had jinxed us when she told me to go home and rest and plan for a quiet weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went straight from chemo in Winchester to the ICU in Brockville and before we could even wrap our heads around the concept, we were saying goodbye to one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever met -- <a href="http://barclayfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2529/Walter-Lackey/obituary.html" target="_blank">my father in-law</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here we are a week later and just days after his funeral and it still doesn't feel like it is real. I keep hoping that this is another cruel joke from the universe and he is going to walk in the door Timmies in hand at any moment; but sadly, no such luck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As sick as he was, he asked me how I made out at chemo. I told him 'much better than expected' and he'd said good before closing his eyea again. I never dreamed it would be one of the very last things he would ever say to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The service was lovely; from the flowers and Legion service through to the funeral service and graveside prayers. The staff at the funeral home were so wonderful to us all. 2 of his sons and one of his grandsons paid lovely tribute to a man we were not ready to part with. Our long time friend and minister and a close family friend prepared a wonderful service. Voices of angels filled that chapel. The Ladies Aux prepared a luncheon and the branch flag flew at half mast for most of the week. A wonderful tribute to one of the most selfless and amazing people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He welcomed most everyone into his heart and family with open arms. He was a rare breed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Papa would have loved the piper. Most of all I think he would have been pleased to know that all of his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren came out to see him off and show Nana some love. He would have loved that best of all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dreamt about him the other night. It was the strangest thing. He never said a word but he had the biggest smile on his face. I joked to my hubby that if he was gonna wake me up, at least he could have said something. LOL His smile was so warm and bright. I cannot help but think that he was trying to let us know that he is OK. A number of family members have seen random signs this week. Seems like our Papa -- always making sure everyone else is ok.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit that for much of this week chemo really kicked my butt. I tried not to make a big deal of it but at the point we misplaced the bag of chemo meds and anti nausea/acid saving graces I about lost my mind! They have since been found.. misplaced in the shuffle of this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a hand full of chemo cheerleaders who called or messaged daily to see how I was doing and reminding me to get rest when I could. One of my best friends surprised me by coming out for the funeral. Her hug was one of the bigggest highlights of my week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My amazing mother inlaw had just lost her beloved soul mate and teddybear and was worrying about me. She is one of the strongest women I know. We are so very grateful that our kids and grandkids get to have her as a role model. I too am so very truly blessed to have been adopted to what my in-laws affectionately call the nuthouse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My addled brain is still percolating on the piece that the muse gave me this morning but I imagine it will end up here in the near future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up just after 2 am this morning. The chemo fog seems to have dissipated and my brain seemed to be reciting a future blog post. Try as I might I couldn't get back to sleep. It was like someone handed me the lyrics to a new song that I just had to get up and sing. I honestly cannot remember the last time that happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot get to my computer until my legs are wrapped and brace on, then realized my tablet case got left in mom's car in the shuffle. So here I am blogging on my phone which I<b><i> never</i></b> do. Do you what you gotta do, right?</span></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-27214701884211380692017-10-17T17:29:00.000-04:002017-10-17T17:29:58.158-04:00In the quietest moments..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is in the quietest moments that we remember most everything. It could be as simple as the laundry list of things you didn't get done the day before, but it can also be the time when that little voice comes out to taunt you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lately, mine's been given me hassles a-plenty. She can be a real mean little B sometimes. She knows all my faults, fears, and secrets, and she plays dirty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes she comes in the form of a familiar voice: my Dad, my mother-in-law, my teddy-bear. All too often lately, I have to admit she's right. I do NOT have to like it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week's scrutiny has been about the ever-growing plate of "stuff" and the how little of "my" stuff is staying on the plate. I can start out with a list of 10 things I personally want to get done in a day; by day's end I may have accomplished 30 things but the list of "my" things doesn't seem to have a dent in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is also that part of me that's scrambling to get things done before the weekend so I don't have to worry about it if I'm not up to taking care of it. Not surprisingly so many offers of help before the big day didn't come to fruition and we're left winging it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I keep promising myself that I'll take time out to (fill in the blank) but then the phone rings or a message comes in with something that seems more pressing than whatever I'd had in mind and the moment is gone. I really need to be more diligent about finding that me time. We've been looking at the calendar a lot lately and at all the things we're up to and involved in, and somewhere in the shuffle we've forgotten to plan downtime and recreation -- can you imagine? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am being constantly reminded by friends and family that the big C brings with it somewhat of a mandatory slow down. My arguments that I will do as much as I can for as long as I can have not been particularly well received. Even still, there's a fine line between taking some downtime and slipping into the abyss. A big part of me refuses to forget what feeling stranded was like. I don't want to revert back to a wheelchair or be stuck in bed. I am aware that my attention and focus need to shift for a bit and I'm already all over that. It will be an adjustment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been following a great group on Facebook for a while now. I try to post regularly but sometimes the muse leaves me hanging in my tea. The group is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/supportforbusinesspages/" target="_blank">Facebook support for Business</a>, and is business oriented but I have found myself also applying the concept to my personal life in that Monday motivator got me in the mindset of not only choosing a business thing to tackle each week but also got me thinking of my personal honey-do list which is equally as important. We truly do not give enough thought to self-care as we plod through our lists of things we do for everybody else every day!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week's project is going through a variety of blog drafts and blog tangents. Bloggus-interuptus you could say. The muse left mid-post or the blog went on too long. There have been a number of comments on how I haven't posted in a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have also been contacting a variety of contacts and clients, just to reconnect and regroup as needed. It's amazing the value of a "Hey, I thought about you today!" to someone's day. I've rekindled a couple of writing projects I'd been percolating in the process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm calling it a win :) </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-34715842613820290282017-08-09T11:32:00.003-04:002017-08-09T11:39:57.656-04:00Checking off Milestones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bosco</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today marks the end of a week of milestones for our family. Taking posession of our home 12 years ago (August 2nd), The 1st anniversary of Bosco's arrival to our family (August 4th), My sister-inlaw's birthday (August 6th), and today our 21st anniversary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember our 4th anniversary and waking up to tell my teddybear that he'd done what no man had ever done, and I hugged him and congratulated him for having broken my personal record of 3 years and having loved me for 4 years. He told me I was crazy, and I'd agreed. He'd met my family, I figured he'd done his homework. LOL. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is the anniversary of a day that would change my life forever in ways that I could never have imagined. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ2l2ERlyIqvmDJPHm76R5EJvoogB7d6C1OkPBiDhBngLkahSMCea2yEsvQ-BF9k5AXsWAzc6CvU-N1lcOGY1cL9qVC7_dlpDI48-QtYLFJ5Uk0DIpBbKO0WdhEwiDHBLTL2Q1lH-LYw/s1600/n621881647_271874_3679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="498" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ2l2ERlyIqvmDJPHm76R5EJvoogB7d6C1OkPBiDhBngLkahSMCea2yEsvQ-BF9k5AXsWAzc6CvU-N1lcOGY1cL9qVC7_dlpDI48-QtYLFJ5Uk0DIpBbKO0WdhEwiDHBLTL2Q1lH-LYw/s320/n621881647_271874_3679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How can it be that this was 21 years ago?</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I often joke that I finally found everything I had ever wanted, or rather HE found ME, when I'd stopped looking. Isn't that always the way? Then again for me, nothing has ever gone in the order it was supposed to. That doesn't mean that the accomplishments aren't appreciated anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In light of all the med stuff lately, I find myself thinking of all the things I'd have missed if Ovarian Cancer had won 23 years ago. I didn't think I'd be celebrating this year's milestone with breast cancer but you don't always get to pick your own 'gifts.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was chatting yesterday with a fellow I went to high school with. Wow, was it really 30 years ago? He was checking in to see if I'd be attending the reunion at the end of the month. Unfortunately that is not in the cards at this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was thinking about how somehow I'd managed to get everything I'd ever wanted upon leaving high school. I always wanted to be a mom, more than anything. Just my luck that I would connect with a man who had 3 little bears that he was happy to share with me after ovarian cancer ruined that plan for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could have done without the ex-wife, and the extended family but it certainly kept things interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I have the love of an amazing man, and we've even welcomed the prestiegious titles of Grandma and Grandpa! I'm one of the few from my high school Journalism class that's working in local media as well. Sometimes you just have to pause and think about all the great things you have achieved, and the wonderful things you have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In hindsight perhaps I should have also wished for good health. We always forget something... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I will also get the follow up after my lumpectomy. Here's hoping James is right and our anniversary will bring us luck. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Grandma and Grandpa's Pride and Joy (Adrianna <br />gets to be pride because she came first. :) </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As far as I'm concerned, either way it's all going to be OK. I have the love of a good man, and all the hugs and smiles I can handle from our grandbabies among other wonderful friends and cherished family members. There is no other option to consider. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have our grandson today and get to pick up our granddaughter this afternoon til Mommy and Daddy are done work. We are looking forward to celebrating this weekend with the Rails to Trails festival, Ribfest, as well as attending the wedding of one of the first friends I made when I moved to Brockville many moons ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now the medical sh-tuff just needs to cooperate so that our list can be fulfilled. :) </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-20600268297009158592017-07-13T16:32:00.002-04:002017-07-13T16:37:17.736-04:00The next chapter in the medzone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The last week or so has seemed like rather a whirlwind of medical appointments and plotting. I'd teased my teddybear that booking more than a couple of days off in a row would tempt the fates and he'd laughed. It never fails, every time we plan to do something for ourselves, something gets royally screwed up! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'd been adamant about laying the groundwork for possible surgery "just in case," so that I wouldn't get caught off guard again like we did last time. I don't want to give anyone else a chance to say, "You're lucky to be alive -- we almost lost you back there!" EVER again!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the midst of the back and forth, and the referral-go-around, we had occasion to meet a doctor who assumed that we were just another case of playing the blame game. We did our best to be patient as I'm sure he gets a lot of those cases, but I -- we -- were not one of those. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am grateful that he settled down and started listening. As a result, we have the first ray of light in a dark dark tunnel that has spanned the last 9 years since my gastric bypass. He arranged an endoscopy that found a blockage that he was able to fix. I've been over the moon that there have been no issues eating since then. I am always gobsmacked at the things some have to endure that others take for granted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the midst of all of this active crazy, I'd found a lump. In the days that followed, I'd have a clinic appointment, a mammogram, a follow up ultrasound and then a biopsy all in the space of about a week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be fair, to go from sore boob to 2.5 cms of mass in the space of about 6 weeks or so is cause for alarm. I do think the meds they gave me to keep the ovarian cyst at bay might be to blame but what do I know -- I'm just the guinea pig! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They'd all been in such a big hurry to move things along that I wasn't too surprised when the dreaded news arrived. The nurse was apologetic and kept asking if I was OK. I'd said I was, thanked her and got off the phone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The words "you have malignant breast cancer," were still ringing in my ears when my hubby came in and I'd told him. I made a couple of critical notifications but made the decision to not post anything on social media until all 3 of our kids had been told in person. I didn't want to take the chance that someone would open their mouths and blab. I know how innocently that can come about but the damage would have been irreparable. They deserve so much better than that, I wasn't going to do that to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As of yesterday all 3 of our kids know. They are strong, they all took it better than we thought they might. I got a giggle when I told each of them that I wasn't done my job of "pissing them off" yet, so not to worry, I wasn't going anywhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Years ago I'd done chemo, this time around will be very different being radiation. I am assured that I won't lose my hair this time. That's a relief! I really didn't rock that look very well last time around. This time surgery will be day surgery -- that blows my mind! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">HELL NO, I WON'T GO!! I have so much I've conquered, and so much left that I want to do, I cannot believe that this is how the story ends. I've worked far too hard to get to where I am today, both personally and healthwise -- I refuse to accept that there's any other option but a full recovery -- particularly in light of this new surgeon telling me he's confident he can fix the hernia and remove the ovarian cyst when this is all behind me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can hear a few long-time friends laughing. I'd private messaged a few family members and close friends this week, a handful of which went through this ride with me the last time around. I knew I could count on them to remind me of how awesome they are. Tom thought I should take Lisa up on the graffitti this time, and suggested red and green would be festive. (I know Vaughnette would just LOVE that!!) My Pumpkin crew were probably the quickest to answer, sending love and encouragement. I found myself remembering all the late night coffee outtings from the BC Cancer Agency during my chemo treatments. It is true what they say, all you need is a few good friends - I have been blessed with more than a few! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had a few weird conversations with folks ordering me to rest, or nap or ordering me to stay positive. Some were mad because I wasn't upset enough or I didn't have all the answers to their questions. None of that sh-tuff will be known til after surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other surgeon chastised me for calling this a bump in the road, but as I told him this is just another bump in a very long and winding road of medical crap and survival. Nothing seems horrible when you compare it to the year I spent in hospital bedridden. I am not worried about surgery. I'm thinking ahead to the things I don't know - the radiation, my restrictions, my recovery time... I hate the not knowing. Just a few more days to go. I have surgery next week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was cheerleading about how I will celebrate 23 years in September since my ovarian cancer diagnosis and how I want to do something special for 25. I had no plans of adding a "new friend" to the line up. I think the planning chair and I need to have a serious chat! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In any case, friends - rest assured - I may have breast cancer, but it will NEVER have me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I may be moving and typing a little slower in the weeks to come, but this chatterbox will never be silenced. I'm not done yet! She who holds the pen, writes the story -- and I'm not letting go of the damned pen! </span></div>
Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-41261726733020037292017-06-20T21:43:00.001-04:002017-06-20T21:43:21.434-04:00Sometimes it's perfectly OK to be unplugged for a few days..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span data-offset-key="4jgd8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">This might just be the first year that I didn't get online to post something for Father's day, and for my father-inlaw's bday. Kids came down for a few days and we were too busy enjoying them that my keyboard didn't get any airplay whatsoever. </span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="cfc84-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">For those who know me best, that's rare. I'm still giggling about a few friends who texted to make sure I was alive.. :) </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1tlco-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">First mammogram Thursday - no news yet (for those who were asking) but the doc wants a better look at the lump and they called yesterday to book a follow-up ultrasound. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="880ue-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Endoscopy Friday to do some homework. After literally years of head patting, they found a stricture and were able to fix it. Looking forward to the chat at follow up next week from the doctor who gave me the whole "full of shit" speech at our in-take appointment. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d742l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3aobi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I came out after and told James what I'd been told and my loving teddybear didn't miss a beat and popped up with, "Am I still full of shit now asshole?" I couldn't help but laugh. To be fair, once he realized that we weren't coming back looking for a refund on the experience he had settled down and begun to listen and everything changed at that point. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ah6pg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="194v8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">He came in to the OR clipboard in hand and said so we're gonna have a look and see what can be done about reconstructing your stomach. I said that would be lovely! He said well then let's get on with it shall we? before handing me the consent form. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eo1n7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>((Yays!!)</i></b></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5pec5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="40umb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="40umb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My fabulous father-in-law hit lucky double digits in that he's hit the double-lucky 77 this year. Here's hoping some of that luck will last him all year long. Love you Papa! I will be forever grateful for my acceptance to your tribe. <3 </span><span class="_247o" data-offset-key="40umb-1-0" spellcheck="false" style="background-color: #dce6f8; font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="40umb-1-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">Walter Lackey</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="40umb-2-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="587rk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c2hp2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">As for my own Dad, nearly 5 years and it still doesn't feel like he's really gone. Maybe on vacation somehwere. A weird part of me occasionally thinks that the phone might ring and he'll be on it claiming to be my pain in the ass and sharing that sarcastic giggle I never thought I'd miss. </span></div>
</div>
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<span data-offset-key="jauj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="38c01-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="38c01-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We looked everywhere to find a squirrel for the garden as we have each year since he's left us but came up empty. I was thrilled to find a bright blue bird feeder to put out front for the birds and squirrels (real or imagined) instead. Dad would have loved that. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3ilcv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Wherever you are today, make it a good day. :) </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="92dni-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">There is some road running plotted for today, many phone calls, and copious amounts of catch up. Stay tuned. :) </span></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-1148008139721971872017-05-18T07:30:00.000-04:002017-06-11T18:49:34.674-04:00An unexpected trip to London and a fabulous weekend!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="color: #4b4f56;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How
awesome is it that it's Thursday, and I'm still pumped after a fabulous
weekend?</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM7bgaHBpodK_JYVlSmzprKWPvlAFG3nSo6WOAiv8EJyDMPLggrQSil_3FGFaVyaj6s984MTsajJbwhn9JnTvrpLhFCDMghZeDjMh9EnMqkJy4_hnQrtY7XBSoJe-Kml6oybF1HvnodQ/s1600/Gan+Conv+Dist+G+Parade.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="982" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM7bgaHBpodK_JYVlSmzprKWPvlAFG3nSo6WOAiv8EJyDMPLggrQSil_3FGFaVyaj6s984MTsajJbwhn9JnTvrpLhFCDMghZeDjMh9EnMqkJy4_hnQrtY7XBSoJe-Kml6oybF1HvnodQ/s320/Gan+Conv+Dist+G+Parade.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;">The District "G" Portion of the Convention Parade. My teddybear is carrying our branch flag. </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #4b4f56;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">What
we thought was going to be a weekend comprised largely of meetings and a
"work" type atmosphere turned out to be so much different than I had
imagined. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'd
jumped at the chance to attend the Legion Zone Convention in Gananoque just a
few weeks before and I hadn't even considered adventuring to London for
Provincial Convention. Part not wanting to push my luck having just gotten back from what we'd been
calling the closest thing to a vacation we'd seen in quite a long time, and
partly logistics. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had
been chatting with fellow comrades who were encouraging us to go, and so I promised to bug my teddy bear. Much to my surprise, he had already been
thinking about it and had started the wheels in motion. We often joke that this is one of the perks
of having been together so long. We
often find ourselves in synch when we haven't actually vocalized our "evil
plans."</span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">A
bigger bonus was that my cousin Tom was to be the Dominion guest speaker.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I was pretty happy that I would get to be
present for that.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I didn't know he would
also do the new officer installations but I probably should have guessed.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I got to get some pretty fabulous photos for
the family album as well -- Scrapbooker for the win! As is the norm, I'm way behind on getting the bulk of them posted, but they'll arrive on a Facebook page near you soon. :) </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
thought it was pretty fabulous that a son of my Dad's eldest brother and I, a
daughter of the youngest brother would be together at the same convention
talking "shop." I wonder what
our Dads would have thought about that. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was
the longest road trip I've been on in a while, clocking in almost 6 hours by
the time we got through Toronto. It's
been a very long time since these poor legs felt like they'd been fashioned
into pretzels. Days later, my knees and
legs still haven't recovered but it was so worth it -- I'd do it again in a
heartbeat! </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
weekend was an opportunity to meet a number of faces to go along with names we
already knew as well as a chance to connect with people we talk to regularly
but don't always get to see. I also made
a number of new connections and a few new friends. I really enjoyed the chance to network with
other Legionnaires from a variety of experience levels. I came home re-energized and ready for the
new term. For once I felt like I had more answers than questions, though my
convention book margin notes remind me I still have much to learn. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm
still giggling at just how very different some folks are out of uniform than
they are in uniform. My first Provincial
convention I witnessed a new induction for a couple of fellows to something
called the Order of the Thong, in the middle of a meeting of the Pink
Ladies. No, I wasn't drunk, nor did I
imagine any of it. Colour me
amused. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I even
won a $100 Walmart gift card from one of the vendors on site! </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I
really enjoyed the presentation by Invictus Games Co-Captain Natacha Dupuis (Retired Master Cpl.,
who shared her story and talked about what the opportunity to once again
represent her country means to her. I'd
read about the games last year but hadn't really followed them. After this presentation, I don't think I'll
ever look at them the same way again.
CTV London interviewed her as part of the Convention coverage, check it
out </span><a href="http://london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1123359&binId=1.1137796&playlistPageNum=1#_gus&_gucid=&_gup=Facebook&_gsc=KLh8dgM" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">.</span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5_G5Iy5C32d-qOLKvgY7w4BC7z_zLk6Kz1_BJrCo-XnYJZqYRs7H9ztJcQXotlP5peS9tIDz21iKMUPLvzqy9SQyj9nnyDWMG5Nm70OJcZLDpEdSxbUmpTpE4zcZZUSHS1fJERPH71M/s1600/DSC_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5_G5Iy5C32d-qOLKvgY7w4BC7z_zLk6Kz1_BJrCo-XnYJZqYRs7H9ztJcQXotlP5peS9tIDz21iKMUPLvzqy9SQyj9nnyDWMG5Nm70OJcZLDpEdSxbUmpTpE4zcZZUSHS1fJERPH71M/s320/DSC_2435.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maj. Mark Bossi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
also had the opportunity to reconnect with a presenter we'd seen at the
Gananoque Convention. Major Bossi had
given such a captivating presentation on the OSI (Operational Stress Injury)
Program. It was one of the best presentations I've ever seen -- we were
thrilled to bump into him again. He did
speak at this convention as well, but it was a much more condensed
version. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even
though I was an Observer not a Delegate (meaning I didn't get to participate in
the vote) being there still made you feel like you were part of the
process. It was SO much better than
reading the reports (or having them read to you) after the fact. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This
year the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command elected its' <a href="http://london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1126031&binId=1.1137796&playlistPageNum=1" target="_blank">very first female President</a> on this the 50th convention. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0AReyjIPfi1dZ0OjjjK0Gcm1xHy7CCJCEFKgCrvUAZFvwj5-c8oIRdN52AcSzyAASmLk4qn8DzvPSUFFyxvfU-CKXX3jrZesFAlGgfx_A8GN9Q1GXOYUyroxpQiQoxCxHC9vZQtfpAQ/s1600/DSC_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0AReyjIPfi1dZ0OjjjK0Gcm1xHy7CCJCEFKgCrvUAZFvwj5-c8oIRdN52AcSzyAASmLk4qn8DzvPSUFFyxvfU-CKXX3jrZesFAlGgfx_A8GN9Q1GXOYUyroxpQiQoxCxHC9vZQtfpAQ/s320/DSC_2516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Sharon McKeown, President of Ontario Command</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I found myself listening to how she'd come to be a member of the Legion and smiling to myself as it was my Dad that got me involved too. I found myself wondering what I'd say if I eventually had the opportunity to share my "why." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">We met
the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veteran's Affairs outside our hotel
Friday evening and then caught up with him again the following day and were
able to get photos with him. James
teased me that I'd gotten a new photo for my "collection" that I
hadn't needed my media credentials to get.
Smartipants.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvufGeY4CqVsEGxD-w0AdDZlwTwdEEUzXFM_Cj0uE2KAd1PtKY-vIWOBnyv-2uU_ruY9zNkA35bWmxceXA7OBcMB534o0bcxPMZ_w9dvA_jB56nhUt4YSKIUzJPsDpfRjTzuL8vmBSpU/s1600/DSC_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvufGeY4CqVsEGxD-w0AdDZlwTwdEEUzXFM_Cj0uE2KAd1PtKY-vIWOBnyv-2uU_ruY9zNkA35bWmxceXA7OBcMB534o0bcxPMZ_w9dvA_jB56nhUt4YSKIUzJPsDpfRjTzuL8vmBSpU/s320/DSC_2354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;">James Edwards, Secretary Branch 105 (and my teddybear) pictured with the Hon. Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Tom Irvine, Dominion 1st Vice President (and my cousin) at Provincial Convention in Londaon Ontario.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm
always amazed when I meet one of those "larger than life" people that
you've only ever seen from afar and you realize that they're people too. He couldn't have been more personable or
friendly. I spent some time chatting
with his photographer as well. </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was
offered a new project this weekend as well, but that's another blog. I'll wait until we have our meeting in a
couple of weeks and I know more about what I'm getting myself into before I
start making noise about that. Just know
I am quite excited about the opportunity!! </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now we
set our sights ahead to Dominion Convention 2018 in which Tom will be invested
as Dominion President. Come Hell or high
water, I definitely want to be there! </span></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's
blog comes with a very hearty thank you to 3 fabulous comrades who I am proud
to hold among my family and friends.
Your constant encouragement and support despite many newbie questions
and sometimes hair-brained ideas is precious to me. Your patience has been so very
appreciated. <3 </span></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #4b4f56; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-88482384807950382812017-04-21T11:13:00.001-04:002017-04-21T11:13:45.539-04:00Remind me not to blink as I fast forward 4 more years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A message popped up in the reminders on my Facebook page this morning from 4 years ago and I couldn't help but take pause at the realization that 4 years had gone by since I wrote it. </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It had been written in the hangover of my Dad's passing, and a whack of family drama. I'm always amazed at how much unnecessary crap people can create at the most inopportune of times. Never surprised, but always amazed. </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd started out thanking a few close friends and family who stood by me through the year gone by. It was one of the worst of my life. The only thing that carried me through was that feeling that I wasn't as alone as I felt. I am so grateful to have had my beloved James with me and that his boss was willing to let him take extended leave to be with me. I could never have gone otherwise. </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from the obvious leg-wrapping and care issues, I honestly don't think I'd have survived any of it without him. He's pretty modest about it all, of course, but I cannot forget the daily leg wraps, the gall bladder drain tube I was sporting at the time waiting on a surgery date, and the pure logistics of everything. His sunny disposition and whole "you'd do it for me" attitude still makes me smile. He is my energizer bunny, and he keeps me going. (Often quite literally). </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calling up friends I'd known for years, but hadn't seen in a long time to tackle a variety of tasks while we were ut there was a true testament to good friends always being able to jump back in to place right where they left off. I'd forgotten how huggy our bunch was. I'd missed them so very much. </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a plus note, I got to "show off" my teddybear and dispel the myth that such an awesome guy really did exist, and that after all the misteps they'd witnessed in the past that this girl had finally gotten it right.. always nice to get to find at least a little bright side :) </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0"><img alt="Image may contain: one or more people and text" src="https://scontent.fyyz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/375864_10151582185901648_470968258_n.jpg?oh=0300d960ab7b004876e47ecb13df9762&oe=59795F33" /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'd actually written a long post on my Facebook page about it: </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3lqpo-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still can't wrap my head around this message being 4 years old. I could have written it just yesterday (except for the thanks to fabulous friends). </span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d772r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="d772r-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="dqh2q-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dqh2q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="dqh2q-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember being 10 and 11 and having Dad go through his ritual of showing me where he kept his wallet, his coins and among other important things like making me memorize his SIN number, and DVN #'s. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="4f8a5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4f8a5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4f8a5-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="2mmkb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2mmkb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2mmkb-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately this ritual always seemed to take place in a flurry of tonight's the night I'm going to die and often after a night of drinking with friends so I'd always thought he was trying to make me crazy. I never really appreciated the "lesson" he was trying to convey. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="9q6mb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9q6mb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="9q6mb-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="9ode4-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9ode4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="9ode4-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On more than one occasion I was furious with him for even suggesting that he would leave us too, leaving us with no parents. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="bfbe5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bfbe5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="bfbe5-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="76clu-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="76clu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="76clu-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He, on the otherhand, was so determined to make sure that in the event of the inevitable I'd be ready -- I'd be OK. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="5kh2n-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5kh2n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5kh2n-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="2vobb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2vobb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2vobb-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No matter how ready you are, however, it is impossible to say goodbye to someone who has been such an integral part of your life forEVER. I still find myself talking to him on occasion and wondering what he['d think of this or that. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="dtn1g-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dtn1g-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="dtn1g-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="f0bc7-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f0bc7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="f0bc7-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I imagine him up there above the clouds somewhere laughing and shaking his head at me.. but it's all his fault. He's the one that gave me the warped sense of humour. </span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="20h1t-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="20h1t-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="159aq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="159aq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="159aq-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hard to explain that he's gone, but he's he's still that inner voice in my head that never goes away. I stll hear him giving me advice, and hear his wit and wisdom coming back to me often when I least expect it. He's here.. but he's not here.. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="6b7eb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6b7eb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="6b7eb-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="ebac7-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ebac7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="ebac7-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad used to talk about missing his parents, people I didn't really remember. I didn't get it then, but I do now. I never thought I could miss one person so much. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="crjq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="crjq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="crjq-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="67d3p" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1intv-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to believe we'll see each other again some day Dad. </span></span><span data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>When Dad passed, people told me that time would heal all wounds. That in time, it wouldn't hurt any more. To put it simply, PEOPLE, are generally full of shit. </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Today marks 4 years since that post, and this December will mark 5 years since his passing. I can't say that time has fixed anything. </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>If anything it has only served to make me sadder. I still miss Dad. The family drama caused irreparable damage that has no repair manual. Sadly at least one of the participants has also passed. </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Beyond the hurt and angry, lives a broken heart that may never heal. I'd heard stories of vultures in the wake of such events, but the experience was beyond my wildest expectations. People so focussed on gossip and stuff that couldn't be bothered to realize that in the midst of all of the responsibility that had been left on my shoulders, that above all I'd lost my Dad too. </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger (or so they say). Where are those damned zombies hiding anyways?</b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time! </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>-T. </b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1intv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-19376772400605000542017-03-09T15:38:00.002-05:002017-03-09T17:50:33.164-05:00He's Coming Out - Oh to be Happy and Gay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4HexxUc1_eogzF6dd2OT1-2XGoCFcB6Mt6fJcDcnSNerB2XXl3JvA7VdKxSi_eGqHFDh5fIOm8w-8_6R_67QSGbVdBdahtAOM3UYAMwfe17-C7BNPbatzMIOK-YNDRlSyospSOq5qsY/s1600/Eric+Duncan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4HexxUc1_eogzF6dd2OT1-2XGoCFcB6Mt6fJcDcnSNerB2XXl3JvA7VdKxSi_eGqHFDh5fIOm8w-8_6R_67QSGbVdBdahtAOM3UYAMwfe17-C7BNPbatzMIOK-YNDRlSyospSOq5qsY/s320/Eric+Duncan.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan Announces he is Gay </i></b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The announcement was
posted to LinkedIn, though the actual post was in the fashion of a guest blog
post on <a href="http://bronzeandgoldblog.ca/">bronzeandgoldblog.ca</a>. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have to admit, I'm
torn. When the story first hit my
newsfeed my initial reaction was something of an 'attaboy!' for being so brave
and bold to put himself out there and call a spade a spade, as it were. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sharing an announcement of something so personal must require an awful lot of conviction and confidence as well as at a
little bit of resilience to not be concerned about whatever crap festival might
return to you. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many nosy,
judgmental people out there that somehow believe they have a right and say in
how you live your life.. It is one of my
biggest pet peeves, but I digress... </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another part of me
however, wondered why this announcement was being so wildly latched onto. It's
been ripping up my feeds all day. So he
likes men? So do millions of other people
~ <b><i>BIG DEAL</i></b>. Would we react the same if
he'd announced that he preferred brunettes over redheads? Probably not. Now, tell me that his boyfriend or husband
has an interesting hobby or habit and then perhaps we'll have a story to talk
about (Chuckles). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While it might be
news to some, being gay certainly isn't new.
Not by a long-shot. The fact that
awareness has grown significantly and people are talking about it more doesn't mean
that it's any of your (or my) business.
Though that might just be me. I've always been a firm believer that so
long as nobody is getting hurt and you're all consenting adults, what goes on
in your bedroom is nobody's business but yours and the other(s) involved. As it should be. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember joking
with a friend long ago after a break-up, when a friend of mine had asked me to
hook him up with my ex. We'd both
laughed and laughed. We just knew that
wouldn't go over well. I remember
someone asking me if I was homophobic and being the cheeky gal I am I'd quipped
on something to the effect of not being able to fault the guy for liking the
same things I did. It's all about
perspective, right? </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be honest, I've
never really thought about it in depth. Friends introduce their husband, wife,
spouse, girlfriend, pet.. and it's all good.
My friends didn't pick out *my* spouse, and I'm not going to trade him in
based on their commentary, so why shouldn't that work in reverse? It's all about being happy and content in
your own bubble, isn't it? </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I guess it shouldn't
be such a big surprise, we can't get through a single day without hearing about
one celebrity or another who has made up, broken up, or freaked out with some
kind of outlandish behavior. With so
many important things going on in the world,
who really cares how many boyfriends "Actress X" has had, or
who saw "Singer Y" with what perceived floosy. Life's too short, change the channel please. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eric Duncan's
announcement doesn't take away from the many accomplishments he has made in his
life and career. To be elected to
council at 19, and go on to being Mayor at 22 having defeated the incumbent
two-term mayor with a whopping 72% of the vote.
He went on to become the youngest warden in SD&G's 162 year
history. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He was born at
Winchester Hospital and has lived in North Dundas his entire life. He'd later
purchase his first home in Winchester. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He currently serves
as Mayor for the Township of North Dundas, and served two terms as Warden of
the United Counties of SD&G. <a href="http://ericduncan.ca/about/" target="_blank">His resume </a>shows a dedication that seems rare these days. He is an active volunteer in his community. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On a personal note
Eric was born in 1987, I was a senior in high school. Here we are 30 years later and I know many
folks that I grew up with that haven't achieved a single one of the things we'd
set out to do upon leaving high school. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I may be the odd
duck out, but I believe that it is these are stories and accomplishments that we ought to be talking about. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read somewhere
this week that this was to be Eric's last year as Mayor. I don't know what the future holds for him,
but you can bet it will be filled with determination and enthusiasm. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Our world could use
a whole lot more of that. </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-87105885723466910242017-03-03T13:06:00.000-05:002017-03-03T13:06:01.926-05:00Opportunity Knocks - March 3rd, 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKZguhGfeQXmE8UDDljh3soND-6GnCjshLof_HFtwCnIehieW7l3ilRY8Gyzxk0Awlsu81au6B2tw8gu7n5RFFUlc00PAMSayq0RNL3ft0jVwIqCO-4Nkj5pQE18U_D8DzzUFkHPRFko/s1600/EON+Opportunity+Knocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKZguhGfeQXmE8UDDljh3soND-6GnCjshLof_HFtwCnIehieW7l3ilRY8Gyzxk0Awlsu81au6B2tw8gu7n5RFFUlc00PAMSayq0RNL3ft0jVwIqCO-4Nkj5pQE18U_D8DzzUFkHPRFko/s320/EON+Opportunity+Knocks.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Opportunity knocks is a regular helping of area opportunities to volunteer time, donate tangible items or otherwise serve to better the communities we live in. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share my column with friends and colleagues, who has submitted an item for inclusion, or has sent a message to comment on the project. I appreciate the support! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do you have an opportunity that you'd like to share? Please send it to me at <a href="mailto:tammy.dcemediaproductions@gmail.com">tammy.dcemediaproductions@gmail.com</a>. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i> ~ Tammy </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Brockville - The Brockville Y </i>is accepting nominations for its board of directors. Nominations will be accepted until March 31st, 2017. For more info: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">http://</span><a href="https://lnkd.in/dzMd_XY" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/dzMd_XY</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Brockville - Kingston </i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The</i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> Kingston/1000 Island Crimestoppers </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seek volunteers to join their 2017 board. <a href="http://www.hometowntv12.ca/news/local-news/south-grenville/kingston-1000-islands-crime-stoppers-seeks-volunteers/" target="_blank">Click for more info.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d;">Please contact us at </span><a href="tel:(613)%20340-0948" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2d2d2d; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">613-340-0948</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d;"> or email your resume to Kingston Police </span><a href="mailto:agutheinz@kpf.ca">agutheinz@kpf.ca</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d;"> or Chairman of the board </span><a href="mailto:j.a.oliveira71@gmail.com">j.a.oliveira71@gmail.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Cardinal - The Cardinal Legion </i>seeks volunteers for a variety of tasks, and events. Students welcome! Contact rcl.br105@gmail.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Prescott - Cardinal - Spencerville - The Food for All Food Bank </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is seeking Volunteers. Did you know that high school students can volunteer to get their 40 hours of community service required for graduation? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Students may assist in stocking shelves, making posters, assisting with fundraising events, and interacting with the community. We always need volunteers, so come on down and get started today! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Smiths Falls - </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Town of Smiths Falls</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seeks volunteer firefighters. <a href="http://www.hometowntv12.ca/featured/town-of-smiths-falls-seeks-volunteer-firefighters/" target="_blank">More info.</a></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry: Victim Services of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is seeking volunteers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you looking to gain some hands-on experience in dealing with crisis situations and want to make a difference in the life of someone who has been affected by a crime or a tragedy? Volunteer with us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Call 613-938-8900 for more info or e-mail <a href="mailto:info@vsv-sdga.ca">info@vsv-sdga.ca</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Thought for the day: </i></b></span></div>
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-58763816588349879242017-03-01T16:49:00.000-05:002017-03-01T16:54:37.223-05:00It's all fun and games til the fish swim out of the tank! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today would be a bittersweet day, I'd told myself going into Tuesday morning. After all, we'd over done it walking Monday, and had the appointment at the cancer clinic so we were tired - not the best start - but today would have been Dad's birthday. That alone overshadows almost everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All things being relatively equal I really didn't have high hopes for a great day, but I wasn't plotting for a bad one either. If the day passed quietly, I'd have been just fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apparently this was not to be the case. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd planned to do something special to mark the day, but here we were and I'd still come up empty as to what I wanted to do. I'd thought about planting something in the garden but it's still too darned cold. I'd given consideration to getting another squirrel or two for the garden paying homage to his love of feeding his "little buddies" but I just haven't seen any yet. I am at a loss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My hubby was barely out the door when the phone started ringing and as I collected my things to get into the box and on with the day I noticed a puddle on the floor. As I muttered to myself about how the darned dog had just been outside and didn't need to pee in the house (yet again) as I went to get the mop, I noticed a small leak on our fish tank dripping onto our hard wood floor. Okay puppy, you get a pass this time.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seems our prolific gaggle of guppies have been rather rowdy lately and the caulking has let go in a couple of spots. OH whatta mess!! 35 gallons is a lot of water to be puddling out onto the floor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So so grateful that hubby was able to turn around and come back home. I don't even want to think about how that might have gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turns out our spare tank has a leak after being stored in the garage for a couple of years. Yeah it's been that kinda week (so far). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oddly enough I heard my Dad's laughter when we were in the thick of it yesterday. I blame/credit him for my warped sense of humor. He'd have been amused by the thought of us chasing the waterfall and bailing fish. He'd likely remind me of the time my sister was bouncing on a chair next to the fish tank and her head went through it. We were walking on towels for days and picking up dead fish all over the rec room. Ah childhood memories.. LOL </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read somewhere the other day that the way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice. I believe it. For years, I've heard my Dad's voice in my head giving me advice, scolding me, telling me what I should be doing.. see? I'm not crazy! Well maybe just a little.. <Grin> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My little sister texted me this morning to wish me Happy Dad's birthday. Though we both agree it doesn't seem so happy without him here. I have to wonder if he knew how much we'd miss him.. warped bits and all. <3 </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-1485833488439480942017-02-23T13:04:00.000-05:002017-02-23T13:04:31.999-05:00Before you start to judge.. Should you really?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend posted this graphic on his Facebook page this morning and it got me thinking. Let us pause on that for a moment..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<img src="https://scontent.fyyz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/16864283_1233973020029703_8780081568105357681_n.jpg?oh=4c8bd76b51c0843109e29304062933c7&oe=5931D59D" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its message is pretty clear, and if I might say so -- it was bang-on! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began to think of many of my interactions over the last several weeks. Comments made to me pertaining to one friend or another that came across as almost a test to see if I'd divulge some other 'secret' I might know. That always makes me laugh - That's never really been my scene. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having said that, I have to wonder when people got to being so damned judgy. So many that haven't got the foggiest idea of what's going on but fill in the blanks with assumptions and half-baked ideas that couldn't be further from the truth. I know they tell us that it says far more about the person than it does us -- but at the time that's never an easy pill to swallow. I've heard some rather interesting stories about myself over the years. Who I've been with and things I've done.. and I just have to laugh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A good friend was fond of saying well, as long as they're picking on me they're leaving someone else alone. I always thought that was a good way to look at it. Though I've been known to offer to dig out an old quad-cane on occasion as a mechanism to maintain order and peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the grand scheme of things there are several groups of people in each of our circles. They are those who know little to nothing, those that know a little, and those that know a lot -- in most circles there are very few that know absolutely everything there is to know. That level of trust is pretty rare -- as it should be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even with the addition of Facebook and the "TMI" generation, how much do we really know? That too comes in degrees. There are those that post as it is, fully and completely almost down to the minute play by plays and others who only post the sunny side up "stuffs." More still use it for a platform to rant the rant, and rile everybody up. I have heard it said more and more often lately that the biggest smiles hide the largest tears. We cannot assume that what we're seeing is all there is to know.. or even that it's to be accepted as gospel.. that's just not reality. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd been talking with a lady a few weeks back and I'd said something about growing up with a single Dad, and the woman was bowled over and beside herself that she'd known me for so many years and I'd never told her. She thought I was ashamed of not having had my mother as a regular force in my life and was quite offended that I hadn't shared this significant detail in my life. Honestly, I hadn't really thought about it. I remember a period in my teens where I'd tell people my mother was dead just to stifle those sorts of questions because it was so much easier to deal with that glance of pity and have them look away (and leave me alone) than deal with all the questions that I had no answers for anyhow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some things come up in conversation depending on who you're chatting with. Who I lived with when I was growing up 30 odd years ago just wasn't one of them with this particular person. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Truth be told, who I lived with (or didn't live with) from the ages of 10 - 16 hardly seems to be relavent to me now as a wife, mom (stepmom) and best of all Grandma. I certainly don't dwell on it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some things are bigger than others. Up until recently I only wore long pants that covered my leg wraps, and later my leg brace. I had someone see me out walking with my cane that questioned why I needed it. They were flabbergasted when I told them, and especially when I detailed just how I ended up this way. The life of the guinea pig conversations only really come out in detail in certain circles and even then it comes in varying degrees too. All in all, at this point I consider myself pretty lucky to be here and I try not to dwell in that "other stuff." The bad days come and go, and they serve to make those good days feel more awesome. You learn to roll with it, but nobody is obligated to give anyone a play by play - this isn't a show and nobody is selling tickets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a couple of examples but there are many. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life's like that though isn't it? You can have 10 friends in a room and I would be that every one of them could name one thing about you and there would be someone in that group that wouldn't have known. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of us think we know our closest friends and colleagues, but in many cases we've barely scratched the surface. Just a little food for thought.. chew on it :) </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-83639535454513588242017-01-23T10:33:00.000-05:002017-01-23T10:33:08.170-05:0039 - 9 - 20 Milestones to Cherish <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past weekend was full of milestones. Oddly, I went into the weekend thinking about how and what I'd write about it but then the weekend got here and I didn't feel much like wriitng. <i>Ok, you can pick your chins up off the desk now.. (and I bet that some of you can hear me chuckling behind my screen too.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Saturday January 21st,</b> brought a couple of very significant milestones. 39 years ago my little sister was born. In my mind's eye she's not so "old".. and being 8 years her senior I have to wonder when I too, got old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In more recent news, this day was also the 9 year anniversary of my gastric bypass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more I think about it, the more my head spins. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going in knowing that if I do it, I might die, but if I don't do it, I will absolutely die. They didn't think I'd see another 5 years. This usually leads me to ruminating on the long list of things I'd have missed had I not been here. I try not to dwell on the year spent in hospital, and the following year spent convalescing and getting back on my feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can hear at least one cheeky friend laughing as he asks if I'm not here would I even know I missed anything? Not surprisingly, it's the warped and sarcastic among us that have kept me going. Those who never looked at me with sadness and pity, but instead encouraged me to take my hospital bed and wheelchair for races down the hall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad was fond of telling me to get off my ass and get home, that my family needed me. He's always add that if I didn't hurry up that James would find another wife to replace me. Dad was always a big fan of using anger as a motivator. I came to tease James that Dad loved him more than me, and I was not living up to my duties as his wife. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lovelies who kept me going from Nurse Liz and her mobile mcgyver spa, to the nurses and PSW's who became my extended family. So many who made an extra effort to brighten our days. I can only hope that they know what a difference they made. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even after all this time, I think of the kids and how all of the medzone drama affected them. How differently things might be today had none it happened. I have to believe that we are all stronger for the things we've had to endure. Otherwise, what's the point?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday, January 22nd </b>marked another monumental day in the world of me. 20 years ago on this day I moved to Ontario from Vancouver. I always tell people I traded in my webbed feet for snow shovel at the border. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20 years.. so many things I thought I'd never have, and never do. So many things I was told I wouldn't do, and many more I almost didnt get to do. I never thought I'd leave my family, and friends and I sure as hell didn't think I'd relocate so far from home. I've always said that people might be surprised what someone would do for the love of a good man. Though James has always teased that I loved his children first, and they are the reason I came. Ah but yes darling... YOU are the reason I stayed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the birthday wish of a little boy, and then a little girl, an unexpected journey unfolds. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back in the rear-view mirror, I see so very many bumps in the road. I sometimes wonder how we got here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't have imagined 20 years ago that I'd be where I am today. In many ways parts of it still feel like a dream. I do not take my blessings for granted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I cannot help but anything but grateful. </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91345809476367435.post-90568651303891638902017-01-04T10:05:00.000-05:002017-01-04T10:05:31.779-05:00On Facebook Memories, and Trips Around the Sun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook memories are a funny thing. Sometimes the items it chooses to share remind you of a time you'd forgotten about or perhaps just when something transpired. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love seeing the archived photos of days gone by, of our 3 (not so) little (anymore) bears, and now our grandchildren reminding us just how much they've grown in what seems like so little time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today my newsfeed starting popping up with posts I'd shared from my days at BNTV Brocknews. I have to admit it made me giggle. Hard to believe that as of this month I've been working with Dale Elliott for 7 years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say the least it has been an adventure. I'd been talking to a friend I'd made through volunteering about a writing gig I'd been offered that turned out to be a complete farce. Of course I wouldn't find this out until I was a month in of putting in some pretty long hours but such is life. I was just getting back on my feet after a long med-zone patch and I was looking for something to sink my time and enthusiasm into. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful that it was only O</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NE month. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In any case, upon hearing the tale this fellow told me about a friend of his that could likely use my time and talents. His assessment of the position, and the man intrigued me and I set about sending an introduction letter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so began my adventures with Dale Elliott, who I've come to call the Road Runner. It has been a pleasure to work with and for a man who has become as much a friend as he has a colleague. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say the very least, we've been through a lot together in the last 7 years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was with Brocknews for 3 years when it embarked on a new adventure and merged with Country Multimedia to become EON. Sadly what could have been just wasn't meant to be. As with most things that don't move forward well when everyone isn't on the same page or even in the same book. Dale made the tough choice to go back out on his own with Hometown TV12. Few were surprised a few weeks later when I made my own announcement that for a variety of reasons, I too would be leaving EON. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Change is often a scary thing and I wasn't crazy about the idea of starting over, but it has been a wonderful opportunity to reach out and reconnect with a variety of people in the community that are making "sh-tuff" happen (as my good friend always says) and let them know we're still here working away and are just as committed as we have always been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have immense gratitude for the many friends and viewers that have stuck with us from the beginning and continue to ride along with us as we serve up the daily news for Leeds & Grenville. Not a day goes by when I don't get to meet someone new, or learn about something happening in our community that I was not aware of before. It has been a fantastic journey, and I don't regret a single minute of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Onward and upward! </span><br />
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Lady8i8http://www.blogger.com/profile/15686841288544581287noreply@blogger.com0