Sum...Sum...Summertime...

I love summer!  I love the heat, the sun, the smiles of everyone enjoying the great weather!  I love sitting outside and reading the paper or having a nap.   I love connecting with neighbours who are out and about, also enjoying the summer...and I love sitting in a backyard with friends enjoying a drink and maybe a dip in the pool!

As August comes to a close and I hear all the ads on the radio for "the most wonderful time of the year" and back to school sales, I know summer is coming to an end.  I'm starting to think about all the things I didn't do this summer and I can't help but feel a little bummed.    I think summer should last as long as winter does.

That said, fall is almost upon us and you know what, I love the fall!  I love the colours, the sunny days and cool nights and the parade of kids heading back to school!   I love the predictable routine that returns after summer holidays and the return of my favourite tv shows as the fall tv schedule begins.  And I love digging out my favourite sweatshirts and thinking about the return of Kitchener Ranger hockey!

While I'm not a big fan of the cold that comes with winter, or driving in snow and ice...I am grateful for the change that comes with each season.  For the opportunity to embrace the best of each season and the beauty that comes with it.   And I guess being a Canadian means tolerating winter even if I don't want to!

I'm getting ahead of myself...winter is still (hopefully) months away!  It's pool party time and I still have some summer things to enjoy!!  I'm going outside!

xoxoxoxoxoxoox

What a Girl!!

Last week I received an email from Matt's sister-in-law, Leslie that I would like to share with all of you.  It's about her daughter (Matt's niece), Kathryn.  Kathryn is a wonderful girl and I love it when I get the chance to visit with her and hear what she's up to.  Here's Leslie's email:


After a year of growing her hair, and much frustration over brushing such a long mane, Kathryn has donated her locks to be made into wigs for cancer patients.  She made this decision a year ago when she learned our dear family member, Sue, would be losing her hair during her cancer treatments.  We are very proud of Sue and we love Kathryn's new look!

I am so proud of this amazing ten year old!! Great job growing your hair and doing something so generous, Kathryn!!  I know that someone will be very grateful when their hair falls out and they can wear some of yours!!  And I love your new haircut!!


On an entirely different note, I got to have lunch with an old friend of mine on Sunday.  In the summer of 1987, I was a bridesmaid in my friend Sheryl's wedding. We went to high school together and she is one of the kindest people I have ever known.  Somehow, a year or so after Sheryl's wedding, we lost touch.  Sitting across from her on Sunday, 24 years later, I wonder how that happened.  I am so glad she found me on Facebook and we reconnected.    I am grateful for the opportunity to catch up, and for how great it felt to give an old friend a big hug.


xoxoxoxoxoxo

I'm Engaged...but not "Engaged"...

So, the last couple of weeks at work I feel like I have turned a corner.   I made the comment at work that it's so much better because I am engaged.  I meant that I am engaged in the work, and feeling drawn in to what I am working on and want to work on more stuff (definitely a good sign and a big change from a couple of weeks ago).   And even though we had been talking about work and how I was doing working through the piles, as soon as I used the word engaged, the response I got was an incredulous "You're engaged??!!".  Darn english language...darn double entendres.

So, while I am becoming engaged at work (meaning look at me getting caught up in the work and having no trouble filling in a full day)...I am not engaged to get married.  Silly people.

I was very tempted to title this blog entry simply "I'm Engaged"...knowing full well there might be a few screams, gasps as breaths were drawn in and "Holy crap, I can't believe she didn't tell me"...I decided I wasn't quite that cruel.  Well, maybe I am a little bit...since I'm sure I drew in a few of you with the title I did use...

I'm up to three full days this week.  It sure is a lot more fun to go to work now that my brain seems to be working better and I'm much  more "engaged" with what I'm working on!!

On a more somber note, I am sending out my sincere condolences to the whole Lunz family on the loss of their Mom and Grandma, Leona.   A lovely lady with a quick smile, I know she will be greatly missed.  My thoughts are with all of you.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Shout It...Shout It...Shout It Out Loud!!

Last week Matt and I went to Windsor to see KISS live at Caesars Colosseum.  Matt has been a huge KISS fan since he was a teenager and he still loves their music!  He can sing (almost) all of their songs by heart...and does...often!!  When provided with the opportunity to go see them live, he just couldn't turn it down!  Me, I'm not really a KISS fan, but I do have a lot of respect for a band that comes out and hits it...and interacts completely with the audience the entire two hours they are performing.  These guys really do know how to entertain!!  And who doesn't like a little "Rock & Roll All Night"??

I love this shot...you can totally tell how close we got!!

Gene...hard to believe he's 62. For those followers of "Family Jewels", the girl in the front row with the sign that said "Ask 4 me after please" added some insight into why there may be marriage problems!

Last time we saw KISS, they wouldn't sing Beth...and we heard somewhere that they won't sing it anymore out of respect for Peter Criss...I am happy to report that Eric Singer (the new Catman) did a great job with it!!

Me and my man!!  He was one of only a few with the make up on.  What a die hard!!

As the concert comes to an end, Paul Stanley struts his stuff one last time for us!

Love the  confetti cannon!!  Really, it's probably my favourite part!

Somehow Caesars in Windsor doesn't have the same feel as the casinos in Vegas.  I've been thinking a bit about that and I think it's because there is a much younger vibe at the casinos I've been to on the strip...and the vibe in Windsor was definitely older.  And somehow, sadder.

It's been a day of reflection for me today.  One year ago today I had my first chemo treatment.  And right about now I was tossing my cookies, for what would be the beginning of fourteen hours of yuckiness.  I'm so glad to have all that behind me!!

I went to see the final Harry Potter movie last night with my friend, Kim. We've seen all the movies together and the last one did not disappoint.  I now have the desire to watch them all in sequence and see what I missed the first time around!  Tomorrow I'm off to see the Smurf movie with my little friend, Jenna, and her mom, Bette.  I think I'm looking forward to it...although I have to admit I already have that darn Smurf song bouncing around in my head...

Sending some sunshine vibes out to my friends who are camping this weekend. Hope you have some great weather and a fantastic time!!

xoxoxoxoxoxox