What a rough week

This has been a rough week for me. On Thursday I got a call from my Mom at work that my step-dad had had a stroke while they were on a holiday of sorts near Manitoulin. They had transported him to Owen Sound and didn't know what was wrong with him. I jumped in my car and headed to be with my Mom. They were flown home to Belleville on Monday (I came home on Sunday) and today he is doing much better. He'll be in the hospital for a while and will be getting some therapy while he's there. The good news is he's off all the machines and monitors and holding his own. And he's one determined man, so I know he'll fight to get back to where he was! My Mom is doing well and happy to be home in her own bed and closer to more family and lots of friends.

On Tuesday morning one of my favourite people and closest friends, Bruce, passed away after a 3 1/2 year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). While I know he's now at peace, my heart is heavy and I can't help feeling a little lost. I am heading to Sudbury tomorrow to the visitation and funeral and to spend some time (hopefully) with his wonderful wife, Eileen, and their two very gorgeous boys, Ian and Mark.

Just a few weeks ago I was pondering the circle of life, and now I feel like it's hit me upside the head. What a crazy path we have to take to get us to where we're supposed to be.

The picture above is Bruce & I at the Walk for ALS on June 13th. I'm so thankful for all the beautiful memories. Rest easy my friend. I love you and I miss you terribly.

I survived!

So we went to Sarnia Bayfest and saw KISS live. Yes, my man painted his face before we left K-W (we were gone by 3:10 pm) and didn't wipe it off until we got home around 3:00 am. We stood and stood and stood...we got to Sarnia around 5:30 and KISS came on around 10:00 and played for over two hours. My feet have never hurt so bad in my life! I will say that I took a small break early in the evening...but there was no giving up our very cool spot about 40 feet from the stage. Matt was in heaven. Me, I've now learned that it's not really about the vocals for KISS, it's all about the crazy show they put on for their crazy fans. Man are they loyal to each other! And now I figure I have some money in the bank for when I want to do something I deem cool...oh yeah!

Countdown to KISS

Yep...it's true...the countdown to KISS has begun...two more sleeps! I have to be honest with my blogging friends and tell you I'm not crazy about the idea of going to a KISS concert. At all. However, I am very excited about sharing the experience with Matt as he fulfills a bucket list item. He has been waiting and waiting for the day he could see KISS live...freak. Anyway, we have tickets in the VIP section for Bayfest on Friday. I'm hoping these tickets will mean we're separated from the craziest fans and feeling quite pleased with our decision to get the Unlicenced VIP tickets!!

Yes, Matt plans to paint his face. I, on the other hand, cannot bring myself to do it. I'm wondering what all the cars from here to Sarnia are going to think when they see the Demon sitting in my car beside me.

I'd better get some good pics to scrapbook!

We Are Family...

So, I'm off to hang with my family this weekend. Yep, leaving the big city and heading East to Trenton and the home of my Mom! My brother and his family (Dave, Nancy, Billy & Charlie) as well as my sister's family (Sandy, Bruce & Luke) are also heading to the big town of Trenton for the weekend so we can all hang together. For the whole weekend. Where the heck will we sleep??!!

On Saturday my step-brother and his lovely wife Amber will be hosting us at their home for dinner. Their wee famiy of two is about to be invaded with 11 more of us...hope they know what they're in for!! There is an airshow in Trenton this weekend so I'm guessing I'm going to have to ooh and aah over some planes. Really I'm just interested in the Snowbirds! I have loved them since I was a kid!! I hope I can get a couple of pics of some dynamite air maneuvers to scrapbook later!!

I am looking forward to connecting and laughing and maybe a game or two of scrabble. I should be working on my words right now!!

Have a great weekend everyone! Hopefully I'll have some pics to post soon!

Family Photos!!

I was very honoured to join Matt and his kids to have some family photos done!! We had a blast and Chris did such a great job shooting our best sides!! Lauren and Alex are so amazingly photogenic...

Feel free to check us out on her blog:

http://clickphotography.ca/blog/

We're under June 29, 2009 (under the belly pics...) and our photos on her blog are titled "The Fam" - just a small sampling of our experience.

You know I can't wait to do some serious scrapbooking with these photos!!

Circle of Life...

So, my status on Facebook says that I've been wondering about the Circle of Life. I've been thinking a lot about my friend Bruce, who is fighting ALS with all he has, but doesn't seem to be winning the battle...and a lovely man I used to work with, and who's family I know so well, passed away on Tuesday with Acute Leukemia. And now on CNN it's all about Michael Jackson dying today and Farrah Fawcett died today too...and it makes me think. As these individuals move on to whatever comes next, are they opening the door for a new life to enter?

Do you know that Harry Chapin song..."All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown...".

Just feeling kind of reflective. And so totally blessed.

Help Needed!!

Hey my blogging friends....I need some help!

How do I get followers (I do have followers right)?? And how do I show up as someone else's follower?? Seriously...I need a tutorial. Something to spice up my blog and add some zing!!

Anyone?? Usually I don't feel so technologically challenged....