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

A Whole Day!!

Today was my first FULL day at work since August 4, 2010!  Can you believe it?  It's a funny thing to be proud of and to feel some accomplishment for...but this return to work thing is tougher than I would have guessed.  Keeping focused and remembering how to do my job is a challenge!!  It is definitely getting better with time and practice!!  I'm so grateful for understanding employers and co-workers!!

Tomorrow Matt and I are off to a KISS concert.  One of Matt's all time favourite bands.  Me, I go just to experience how much Matt loves being there! And, of course, after ten years together it turns out I know a lot of their songs too!!  We have excellent seats for the concert, and since I know that Matt will be painting his face, you can expect photos in the near future.  

That said, I should warn you that I am still trying to figure out how to do photos on the MacBook...so it could take me a few days!

I did finish the book I was reading "A Soft Place to Land".  It was ok.  I was disappointed in the ending, and I'm always bummed when I read a book and enjoy it while I'm reading it and then think the ending stinks.  With this book, I felt the ending left me hanging...and that makes the book feel unfinished to me. Oh well.  I'm on to the next book (see the side panel for details)...

Hope you are all having a great week and enjoying the (somewhat cooler) weather!  Geez...maybe we'll even get some rain!!

xoxoxoxooxoxo

What a Year It's Been!!

On July 19, 2010, Matt & I went to an appointment with my surgeon to get the official news...I had breast cancer.  One year ago today!  Man!  What a year it has been!  Some days it feels like so much longer than one year, and other days it feels like a whole year couldn't possibly have passed by!

I had a three month check up today and got a glowing report card!  I'm doing good!  I expressed my frustration at the lingering fatigue and this darn brain of mine that seems to be taking it's sweet time getting back to normal.   My oncology nurse gave me trouble!  She told me I need to stop being so hard on myself and recognize that my body is still healing from the "war" it fought this past year.  I finished my active treatments about four months ago...four months ago!  I know some of you will understand why I'm frustrated...and yet I really do understand that my body is still healing and that we all heal at different rates!

I am proud of myself.  I think I did a great job getting through the past year!  I couldn't have done it without my personal coach/nurse/caretaker, Matt!   How I ever got so lucky to have this incredible man in my life, who not only got me through the past year, but continues to love and support me every day...somewhere, somehow, I did something good!!

And of course, I couldn't have done it without all of you!  Thank you for the love. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the positive energy you continue to send my way. Thank you for the treats, the teas, the visits, the emails, the hugs, the books, the laughs, the smiles....

Thank you for being there for me.  I'm one lucky, lucky girl.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

One More Sleep...

I'm so excited! Tomorrow afternoon I pick up the boys at the airport and I truly can't wait to see them!!  I am excited to hear about the adventures they had in Europe and see all their pictures!!  Man, have I missed them!

Two weekends have come and gone since I last did a blog update.  Time sure flies these days!  I've been very busy with my house sitting...watering the gardens, enjoying the air conditioning, out visiting some friends (some who graciously made me dinner...thank you very much!!).  I've been so excited today thinking about seeing those smiling faces tomorrow!!  I did up all my laundry today (mmmm....fresh linens....) thinking they may be arriving with suitcases full of dirty clothes tomorrow...best to get mine out of the way!!

I had a wonderful weekend in the Kawarthas (last weekend) with my friends Sherri and Patti. The weather was unbelievably beautiful and we had a great visit!  If you have never experienced anything from the Kawartha Dairy, I would strongly recommend the ice cream and chocolate milk. It is so yummy!!  Thank you Sherri for such a GREAT weekend!  I loved the boat ride, the floatie in the lake and best of all the laughs we girls shared!!  Thanks for being such a great navigator, Patti!!  Giggles Galore!!

I have a great excuse for not blogging this past week. I've been a little preoccupied with my new laptop and iPad!!  Wahoo!  I have no idea what I'm doing...but that doesn't seem to matter. I am loving my new electronics!!  So far I have downloaded one book..."How to Use your iPad"!!  ha ha ha

On Tuesday I go for my three month check up at the Cancer Centre.   I'm hoping it's as easy and quick as the mammogram was!

Hope you are all finding a way to stay cool in this wicked heat wave we are having...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo