"With great mustache comes great responsibility"*

Like last year, Chris participated again in Movember this year to help fundraise for prostate cancer research.  All month long everywhere I go I see mustaches.  So, so many mustaches.  I'm glad to see so much participation, and I hope that this participation has led to thousands and thousands of new dollars going to the cause.  It still doesn't nullify the fact that mustaches creep me out.  And, I selfishly look forward to the first of December when all the razors come out of hiding :).

Yesterday, Chris, Matt & Nicole again set up a Mo'Photo shoot, and they raised $255 to go toward Matt's work's Movember donation.  A great big thank you to all who came out to participate!  Your generosity will not be forgotten!  If you missed out this year, fear not, as far as we can tell, this photo session will reoccur every year. 

Let's kick prostate cancer in the ASS!!

*Quote from the Family Guy

where have you BEEN???

....I feel like I've been such a spotty blogger that I can't even do an 'update' post any justice. The summer is half over and I haven't let you all in on what's been going on.  I suck.  I'm sorry.  I'll try not to waste your time complaining and coming up with excuses.  Yes, life is busy. Yes, my wrist is bothering me - still. And a lot.  Yes, it's that humid time of year where I'm prone to headaches that feel like my head's going to bust open.  I guess that's where I'll stop complaining.  Here's a little of what's been keeping me off of blogger and out of your lives...

• One of my dearest friends is on the Island, visitng from Whitehorse.  Julie embarked on the journey with her two girls in tow; Teddy is staying home this visit.  She's only visiting once every two years, so I've been trying to soak up every ounce of available time with her that I can.  The girls are growing up so fast!!  Sarah is a complete clone of Julie, and Alexa, of Teddy.  In fact I've donned her "Little Teddy" this trip.  They're so freaking cute!
• Chris and I are trying to do a 'date night' once/week, and that usually falls on the weekend.  So, in the past three weeks we have: Had dinner at the Chinese restaurant in Cornwall, then onward to a video store, bringing back a few movies, along with some Cows ice cream* for the road, and then came back home for a movie night.  We even sat on the same couch!  We rented Inception & Little Red Riding Hood.  Inception was CRAZY, but I really enjoyed it.  LRRH was ok...but I kinda wish I'd left my childhood story where it was.  The following weekend, we headed out in the Element on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with no real destination in mind, but in hunt of local vegetable & fruit stands. Chris has a little project he's working on, so he was technically 'working', but it was still an opportunity to share some alone time and explore some different paths and roadways that we've not been to before. We ended up vising Argyle Shore Provincial Park, several different roadstands and ended the day in Kensington for supper (and more importantly, dessert) at the Frosty Treat.  Last weekend, we had supper at Maggie's & then onward to the theatres for a showing of a new movie, Friends with Benefits.  It was really cute.  I didn't even mind that that much that it was Justin Timberlake who starred in it.  Tonight, we have a double-date planned for dinner & a movie with Melissa & Darren!  So excited; we haven't had a chance to spend time with them since their wedding - so LONG overdue!
• I finally got out with my girlfriends, albeit, more than a month late, for my birthday supper.  We went out to the Old Triangle for a change.  The food was good, though a bit expensive ($2 more to make a sandwich a wrap instead of a keizer? WTF?). The company made up for the price. Thanks girls.
• Last weekend, I joined the girlies at Tanya's house to celebrate the upcoming Baby Redmond's arrival.  I can't post pictures yet, because it was a 'themed' shower, and not everyone knows the 'theme' yet.  Suffice it to say that Julie got a lot of really nice stuff :).  Speaking of a pregnant Julie R, I also joined Chris on her maternity photoshoot a few weeks ago. It was a hot and very humid evening; we got some great shots at a local area park, and got back to her place before a big thunder bumper passed by. We'll be back after Baby R arrives for more pics, and perhaps I'll share a few on the blog at that point :).
• Last week, Chris & I met Julie's friends Jen & Roger.  They used to live in Whitehorse, too, but just recently moved to Ottawa.  They and their 2 kids drove to PEI on vacation, lining up when Julie was home as well.  We grabbed a drink and munchies before they headed back on the road the next morning.  It was great to meet them - and it's easy to see why Julie thinks so fondly of them.  I helped Jen make a 40th Birthday scrapbook for Julie, and she brought it with her to give it in person.  It turned out great!  Great to meet you Jen & Roger!  We'll be sure to catch up with you in October if Chris & I make the big trek up your way!
• No summer update is complete without a little BB talk!  Yes, we're still heavily enthralled with the show...collectively gagging when the camera panned to the scenes with the blubbering Brachel duo.  We were SO delighted that Brendon finally got the boot last week.  Now, to work on the other half!  We're still cheering on Jeff & Jordan, as well as Daniele.  The latest "twist" of a formerly voted out housemate getting the chance to get back into the game makes me nervous.  Will Brendon & his big mouth land his way back there?  Wouldn't surprise me.  Ah well, makes for loads of drama, anyway!
• Last night, Julie & I had a date night of our own!  We stuffed ourselves on garlic at Pizza D, then went shopping for t-shirts for her, and then made our way to the theatre where we caught the late show of Horrible Bosses.  If you haven't seen this yet, you should try to get to it.  So freaking funny.  Not long ago Chris made a comment to me that every time Jennifer Aniston stars in a movie she basically plays Rachel.  Wait til he sees this movie.  Thanks Julie for an awesome time! 
• On a sad note, Chris got some disappointing news yesterday.  A friend of his who has been undergoing treatments for cancer was advised that the treatments weren't working, and he's been given only a few months to live.  He's in the midst of getting settled into his home to spend his final days with his loved ones by his side.  We're so, so, so sorry to hear that it didn't go his way, and wish him, and his family, strength in the next while.  Go out there and LIVE people.  Don't put off stuff you think you can do another day.  Life is so precious and fragile. 

*speaking of ice cream. Dear LORD the ice cream consumption this summer has been atrocious.  If my wrist wasn't so bad I might consider trying to get a part-time job at Cows so that I might be sick of it.  It worked for me back in the day when I worked for Garden City.  I didn't want to even LOOK at an ice cream scoop or drop of ice cream for years after that.  Something tells me that wouldn't work though. 

for Jenn

So I had a crappy day.  System issues playing havoc on the daily routine...being down in manpower on account of a scheduled vacation for a co-worker taxing an already huge backlog of backlog...lack of sleep...aching joints and damp weather.  Added together, I thought I had the perfect fixings to a day worth a litany of 'poor me' thoughts, and I validated those thoughts from sun up til sun down.  There may have been tears (ok, so maybe we can even throw hormonal in the mix??).  It's at times like these when life will then kick you in your proverbial sunken ass, and give you a dose of perspective, and realism.  I'm lucky.  I'm damn lucky.  How dare I sit and wallow in my own self-pity and feelings of self-loathing?  How dare I?

As I wallowed and did my routine check on FB status updates, I noticed several friends with memorial status updates for a "Jenn".  I noticed several had profile picture updates with the same, simple, "Love for Jenn", badge.  It would appear that a friend of a friend(s) lost her battle with cancer yesterday.  Curious, I did a search on FB and found a page dedicated to the strength and courage of this young lady. It also linked to her personal blog, where she wrote about her first diagnosis, her triumph of having 'beat' it...and, the unfortunate return. She had battled the disease for two years with vigor, passion, an unwavering will, and the utmost of positivity.  She leaves behind a loving husband, a 3 year old son, and a legacy of love and hope that will live on in her honour.

I sat here and read every single word that she wrote.  In awe.  In tears.  In complete and utter sadness for a true spirit taken from this world, and a renewed sense of gratitude and overwhelming guilt for feeling so sorry for myself all day long, I once again am aware of the fragility of life. Of the need to live each day with its fullest and highest potential.  Of never, ever leaving any word unspoken.  Of having no regrets.  Of living life with passion.  Of loving to its most unconditional potential.  I encourage you all to click on Jenn's blog, and read her story, and share her pain and her passion.

To Jenn:   I didn't know you, but your story has touched my very core.  You were truly a blessed soul, and you blessed everyone you touched.  Your words will continue to touch, and I wish your family peace, as they keep you close in their hearts and memories, forever.

Go tell someone you love them.  Go live....

She fought til the end

In May it would have been two years since she found out.  And last Friday, her last radiation treatment.  She vowed she would fight it with everything she had. And she did.

She turned 59 on the 6th of February, and last night, her brave fight came to an end.  Too young.  Just, too young.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.  Farewell Aunt Barbara Ann... may you rest in peace, now that your suffering is over.

"Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them
frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.

 -Saint Francis de Sales