one mo' time!

In case there were any that missed the shoot last weekend, you have another opportunity to support a fantastic cause, and have a lot of fun! This Sunday, November 28, between the hours of 3pm and 9pm drop by 105 Queen, Suite 5 (just upstairs from Jems Boutique (where Just Us Girls used to be)) for another opportunity to show your support for the fundraising effort for prostate cancer research. Your generosity will be rewarded with a fun time, and a great keepsake. You can choose to have a print of a formal "portrait" session, or print off a few pics of yourself sporting one of our fancy fake moustaches. The possibilities are endless :)

Happy Birthday Todd!

Today is my 'baby' brother's birthday. Age is just a number, right? And seeing as I'm the older of us, I don't feel like mentioning the age itself. However, if you look carefully at this vintage pic of the two of us -- our outfits, the high chair motif, the kitchen table & chairs, those curtains, you'll know it was taken circa forever ago.

Well Todd, we've had our share of moments. The fights between us were many, some of the words, harsh. However, there's always been a friendship underneath it all. You've been Mom's rock over the past few years, and Dad would be so proud of you. Thanks for all you've done for her, and for the family. Wishing you a fantastic birthday today, and I hope the year ahead of you has many happy moments, and special surprises for you. Love you much xoxoxox.

52 years ago

Today would have been 52 years for them, had Dad not passed on.

52 years ago today, a man married his best friend.
52 years ago today, a woman, hers.
School mates.
Soul mates.
Forever loved.
Forever missed.
Now an empty pillow lays where his head used to lay.
Today she pours one glass, not two -
As she thinks about her best friend,
And the day two became one.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad.

Movember -- it's in you to give

Cancer is everywhere. In some capacity, it effects everyone, directly, or indirectly. I hate cancer. I loathe it with every fiber of my being. I can only hope that someday there will be a cure for all the dreaded cancers out there. Sadly, in 2010 alone, more than 4400 men will die as a direct result of prostate cancer.

The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

This year, Chris and our friend Matt decided to get involved for the cause. Not only have they set aside their razors, but they (along with the lovely Nicole) are putting themselves to work for the cause as well. Full Frame Media and Spin Photo are joining together tomorrow to donate their time and talent to put on a photo shoot, a mini portrait session, to donate to the cause. The Mo'Photo Shoot, hopefully the first year of many, will take place tomorrow.

How can you help? If you're in the area, drop on by to 102 Queen St, Suite 5 (above JEMS), between the hours of 11am and 5pm, and join in on the fun. For a $20 donation, you'll be able to take part in a photo shoot, and leave with an 8x10 sheet of photos. So, you get to decide if you want a full 8x10 pic of yourself and you're carefully groomed 'stache, or as many wallets that an 8x10 sheet can hold, to share with your friends. Don't have a 'stache? Don't worry! Fake ones will be on hand. Put one on a pet, a child, your wife, or daughter. Don't wanna wear a 'stache? Don't! Just smile prettily for the camera! All proceeds are going to the Movember Foundation.

If you're not local to the Island, and you still want to help, feel free to click on the following link to donate via PayPal or credit card: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1019488/

I have to remember how proud I am of Chris for helping to come up with such a great idea for such a great cause...especially as that 'stache gets thicker and thicker. At least November is almost over ;). Hope to see you tomorrow!!

A sign

Tim Hortons have their Christmas cups out.

That can only mean one thing, I guess. It's now officially time to start the frantic, mad dash that is pre-Christmas. (I borrowed the side image from the Interwebs on account of my inability to post pics yet on account of my storage issues on my craptop. Thanks Interwebs.)

Last night, as the wind and rain pelted the living room window, I actually cut some paper to prepare for this year's new Christmas cards. I'm not sure why I actually started them this early (even though in previous years I'd started them even earlier), but I will blame Carolyn for the little push with her message requesting my address. Thanks, Carolyn!

And, I may be flogged for saying this, but...I was kinda wishing it was snow pelting outside rather than the pouring rain.

This weekend: project Christmas tree.

A party in Heaven

Today, on what would have been your 74th birthday, I send greetings Heavenward. There is not one day that passes, not one, that I don't think of you at some point or another. Today the ache is a little heavier. Today there are a few more tears that hide behind the smile in my eyes as I think about you. I hope that there's a party in Heaven today for you. A party where all the good people who left before and after you will gather, and celebrate the great man that is you. I know you'll be standing straight and proud. There will be no limp, no pain in your eyes. Perhaps you'll dance to a special tune to honor this special day. And I'll know you're dancing as I go outside, and feel the soft breeze pass by my face.

I love you so much Dad. I miss you more than words.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself.
~John Gregory Brown, Decorations in a Ruined Cemetery, 1994

weekends are for wining & dining

After a week or more of constant rainfall, wind, and overall dreariness, we were finally met with glorious sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures (yesterday at least) this weekend. I should have taken advantage of it yesterday, but unfortunately, there were things that needed attending to in-house. Rosanne & Craig's wedding photos were finally done (a la Christopher), so I was finally able to add the finishing touches to their wedding gift. I also had to make up a few birthday cards. Because we were invited over to Rosanne & Craig's house for the evening, with the prospect of helping her polish off a few bottles of the wedding wine (oh sweet baby Jesus, Georgie's homemade wine), I knew I wouldn't feel like sweeping floors and loading and unloading the washer today, so I did my Sunday clean up on Saturday afternoon. And, now as I type, curled up on the couch under a blanket with a large glass of hydrating water by my side, I'm so thankful that I decided to do that.

We had a great night at the MacLeod's. Chris, me, Sue Ellen, Kellsay, Jyl and Pat came over to help with the wine polishing, and many laughs and stories ensued. We started the night with a 'slide show' of the wedding pics, since Craig was able to hook up the computer cable to the TV to view them. The overall reception of the photos seemed fairly positive, so Chris and I breathed a big sigh of relief. It was too bad that the rest of the gang couldn't join in. We missed you guys! Thanks so much for your hospitality, newlyweds!! We look forward to many nights together :).

Last night also gave us the opportunity to meet Miss Molly, Rosanne & Craig's new chocolate Lab puppy. She's a ball of energy and completely adorable. And, she's young enough that she doesn't stink. I was in-like with her, and even held her in my lap for a bit and gave her some scratches. It goes without saying, but Chris was beyond infatuated, and I fear the meeting only pushed his need for a dog even closer to the forefront. The thought of being disturbed from sleep every night in 2 hr intervals and looking out for all of my belongings suffering incessant chew marks makes me want to vomit a little, but if I'm going to stay with Chris, I don't know how much longer I can hold off on the 'no dog in my house rule'. I'm reading Marley & Me to try to soften up to the idea, and I suppose, ample visits to the MacLeod home might help me along. But I will make this official by posting it out there on the interwebs: I am NOT responsible for ANY part of anything canine. I will NOT be getting up in the 2 hr intervals to take it out to pee. I will NOT be picking up its piles of poo. I will NOT tolerate doggy kisses or doggy drool on any part of my face. Regular bathing will be required, and I will NOT be the one responsible for doing said cleanings. And a bigger house, with a fenced in yard, is preferred. And the dog has to be a golden Lab puppy. And it should be a she. Yeah. Anyway.

Tonight is Lana's belated birthday shawarma at Cedars where there will be absolutely no puppy talk, and we will undoubtedly leave there with very, very full bellies. I should probably rest up a bit in preparation for the big indulgence before me, so off to enjoy a little more TLC. Happy Sunday, folks!