Don't Care

I'm going outside today...

I don't care how much the rain pours...

I don't care how hard Sandy blows...

I've got my brolly and my boots...

I've been inside for two whole days...

and it's driving me batty!

For John

Just thought I would say...

I think you are a very good man John The Dogs

It's That Time Of The Year Again

Tess Kinkaid, 

poet, 

hostess-extrodinaire

is throwing her annual Bash-Of-The-Year

WILLOW MANOR BALL 2012

In past years I've been escorted by the gentlest of men:

Seamus Heaney

the most silent of men:

The Stig

But this year, I've decided, it's the year for

(ever-so elegant drumroll please....)

 Fleming

Ian Fleming

of course he collected me in the

Aston Martin

 we drove all night to arrive ever-so fashionably late;

timed perfectly for us to make our dramatic entrance 

to play the gown to full effect...

Ian, of course, dressed to the nines

was not about to be upstaged by a slip of a girl...

but the best...the best of the best was the dancing

oh, how we danced...

...a touch too much Absinthe do you think Tess?

Thank you again Darling Tess for the Blogtopia event of the year.

See you for brunch and scuttlebutt very soon!

And Here We Are...

Two more radiation sessions to go.

It's been a long trek and there is still quite a bit of traveling to complete on this journey, but I wanted to take the time to say Thank You.

To Jeffery...for loaning us your flat to stay in while Rudy was in treatment.  I'd say you'll never understand quite how wonderful it was to be able to be private and together during this time; but having walked this very path yourself not so long ago, I'm sure you do; and perhaps that was part of the reason you were so insistent that we stay here. I will forever refer to 16 Rosedale Road as the most luxurious hospital room we have every stayed in. 

To Lindsay...for being a great kid and doing your very best to take care of your dad during the times I wasn't there with him.  I know your schedule is manic, and you feel a little guilty that you couldn't be with him more often, but honey what you did do was full of love and caring and he knew that and it made all the difference in the world.

To Jessica...for coming from Miami to see your dad, and to Nelson for being part of the decision.  It's how the small, loving actions pile up that help us all to feel safe and lets the healing in.  You know your dad isn't big on conversation, but I could see in his face, in the softening of the stress lines around his eyes, how much good us all being able to just hang out that long weekend did for him.

To my sister Victoria...a constant in my life...for listening to me when I ranted, when I felt sorry for myself, when I was full of anger and hate.  For being your tender, funny self and helping me to put it all back into perspective.

To our friends who fed us and spent time with us...especially my caring neighbours Laurie and John, who kept a very close eye on me and fed me when I was at home alone.  It all makes a difference, a huge difference, every small gesture, every smile, hand-squeeze, knock on the door, hug-before-you-leave.  I hope all of you never, ever have to experience just how much of a difference.

To the professionals at Princess Margaret Hospital - without exception you all behaved with the utmost professionalism and compassionate caring.  I hope we never have need of your services again.

This journey is far from over.  Another 6 to 8 weeks of latent radiation effects; two and a half more years of drugs; and then the long slow climb of a year to a year and a half back to wellness.  

And the watchful waiting, the holding of our breath, will begin in December - the first PSA test (repeated thereafter every three months) to make sure there is no lingering activity.

Cancer isn't moving out of our house anytime soon, but the eviction notice has been served.

Do you hear me up there?

Winds of Change

One of the multitude of reasons I love this season...

...is because of the wind...

...it roils and rocks the world...

...blowing us all just a little off centre...

...pushing us outside of our usual comfort zones...

Adrian Sommeling

...and into brand new ones...

...showing (me anyway) just how marvelous and amazing

our world is...

Am I Really That Old?

Do you own one of these?

...a sewing kit...

or these?

...a button box...

or these?

...a shoe cleaning kit...

How do people exist without them?

I happened to mention to a group of young people the other day, that my husband had polished our shoes.  They looked at me aghast, like I was speaking a foreign language.

Polished your shoes? what? how?

That sparked the conversation about a sewing kit and button box...more foreign words.

I had to ask them...what do you do if you loose a button?

Take it to the dry cleaners was the response.

I'm still in shock!

I'm Positively Giddy...

The Cyber event of Blogtopia

Coming soon...

...dust off your glad rags and your dancing shoes...

...call your most dreamed-of-escort (living or not)...

and prepare to celebrate for 24 hours like you have never celebrated before!

For my past dancing partners, see here and here.

See you there!

Almost There

Hang in there babe...

...only four more weeks to go...

...I'm right there with you...

Fabulous Fall

How can you not love Autumn?

...and don't even get me started on boots and shoes!

thanks Pinterest for all the lovely pictures.