Return to Peggy's Cove

My fellow wharf hag, Dianne, and I spent several wonderful hours at Peggy’s Cove, walking on the rocks and watching the waves crash against them. It was great to be there with someone who ‘gets it’; who can appreciate the magic and the power of my ‘special place’.

I'm not sure what it did for my body, but the visit was definately good for my soul.

Return to the Om tent

Today was a perfect day.

Jilly came by this morning with a lovely sun hat for me and pansies from her garden.

Then Kate and I headed off to Anne and Ron’s cottage mid-day. We had several swims in the lake and the water was like silk; warm enough to make it easy to get in but still cool enough to be refreshing.

We spent some time reading (Marley and Me – a gift from Barb) in the Om tent. There has been an addition this year of a side curtain which acts as a shade from the sun. I wish had brought the camera with me because Katey had a 5 minute standoff with a bull-frog and at one point I looked up just in time to see a beaver swim by us.

Sometimes I wonder at how Katey and I found each other. She is so easy to take care of and I get so much more in return than I give. She’s a wonderful companion to spend the day with; she doesn’t complain and she’s perfectly happy to do anything I want to do. I swear that on the ride home she kept looking up at me from her car bed with a smile on her face, as if to say “Thank you for the great day!”

Katey's blog

The silent biker

I may not be able to talk, but I can still bike! I went out with the Friday bike group this morning and I did OK. I had planned to turn back when we got to any hills, but they stayed on the flats from the Island Park Bridge to Britannia Park.

There was a huge herd of Canada geese (I think they are actually called a 'gaggle') crossing the bike path, so in true Jennifer fashion, she decided to direct them. :-)

 

In the picture: Judy, Sheleigh, Jean, Jennifer, Bev

Pilgrimage to Peggy’s Cove

It seems like every time I’ve struggled with my health, I’m drawn back to the ocean of my birthplace for healing.

Dianne knows how special Peggy’s Cove is to me and so she suggested we take a trip there together. We plan to go in early July, before I go back to the oncologist.

What I'm grateful for today: The opportunity to let the power of the rocks and the ocean work their magic on my mind, body and soul.

Canoe trip

I was supposed to be on a canoe trip this week. A group of friends is canoeing along the Rideau, camping at a series of locks along the way. Because I can’t paddle (radiated rib, shortness of breath, etc), my mom and I agreed to visit their campsites and help shuttle an extra car from site to site.

The first day was unfortunately a wet one for the paddlers. We met them at Jones Falls where they set up their tents and cooked dinner in the rain. We stood under a tarp and ate a fabulous Indian dinner, despite the weather.

Mom and I checked into the Kenny Lodge next door and our sun porch became the party room for the evening. Breakfast came with our room and we sat in the window of the lovely dining room overlooking our friends’ campsite on the other end of the locks.

Katey’s ‘aunties’ agreed to take her with them on their canoe adventure for the day. She looked a bit uncertain as they headed off through the locks but she had a great time. (If you look closely at the picture below you can see her little head next to Margot). Her Nanny was worried that she’d fall out of the canoe but she had her life vest on and I knew the aunties would take very good care of her.

We all met up at Chaffey’s locks yesterday afternoon and the sun was shining. After participating in a scavenger hunt and trying to have a nap, I decided that I was too tired to stay longer and we headed for home. (OK, truth is, my mom was worried about me, but that’s what mom’s do).

BTW - Everyone on the canoe trip has had breast cancer. Sometimes I forget that, because we are just wonderful friends who happened to meet up on the Busting Out dragon boat team.

Relay for Life pictures

Here are a few more pictures from the Relay for Life.

A friend got a luminary done in my honor and in Mary's memory. Thank you so much Rita!

Rita is below on the left in yellow.

I just received some lovely pictures of the time I spent with the Calgary gals at the conference in Philadelphia.

What a great group of women: supportive, courageous, fun and just darn good company!

In the picture: Sue, Krystyna, me and Danie

Hugs to all the amazing women I met in Philadelphia! xo

My room of 6+

I received an email asking me to make a wish and pass the quote below on to six special women. If this group of women were ever to be in a room together, there is nothing that would be impossible.

I'm usually reluctant to forward these things on (because I'm suspicious that chain emails are just a way for the originator to get more email addresses to spam). And besides, I had a hard time picking just six women. My list would be a long one, which tells me that I am blessed.

Here is the quote:

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

What I'm grateful for: The remarkable women who make me laugh, show me kindness, listen when I need to vent, challenge me to be a better person, keep me from going off the deep end and continue to touch my life in a variety of interesting ways. (You know who you are!!!)

 
 
 





The prodigal son returns in:

day!

A friend

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand.

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."

--Henri Nouwen

Joanne's hair-raising fundraiser

When her cancer returned and she had to have more chemo, my friend Joanne came up with a creative way to raise money for the Busting Out dragon boat team. She asked people at the Canadian Martyrs Church to sponsor her to attend a service 'unadorned'. Yup, that's right: no wig, no hat. Brittney Spears crazy-phase bald.

She even got up and made an announcement during the service so, not only did she raise $705, she didn't have to explain to everyone individually at her church that her cancer was back. Sometimes telling your story over and over again can be exhausting.

Talk about turning a negative into a positive. Joanne, you rock!

Coping when friends aren't doing well

I just wrote a reply to a friend who asked me how I'm doing after seeing Mary on Saturday. Mary & I are close and I think everyone is aware that it's a bit of a double whammy for me when someone I'm close to with metastatic cancer is not doing well.

It is true, it hurts. No, that's an understatement. It fucking sucks. I think the world of Mary and hate seeing that it's impossible now for her to be her usual "I can do anything; I'm not really sick" kind of self. 

Also, seeing myself in her shoes (or wheelchair, or hospital bed, etc.) isn't that much of a stretch for me.

I'm heading off to a conference for women with advanced breast cancer this weekend. What kind of a lunatic would continue to make connections (and potential friendships) with an entire community of women who's futures are filled with question marks? Shouldn't I protect myself and ask for health records and a family history before making new friends?

But, the truth is, no one understands where I'm at in my head like these women. I have a connection with them that I can't find anywhere else. They "get" me.

(Was that from a Tom Cruise movie? Oh no, I think it was "you complete me". As cute as he is, it would take more than Tommy boy to "complete" this old jig-saw puzzle with half the pieces missing).

Some of the women got emotional when we waved goodbye as Mary left the hospital. I think I just can't go there because if I do, I'm afraid it won't stop. The last time I really cried was at Christmas and I can't remember the time before that. It just feels too big for me to deal with, so I shut down. I think it's my mind's way of protecting me from coming completely apart at the seams. I have to stay in control because if I dare to peak over the edge, I'm afraid I'll fall into the abyss and won't be able to get up again.

Whewww! That was just too deep for a sunny Monday morning. I'm heading out for a bike ride with Anka and then off to do some planning for the accessory party this afternoon.

But Mary, sister of my heart, is never far from my thoughts...

Surprise for Mary - Plan C

We’ve been missing our friend Mary at the Saturday morning walking/running group. She’s been in the hospital and, while she hasn’t been feeling well enough for visitors, we’ve all been desperately wanting to see her.

Plan A was to meet in the hospital parking lot this morning and get someone to bring her to a window so we could all wave to her. When we found out yesterday that she had a weekend pass to go home (for good behavior?), we moved on to plan B.

Plan B was to wait in the park across the street and have Eric bring her over on the way to the car when she was released. Getting her ‘sprung’ (waiting for the doctor to see her) ended up taking longer than anticipated, so it was decided that the trek across Smyth in a wheelchair would be too tiring after the wait. So… we moved on to plan C.

We were determined! And Plan C worked!

Mary’s sister Frances (who just arrived from Ireland yesterday) waited at the front door of the hospital with Mary while Eric went to get the car. Then they both distracted her while the group of us walked over to the entrance, signs and all, and surprised her.

I hope Mary was as pleased as we were to see her. We sent her off with Eric and Frances for some well needed rest after all the excitement (or should I say ambush?).

Mary: You are such a good friend to all of us and we wanted to do something to let you know that we love you. I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating. You are a wonderful blend of classy lady and tough broad. I'm honored to call you my friend. xo

Early spring

I think the weatherman forgot to check the calendar. Yesterday was an unusually beautiful spring day -- in March! Anne, Dianne & I walked around the market and explored the offerings of the outdoor vendors.

Anne & Dianne both had ice cream (they said it was frozen yogurt but it looked pretty good to me). I was trying to be good so I had a black coffee and made myself feel better by buying a nice scarf -- a bit more expensive but more slimming than ice cream.

Nak North

I spent Thursday and Friday with friends on our 3rd annual overnight stay at a cabin at Nakkertok North, organized by our queen-of-ski, Peggy.

Yes, we are in shorts!

The early spring weather left the trail unfit for skiing so we strapped on our snow shoes instead.

After a challenging trek up Heartbreak Hill, we were ready for a smorgasboard of great food.

Beautiful sunshine, energizing exercise and special time spent with wonderful friends made for a lovey visit to Osterhus. If you look closely you can see the other snow shoers in the reflection of my sunglasses.

Photography Not on Skis

Our Photography on Skis course turned out to be Photography Not on Skis because the trail was too icy. We had a great time just the same, testing out what we learned along the trail.

Dianne took this great shot of Jean & I lying in the snow.This is what we saw from our position. And this is what we saw when Dianne's head wasn't in the way. The workshop was offered by the Ammas for Grammas and taught by Jo-Anne, Musician on Skis. Her photo for March 4th is of the group that attended.

What I’m grateful for today: Free coffee at McDonald's until the 14th.

The prodigal son returns in: 65 days

Winter activity

I'm working at getting out and doing some sort of exercise every day. I spent an hour on the canal with friends Jennifer & Dianne yesterday (Lynn was there too but she was off 'speed skating' when the picture was taken).Loud knocking at my door this morning woke me up (I haven't installed my new door bell yet) and I realized it was 8:25 and Jennifer was downstairs to pick me up for our usual Saturday morning walk/run group. She talked me into throwing on some clothes & brushing my teeth (that was my idea) and we were out in the cold walking before I knew it.OK... maybe it's true that touques and parkas don't always show off our best sides. But I'm told we clean up well.

What I'm grateful for today: Dollarama. I bought file folders and boxes there and spent the past hour reorganizing my office.

Dog-blog alert: New posting by Katey the Wonder Dog

Demolition Divas

It never ceases to amaze me what a group of fan-tab-u-lous and determined women can accomplish together!












My 'volunteer work crew' showed up this past Sunday to help me pull up the carpet on my main floor - no small job, but we managed to rip up that ratty germ-infested monster and have it sitting on the curb for garbage pickup in record time.












I knew there was parquet underneath but I was delightfully surprised at what great shape it's in. I still need baseboards and a solution to the gaps at the seams, but I am very happy with my 'new' floor.












What I'm grateful for today: My wonderful friends who are always willing to lend a hand, work together, and manage to turn even a tough job into a fun and positive experience. A huge THANK YOU (kiss, kiss, hug, hug) to Dianne, Patty, Vanessa, Jennifer & Peggy! Also, thank you to Cornelius for the late day muscle & technical assistance.

M&M

Two birthday cakes in two days. Weight Watchers be damned!

Happy Birthday to Mathew & Mary!

What I'm grateful for today: Chocolate and friends (not necessarily in that order ... but it's close)

Dog-blog alert: New posting by Katey the Wonder Dog

Skiing

I went cross-country skiing this morning for the first time this year. We tested out our ski legs on the flats of the Gatineau parkway and it was GLORIOUS!What I'm grateful for today: Peggy, for organizing Friday hike & ski days, and all of the wonderful women who participate in these activities.

PS: I'm missing my buddy, Anka!

All I want for Christmas

Santa sure had his hands full this morning! After seeing the movie Amelia, the Toonie Tuesday gals stopped off at Santa's workshop to let him know what we want for Christmas. I hope he has a good memory because when I told him that I wanted a new car, he didn't write it down...

What I'm grateful for today: Honey mustard. It really is better than regular, don't you think?