Friday, Dec 21st- GRATITUDE is the ATTITUDE!

Hello, everyone!  What a crazy week here!

Darned cold and wet…just hovering at freezing. I am finally done baking and shopping. I just cannot do anymore.

Tuesday morning, our beautiful big rottie, Zeus, had died peacefully in his sleep….he was fourteen and pretty old for a large dog(180 pounds). Derek *****scued Zeus from the animal shelter years ago, is heart-broken. They buried him out back beside the old creek under the trees.

Wednesday: JB and I went to the "Juravinski Cancer Centre" in Hamilton again (trip number 49) and we saw the genetic doctor.....diagnosis NORMAL!! I do NOT carry the cancer marker gene despite the prevalence in my maternal family for cancer and so my two sons have no more chance of getting cancer than the average person!!!! What a relief!! THAT was my greatest fear!

The tests were taken in April and the results too****il this week to come back because they have to "read" every gene...like looking for a spelling mistake in the Toronto phonebook. Having that cancer marker meant that my sons would have had 50% HIGHER chance than normal of getting aggressive prostrate cancer. I am so grateful to know now that I have not passed on any
cancer genes to them.

Add to that, NOW I do not need extra surgery! *happy dances*

Thursday: Did alot of standing in lines....I finally got my doctor to sign my application for my handicap parking permit as PERMANENT instead of having to go ask for the papers signed every year. IT is obvious, after over fifteen years that my legs will never be normal again. So now I have my “temporary Permanent “parking permit (the permanent PERMANENT PERMIT will come in the mail later). This permit allows me easier access spots and I can also park on any city street free for a period of three hours at a time. It sure makes a lot of difference for me as my mobility is really not good at all as much as I try. Curbs and steps are so difficuklt and for them, I use my folding cane. I also got my last groceries for Christmas Brunch and dinner the next day.

Derek insists that we all come to HIS apartment for Christmas dinner. We always meet on Dec 26^th so Amy’s family can have their day together on the 25^th. So I have ordered a big turkey, Derek has a spiral ham and JB and the boys will help me pull it all together.

I invited a friend who is alone this year…her husband commited suicide several years ago just after Christmas, her aunt died last week and her sister died last month.  Her daughter is very pregnant out of town and HER mother-in-law, Lori, (whom I also know) is stage four w/pancreatic cancer and so the daughter and her partner will be with Lori.  We also invited a couple – friends of mine- who are going thru a rough time financially and medically.  She is my age and her husband (childhood sweetheart) is diabetic, just had surgery for an aneurism in his stomach and is going into dementia…so my friend sure has her hands full. She cannot get a job because she is 64(even though that it illegal to do) so they are struggling. Fortunately, Santa sent them a gift card for two hundred dollars for WalMart and they just got it…and will barely make their bills and get groceries but it will keep them afloat til their next funds come in. I’m so proud of my boys, how willing they are to welcome strangers as friends for dinner.

I send out prayers and hugs and positive energy to all…my energy gas tank is on EMPTY and I’m headed to bed now....I get to stay home all day today!! I think that I will…er…hmmm…SLEEP!!!

Be safe, everyone!

Nancy B

Good Morning Nancy and My Precious OFF Family,

Nancy, my parents set the example for welcoming anyone and everyone to holiday dinners, regardless of who they were.  Now, I have been doing that since my kids were little.  My first Thanksgiving as a wife and mother was spent in Monterey, California.  My husband was studying German at the language school for the army, and we invited several single guys from his class to dinner.  We had a very non-traditional dinner, as my husband hated turkey back then.  The important thing, I have been opening my door as much as possible to people.

Well, I started 2012 with a serious injury that landed me in the hospital and with a broken nose.  Now, I am ending it with a seriously broken foot.  God has a sense of humor, because it is my right foot.  I was at the ER last night, and was able to get an appointment with my podiatrist for this afternoon. My move is still on.  Just exploring my travel possibilities.

Today, the dentist first, then the podiatrist.

Love and hugs,

Trish

Good morning Nancy and everyone...

Nancy...I am so sorry about Zeus. I know he was an important part of your family. Sounds like you will have a wonderful Christmas!!  It is awesome that your son is so generous with others. He takes after you for sure!! Happy to hear that the cancer gene is not something your family needs to worry about. More answered prayers!!! I am also happy that you don't need more surgery. There is another blessing!!

I don't have much planned today.  I made a big crock pot of chili this morning. My  freezer supply has run out. Next I need to make more soup. I will do that next week for sure.  I also need to make my high protein meat balls. I just ate the last of them.  I need to keep that freezer stocked!!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!! Prayers for so many in need.

Love and many hugs to all....connie d

Hi Nancy and my OFF family:

So happy you do not carry the cancer gene. That's a good sign. Sounds like you had a nice holiday, too. I was fortunate that mostly wherever I lived, someone has invited me over for the holidays ... for many years, it was Wally and Margie when I lived in Montana and South Dakota. This year I'm going to my family's Christmas in the Chicago area, and we'll all spend a little time with Mom at the rehab facility. My brother said she will spend up to two weeks there and then be allowed to come home, but she will not be allowed to be alone again. Either she must have a full-time companion or someone must be with her at all times. I still think she needs to be in assisted living. I think it's too much for my brother to handle. But that's just my opinion.

Anyway, I got up later than I wanted today ... Slept til nearly noon. Guess I must have needed it. I need to get in the shower and have lunch before work.

Have a good day.

Nancy I am so sorry to read this about your pet...HUGS Yes you have a heart of gold for all that you do for people!!! CONGRATS on the NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

We are getting snow, blowing snow and its not fun trying to clean it up!!!!!! One snowblower is broke down another the rope broke so now they have to just start it but it has to be a full throtle to keep running!!! Guys not happy as they wroked on these machines and HAD them up and running good...until this heavy snow came!! There is about 2-3 inches so far...sighs.

Woke up this morning with blood in my right eye! Called the eye dr first thing they had a cancelation come in right away....off I went. Broken blood vessel. Dr put drops in it...one for checking to see if infection in it...none...the other antibiotic just incase. Go back in three weeks for eye exam and new glasses...need to ice my eye off and on today...looks awful!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!

Off work til wednesday now...yippeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok time for me to get ice on my eye again....thoughts and Prayers for ALL that need them!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!

HUGS