My First Mammogram

Well it seems I have crossed another bridge in the life of being a female. This morning I went for my first mammogram and I will admit I was very nervous. Over the years listening to women older then me tell me how much it hurts, that they squish the bejjebbies out of your boobies. I'll admit I was scared.

just a little background. I was having some discomfort on the right breast last December and it would come on and off since. Unfortunately I was not observant enough to say it was linked to my monthly periods. The doctor back in December could not feel anything unusual but felt a mammogram would be a good idea to just make sure.

Because the doctor did not find anything i was not in a huge rush so when my appointment was made for January I called and change it till today when I would be off work. I was scheduled for 8:20 am and arrived at the hospital for 8:00 am. A volunteer at the entrance walked me to the correct department and made small talk the whole way. I then was admitted within a few minutes and then asked to have a seat in the waiting room.

After about 15 minutes I was called and the technician was great, friendly, patient and kind. She even asked my if I could be pregnant (she thought i was young enough to still have babies!!! I love this lady) Yes a mammogram is uncomfortable (especially on my right side which is the side that has bothered me, but also cause I broke my collarbone as a teenager and the pressure on that was a little painful. The left side was not a big deal. After the 6 pictures in all were taken I was asked to put on my top and wait for the radiologist to have alook. About ten minutes later the technician returned and asked me to have a seat in the waiting room as they would like to also take an ultrasound of the right breast.

Yes my anxiety was raised but I tried to stay calm and tell myself it is better to be safe then sorry. Again after about ten minutes I was brought to a ultrasound room. A different technician this time but she as well was very nice and we chatted about vacations. She did the ultrasound and then left. After a few minutes she returned and said I was cleared to go home. I was told to call my doctor in a few weeks for results.

I was back home by 9:30 am. The husband and little one were not even out of bed yet! All in all it was 'no biggie' and my advice to all women who will be crossing the bridge at some point is to relax, don't pay much heed to the women who have been through it and go on about being squished flat like a pancake. Yes you will be squished and yes it is uncomfortable but I would take a mammogram over a pap smear any day!

So what is next. I did have a look at pictures of my breasts on the computer screen but really didn't know what I am looking for. I didn't see any dark masses (hope that's good) but I did see a white spot. One on each breast in approximately the same spot so hopefully that is normal. I will probably do a little Internet searching just to freak myself out. I was told to call the my doctor in a few weeks for the results. I am sure they say that to everyone but it did make feel better thinking it was no rush which meant they didn't see anything worrisome. I will do my best to put the thought of anything serious to the back of my mind and enjoy the next two weeks I am off work.

All and all benchers if you are coming to that time when mammograms will be part of your life my suggestion is to do it and not listen to much to the women who make a big deal about it. Its not the most comfortable thing in the world to do but either is going to the dentist but we know it is better for us in the long run.

Carolin

Rethink Breast Cancer - TLC

Just a friendly reminder!

Thanks to Rethink Breast Cancer. They are located in Toronto, ON. They have a great web site!

Enjoy!

Crosby's in the House

What an exciting night we had.

The little one, Aunt Sue, and my cousin Shannon went to a charity auction at the school I work at and where the little one attends. The auction had a lot of sports items, signed Jerseys, signed pictures, goalie masks etc. I am not a sports fan so they didn't interest me but I did bid on gift certificates to stores and restaurants.

When we first got to the auction there was a table set up with a framed signed hockey jersey from Sidney Crosby with photos of the winning Olympic goal. Again not my thing and its huge. anyway they had 105 playing cards glued on a board and you bought a card for $20.00. I noticed one family had bought 23 playing cards. The little one wanted to buy one. I explained to her that she would be buying a ticket from her own money and that she more then likely would not win. She said she understood but still wanted to buy a ticket. So a $20.00 bill was handed over and she wrote her name on one of the cards. We then went into the auction.

The little one found a item she wanted to bid on. I explained how the silent auction worked and told her what her limit was to spend. She put her bid down and was so excited when the table closed and she was the successful bidder. She was so happy she even cried a bit. It was very sweet to see.

At the end of the evening the Principal called all the kids up to the stage to help pull the playing cards of the board to find the winner. The family that had bought 23 tickets daughter went first and she pulled 5 tickets off. No winner, then two boys went and again no winner. It was the little ones turn and she pulled off a ticket and all of a sudden the Principal is getting excited. It seems she had pulled of the winning ticket. I quickly started to walk up to the stage as I was concerned about the excitement overwhelming her. All I new was she pulled the winning ticket but know one new who's ticket it was. Finally the Principal asks her if she pulled her ticket and she said yes. It was confirmed and then the whole audience went crazy. I quickly held the little one as she cried in my arms. I kept repeating "deep breaths". Once she was able to get herself somewhat composed she was brought to the front of the stage and cameras were flashing and there was clapping and cheering.

The rest of the night was a blur for her as people kept coming up congratulating her. It was a very exciting night for all.

Another Federal Election?

I have been following the politics of this week. It seems that Friday we will find out if there is to be another Federal Election called. This will be due to a non confidence vote by the opposition. How many federal elections have been held over the last ten years? It seems like quite a few. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the last election held for the same reason? Did anything change or get better? I have some questions. I will vote as I always do, however how do I decide my vote? Do I look at the qualities of the leader of the party? Do I just look at the policy of each party? Or do I look at past history?

How do you decide?

(Carolin) I know its not Friday. But I think by having so many elections in such a short period of time will reduce voters turnout. As it is a turn off to the people and by doing this the government then can do more with out the public knowing or even worse caring. I wonder how many people vote for the party leader, or for the party, or they vote for the person for their area. As we only get one vote but have to make three choices with that one vote.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...!

(Cathy) Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Wow, here we are on the twelfth day of Christmas, or Epiphany:
noun, plural -nies.
1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day. (dictionary.com)

It's after the last day of Christmas that I start to take down all of the Christmas decorations... by myself. Have you noticed that it's a family activity to decorate the home for Christmas, however, it's mom's job to take it all down and somehow get it all to fit again in all of the small boxes. How did that tradition evolve? I know,... it's counted as a physical exercise which will remove all of the excess weight gained over the holiday! After today....no more cookies!!!!!!

Unexpected Day Off!

The little one and I arrived at school this morning at 7:30 AM (our usual time) only to find the principal and three VP's standing outside the school on their cell phones. I looked at the little one and said, "something is up and it doesn't look good". Sure enough it seems the school had no hydro due to the big thunderstorm we had last night. We had a storm? Guess I slept through it! The staff were in the midst of calling teachers, and student's homes to tell them school has been cancelled for the day. I had my blackberry with me (when do I not have my blackberry with me?) and quickly posted it on FB and then sent emails, texts and phone calls to all the staff, and students I have numbers for. I was also given a list to call, I think I woke up a few parents.

After the initial rush I remembered I was expecting a delivery from my food supplier today. Fortunately, he arrived at 8:00 AM and was kind enough to drive to my house (thank goodness I live close to the school) and we unloaded my order and put it in our home freezer. I then went back to school and unloaded the highly perishable food from the fridges (milk, cheese, meat, eggs) and brought all that home to put in our fridge. I heard after the 1997,9,8 Quebec Ice Storm that as long as you don't open your freezer, everything is good for up to 24 hours. I though it best to leave the freezer closed.

I got home, put all away and then made some phone calls. I was fortunate enough to get the little one in to see our Doctor for a refill of her Epi Pen prescription and then off to let her have a little pampering at the hair dressers. She very much needed her hair trimmed.

The teenager sent me a text asking me to pick up a few things for her and in my rush I locked my keys in the car. I called the husband but of course he didn't answer his phone, he NEVER does. He actually doesn't deserve a cell phone, but we will save that rant for another blog. The hairdresser offered to call CAA for me, but I figured by the time they came the little one and I could walked home. So that is just what we did, we walked home and laughed all the way. We stopped to examine a beetle, took some pictures on my phone of the changing colour leaves. Sang a song, told some jokes and had a good old time.

Over all it was a great day. Yes, I made no money today, but on the positive side nothing was lost food wise. I was fortunate enough to get personal stuff done that I had been putting off for some time now and had a few laughs at it.

I even talked to Sunshine today and understand she had the day off as well. What a blessing for the two of us!

Carolin

The First Day

What a busy time of year, as Cathy has said in an earlier blog September is really the start of the new year. School starts up again, I am back to work etc....

Today the teenager was sitting at the kitchen table in her pajama pants and a hand knit sweater she has had since she was 8 years old and yes it still fits her. Anyway, she was talking about her plans for the rest of the day and what she would be doing tomorrow. It is a big day for our family as the teenager goes off to university tomorrow. Even though she will still live at home it is a whole new ball game for all of us. This past week she has said to me numerous times that she has changed her mind and wants to go back to high school, she is scared, nervous, petrified etc. Today when she was talking about there being a Starbucks on campus she looked so happy and bubbly and excited. She reminded me of when she was little and Christmas was just around the corner. I wanted to take the moment of her looking so young, happy, and full of excitement for the future and bottle it so when life gets in the way I could open up the bottle and pour some of that wonderfulness on her and she will be like she is today.

So though I will be back at work in my brand new commercial kitchen, and the little one will start her first day of being in grade five. The husband will be at work, I know his and my mind will be thinking of the teenager and praying her day goes well and looking at the time, counting down the hours till we can see her and hear all about the first day of university.

Carolin>

P.S. maybe I should come up with a new name for the teenager. The teenager sounds too high school I need something more grown up. Well, before I get ahead of myself let's see what the first week brings us.

Little Moment - Lost

(Cathy) Today, I was enjoying a nice time in my garden. I was watering my containers and just puttering around. As I was watering, I remembered a cute story and I thought that it would make a good post for our blog. I finished in the garden and booted up my laptop; I opened up a fresh page to write the post and ....... nothing! For the life of me I cannot remember what the, "cute little story" was. So, there you have it, little moment - lost! Has this ever happened to you?

September - The Start of Our Fiscal Year

(Cathy) I am sitting here looking out upon this cool, rainy day. I find myself using the time to plan the next few weeks. It's funny because as much as I look forward to the Labour Day Weekend, (as it will be the first time all summer that we ladies will be together with our families), it signifies the end of summer. When you think about it, growing up in Canada our personal fiscal year is September to September. Even when I speak with people who do not have children in school, they will still comment that September is the start.
We have two more weeks to get in all that we want before summer ends. Summer doesn't officially end until September 21st. We can still have amazing weather up until fall, but, once school starts it's plan, plan, plan. First up, Thanksgiving; next is Christmas!!!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

3D Television

Cathy here,

Just a thought. I was hearing the add on the radio for the new dance movie coming out in 3D. Just how long do you think it will take before 3D televisions are common in everyone's home? As the technology races along, will we still have to wear the special glasses?

That Running Guy: Brand New Machine in Kingston...Steve's home

(Cathy) I have posted this link to my cousin Chris's blog. It has the link to a page in a Jamaica newpaper with a bit about my cousin Steve........ nice life, eh!!!!


That Running Guy: Brand New Machine in Kingston...Steve's home

I have now completed two full weeks at camp and am exhausted.

Last night during the campers last chapel of the week there was this moment. You know the moments when you just know God is in the room. It was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

The pastor who spoke for the week had finished talking about his son Ben who passed away last August. It was touching because though I never met Ben I new his brother from camp and and worked with him for two summers. Also The Teenager had been receiving weekly emails on Ben's progress through out the year of his illness. Ben and his family have been in my prayers for a long time. And it was nice to meet more of the family. Anyway this weeks camp theme was Hero's and the Pastor spent much time talking about everyday hero's and hero's in the bible as well as what we know about heaven.

Last night he again talked about heaven and then he played a video of his son Ben telling his church family his testimony and I guess in a way saying goodbye. As Ben died ten days later.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK4P3axkhag

After the video is was quite and then Jacob (Ben's brother) started playing his guitar and sing. As he sang one of the younger campers got up and just started to dance. It appeared like she was floating around the front of the group. She was totally oblivious to the staff and campers watching her. She was just filled with joy of the Lord and the music moved her. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed in a long time.

It is these moments that make the long days and exhaustion worth it. To have a chance to watch the staff (teenagers themselves) share there love of the lord and influence these children.

God is Good

Why are there Traffic Jams?

(Cathy) I had to take the older one to our doctor for a check-up today. The appointment was for 3pm. It was raining so I gave us one hour and ten minutes for a 25 minute drive! I thought that would have been enough time with extra time built in. Well, we were not late, just exactly on time. We were at the doctors office for 30 minutes. The traffic was a lot worse going back home. Traffic in this city is nothing new. It's just that while you are sitting, idle you have time to contemplate the why. What causes traffic? Is it bad drivers? Is it a domino effect from one driver applying the brakes? When you think about it, if everyone drove at a consistent speed and respected turn signals and allowed people to merge we would all get to where we wanted to go a lot quicker. Do you agree?

We Got Accepted!

Finally the big white envelope has arrived. What felt like every other grade 12 student had received their big white envelopes of acceptance. We sadly had not, the teenager and I had broke down and discussed what her plan B would since it appeared she wasn't getting any acceptances.

But now it doesn't matter cause the big white envelope has arrived and written on the outside in huge red letters it says CONGRATULATIONS. So right away I text the teenager at school (yes I know I am not supposed to, but this is important)

Me: the mail just came with a big envelope from your first choice. It says in big letter on the outside congratulations. Can I open it and text u. Just so you know I had to text that Congrats was on the outside so she wouldn't get in a snit that I opened her mail
The Teenager: Yes!
Me: Can I call you? The texting takes me to long
The Teenager: I'm in class
Me: Your accepted with a scholarship! Houners Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media Studies!!!
The Teenager: YaaaaaaY!!! Re-close the envelope so I can open it when I get home
Me: Thinking ???? isn't the surprise over now, but I obediently put everything back in the envelope and try to make it look like it hasn't been frantically torn apart.

It has been a few hours now and every once and a while I look at the BWE (big white envelop). It actually brings a tear to my eye. She is growing up and after this summer things will never be the same. I am proud of her and know that this is the University she really wants to go to.

Once again my eyes veer to the BWE and I start to think why would they put a CONGRATULATIONS sticker on the outside of the envelope, doesn't it take the surprise away. But then it hit me the sticker is not for the applicant. Cause we all know that teenagers are not the one going out to get the mail (even when it is delivered to your front door). The only person in our house anyway who gets the mail is me. I believe CONGRATULATIONS sticker was put on for me. It was the Universities way of letting this crazy over involved, living vicariously through her daughter Mom know without breaking any federal laws of tampering mail that she is in!!!.

So to choice number one University, this mother says "THANK YOU".

Carolin

Saturday Morning with NOTHING to do

It's my first day of March Break and I got nothing to do. For all who are not familiar with what March break is, in Ontario a majority of the schools close for a week (in my case it is two weeks!). Many go away for the week, Florida being the hot spot. Actually if you have ever been to Florida during March break you might think you had made a wrong turn as all the car licenses plates are from Ontario. Our house discussed going away, we were looking into going out west to Vancouver and visiting my brother, but the husband could not get the time off. But anyway I digress back to me...

This is the first Saturday in a very long time where I don't need to plan, shop and cook for the upcoming week of school cafeteria lunches. I am at a loss as to what I should do with myself. The teenager is away for the weekend snowboarding up north, the little one is content staying in her pj and watching Saturday cartoon. I am not sure what the husband is up to and actually not even sure if he has to work today. So what do I do with myself?

I was thinking of going through family photos as I would like to create a wall of family photos for our bedroom. Or I could organize my work signage and have it laminated (boring) or I could drive over to blockbuster and get some movies and lay on the couch with a bag (OK two) of ruffles potato chips. Or I can curl up with my stack of books and get some reading done. As I look around I do notice the kitchen floor needs to be washed that's a possibility (a slim one).

Benchers send me a comment and vote on what I should do with my time off.

1. Organize photos
2. Organize work papers
3. Watch movies and eat potato chips
4. Read a book or two
5. Wash the kitchen floor.

Carolin

P.S. I could head over to Walmart and just take my time wandering the store looking for nothing in particular.

What's your name again?

Hi everyone!

It's me, Cathy. I have been noticing lately that I have been forgetting things. I have always been proud of my memory, but it has begun to let me down. The worst is names. People with whom I have worked with for years will see me and call out, "Hi, Cathy....how are you doing?" I plant a big smile on my face and call back,"Hi, good to see you! Have a great day!." After we have passed I struggle to think of who the heck it was! I must know that person....... they looked very familiar....what is their name!!!! I will walk about 100 paces, going through the alphabet, A...no...B...nah....C...maybe, nope, and so on until, finally, it clicks! Then I feel stupid. How could I have forgotten that name?
It's not just names, either. I really need to write things down, in list format. I still use a PDA, (palm pilot). I love it! I note down appointments, birthdays and even grocery lists grow as I can add to the list as I think of things we need at the grocery store.
A very kind colleague commented to me once that my memory is still fine. It's just that with kids I have an abundance of 'stuff" I need to remember, on top of the things I did before. I thought it was very nice of him to say that......... now if I could just remember his name??

A Christmas Memory

When I was young my grandparents had the most beautiful Crèche I had ever seen. Each Christmas season they would set up Wiseman, multiple animals, a Sheppard, Joseph, Mary and of course the most precious baby Jesus you have every seen on their console TV. . I loved this nativity but alas I was never allowed to touch it.
“It is too special,” my grandmother would say.
“It's cost was too high for a child to touch,” my grandfather would grumble.
But I, when know one was looking would sneak a cuddle with baby Jesus.

I was reminded of this memory just a few short weeks ago while out shopping at Costco with a friend. There they had a Nativity scene all set up. It had everything as I remembered my grandparents having, but was even more beautiful. The Wiseman wore what looked like spun gold robes. There was a Sheppard and animals galore. Joseph's clothes shimmered in the light, Mary glittered in all her holiness and baby Jesus, well, and he was the most peaceful baby you have ever seen. This Crèche brought back all the memories of my childhood Christmas’s. I could invision just where I would put it. I would set it up on the beautiful fireplace mantel my late brother had made us. I would place each piece lovingly in their spots and of course give baby Jesus a quick cuddle. I would make sure it was far enough back so little hands would not get too close. There it could sit in all its glory and we could all admire it from afar. I looked at the price of the Crèche then at my cart of groceries, trying to decide just what we really didn’t need so I could buy this most beautiful Christmas decoration. But, I didn’t see any way to convince my family that we didn’t need to eat for that week. So suffice it to say I went home with a bag full of milk, eggs, cheese and chicken and no Crèche.

Last week I decided it was time to get the Christmas decorations up. So up came the boxes from the basement and the job started. My youngest daughter came home from school and saw the boxes.
She excitedly asked “is my favorite decoration out yet.
“Not yet” I said.
Then again on the second day she came home and asked, “Is my decoration out yet”. “Not yet” was my reply.
Finally, on the third day she came home just as I was at the bottom of the last box. And there it was. We together lifted out the box, which was getting tattered from over 20 years of Christmas and a few kids. We carefully unwrapped each figurine. Then found the manger and she set up her favorite Christmas decoration, the nativity scene. I watched her work and was reminded of the Crèche I admired just a week ago. Ours was a third its size. There was only one animal left. All the Wiseman have had their heads glued on more times then I care to count. Joseph's coat had lost all its shimmer from one two many little hands and Mary no longer looks holy with a chip on nose. Baby Jesus has lost all of his peacefulness, actually he no longer had any paint left on his face. I guess it was one too many cuddles. I watched for a few minutes more then gave a sigh and walked away.

Later on that evening I found the youngest laying on the floor playing with Joseph, Mary and Jesus. I looked at her cuddling Jesus, and it was then that it hit me.

The miracle of my Lord's birth was not gold spun, or glimmery and shinny. He was born in a simple stable He was born so all my chips could be mended, to heal me of my brokenness. Jesus came to earth to cuddle Me, to make me feel wanted. He came to earth so I could live, not to be admired afar but to be touched and played with, and loved.
My grandparents have since past away and I don’t know what ever happened to their Crèche. But I now know that my ‘discounted, after Christmas sale’ Crèche bought so many years ago is the most beautiful Christmas decoration my family owns.

The Little One Pass' Another Milestone

I am sure I am like many other parents. I marveled at each milestone that my children reached. The first smile, first tooth, first step, first word, you get my drift. Well this past weekend the little one hit another one.

Now at 9 years old you don't expect much in the 'write it down in the baby book' events but alas at Walmart we hit another big one. One that just tells us though she is our baby she is NO longer a baby in world of commerce. We had been shopping (even got a few Christmas gifts!) and then went to McDonald's for some lunch. While the husband scored us some seats the little one and I waited our turn in the line. I have been to the golden arches enough to know the husbands order Big Mac meal deal and of course my own Quarter pounder with cheese meal deal. But each time we go I have to ask the little one if she wants a cheese burger or chicken nuggets happy meal. She is always switching in up so I am never sure. While this time when I asked her she replied she wanted a Big Mac! I tried to hide my surprise and tell her that they didn't have Big Mac happy meals so she would not get a toy if she ordered the Big Mac. She was thoughtful for a minute or two then said she made her decision and wanted the Big Mac.

So I ordered a Big Mac and she could just share my fries. Once we sat down the husbands eyes bugged out when he saw her with the biggest burger she has ever had. She started on her burger and though the middle bun kept slipping out and the special sauce was everywhere, she was Loving It! After sometime she finished the burger had a big smile on her face and then promptly started to groan that her stomach hurt. We laughed at her and told her next time she should slow down.

We finished our lunch and I was cleaning up the table as the husband and little one got their coats on. As I watched them start to walk away there was a small tear in my eye. My baby is growing up. Never again will I find pointless hunks of plastic of the latest movie in my car, no more Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglier, or Grimace. :(

The Little One Meets Her Author Hero

Hopefully a you will remember a few blogs ago, when I talked about the little ones obsession with the book titled No Time For Goodbye, by Linwood Barclay. Well this past Sunday the husband and I took the little one to the Mississauga Literary Festival. She was so excited to meet him.

Let me tell you how we met him, because as in my usual fashion I can't do it gracefully.

We got to the Living Arts Centre about 15 minutes before Mr. Barcley was due to speak. I had to go to the washroom and was about to walk in the ladies washroom when I saw this guy walk out of the men's washroom. He looked very familiar so I made a U turn and went back to the little one and started flipping through her book to the back where the authors picture is. When the man saw me he finished drying his hands and looked around for somewhere to toss the paper towel. Buy that time the little one had seen him and had a big smile on her face as she recognized him wright away.

He was very gracious and talked to the little one and signed her book. By this time his handler was trying to get him upstairs so he could begin his talk. But then two press people for the library came over and they wanted to take pictures of the two of them for... actually I don't know what it was for. The husband signed the release and I never asked. Then I realized I needed to take a picture, so I dug around in the massive backpack I carry when the little one is with me. Finally I found the camera and tried to take a couple of shots. I am not very camera smart and it took me three tries to get the one shot as I kept pressing the power button instead of the 'take a picture' button.

Mr. Barcley was very patient with me, and we all eventually made it to the second floor to listen to his 20 minute talk (was supposed to be 30 minutes) but it seemed he was running late!

Gosh, guy gets a best seller and then time doesn't seem to matter anymore. :) the little one is thrilled with her personal autographed book.

THANK YOU GOD FOR ALL OF THE SWEET SMELLING ROSES

Sometimes life gives us such sweet smelling roses which are right in front of us but we don't take the time to see them or smell them or allow ourselves to enjoy them. We can very easily tend to only focus on the unending lemons rather than the sweet roses. Yet if the roses disappeared, we would have absolutely nothing left. My roses come in the form of great kids and a loving husband. Amongst those sweet smelling flowers are great family and friends.

We can look at the lemons and wonder how you can make lemonade or you can embrace the sweet smelling roses in your life and be thankful for their existence.

Take time to smell the roses.