LovesLife

It's been awhile since I've checked in, so I just wanted to let everyone know I am doing well...7+ years later. It makes me sad to see how many people I knew here are no longer with us, but also inspired by the ones that are. I advocate for lung cancer research & speak about it to anyone who will listen. Life is great...my oldest started University this fall & my youngest will be following next year. I work part time (love my job) & hubby & I are keeping busy. I am so grateful to everyone who helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life...a special shout out to Deb who helped more than she will ever know & to Katie for making this possible.

Thanks Judy...miss you guys & so happy to see your smiling face!

Thanks to you both!!!

Hi folks...all is well with me-still read occasionally but life is busy, which is good. I have been advocating for lung cancer awareness & will be on the Edmonton news morning show on the 22nd of November. I have never been able to find a pearl/white ribbon & would love to wear one...any ideas where to find in Canada? Thanks for any help.

Yippee - I beat most of you here today! Morning Bud and rest of the crew. Last night hubby and I went to our friends house to watch UFC which was a blast. Unfortunately, the roads were absolutely miserable on the way home, especially the highway...just like a big skating rink and the snow was blowing everywhere. Today my plans are to stay in with the kids and relax (except for some snow clearing on the kids part!) Hubby is already at the shop working...he is a workaholic that guy. Bud, I so admire that you don't watch tv; however, I believe I am an addict. No hope for me whatsoever to reform. Hope you enjoy your lazy day. Have a good one folks. I'll check back in later. Oh, Lily you posted just about the same time as me so - good morning, we are both eating breakfast by the computer this morning. Mine is fruit, Bran Buds and yogurt - yours sounds good too! Linda

Awesome news Becky! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Linda

Hey Judy - just waiting for pizza to be delivered and then we are heading to friends to watch the UFC fight. Yes, train travel in Canada - only for the very affluent. I'm not certain why it is so expensive, but anyone I know that has travelled that way has lots of bucks to spare. They said that the cars are very luxurious, but I would rather RV it or take the plane as less expensive. That said, I guess if you win the lottery you can happily book train travel. RV'ing is very popular so there should be lots to choose from on that end. I was shocked at how little Eric has to pay for train travel - that is impressive. I took the train from Alberta to Ontario about 26 years ago and I certainly didn't find it to be that luxurious, but I'm pretty sure train travel is different today than it was then. That trip was a riot as I went with my baby sister - although we were young and single and drank through a good portion of Saskatchewan-lol! Anyhow, enjoy all the planning you guys - I find that all part of the excitement of a trip to look forward to. Linda

You guys are early birds for sure. Judy MI - I am a little ahead of you because I woke up at 9:30 am ... that is very unusual for me as usually up at 8 on weekends. We stayed up until midnight too - watching first season of Modern Family. My friend had told me how funny it was so I picked up the season yesterday - oh my, we laughed so hard. There were actually tears a few times from all of us from the laughing. I also love Criminal Minds, doctor shows, etc. One of my new favorite shows is Harry's Law (Kathy Bates). I can't watch reality tv - except for American Idol as my daughter likes that one. Judy KW - thanks for telling me about Hank & Gail. It is so wonderful that you are able to meet some of the people that you get so close to in this forum. Sandra and I talked about getting together often in our e-mails - our family even had a trip planned to Vancouver; however, regretably we had to cancel due holiday conflicts, so the visit never came to fruition. I still regret it to this day. Annette - working on the weekend - really?!?! Don't forget to ask for a raise soon...you are very hard working. Lily - I love to curl up with a good book too! Isn't it wonderful to be home, back into the familiar routines and sleeping in your own bed. I do enjoy going away, but I am such a homebody that I just love returning home. Canada has had a huge outbreak of bed bug infestations in hotels, etc. and that has certainly curbed our desire to be away from home. However, it was on the news the other night that they found bed bugs in the library in Edmonton - yeesh, now they are messing with my books...ridiculous! Mind you, the exterminators are rubbing their hands in glee all the way to the bank with these outbreaks. Truthfully, the whole idea of bed bugs creeps me out. Judy KW - I would LOVE to see you & Stan! Make sure that train trip takes you through Jasper - one of the most wonderous sights of the world ... the majestic mountains, the wildlife. Honestly, it is breathtaking. Bruce and I have never met either and it would be the perfect opportunity to all get together and share some laughs. Anyhow, guess I better shower and get on with the day. Hope you all have a good one. Linda

Judy - what a good idea. I will do a search and see if there is any within a reasonable distance from us. We haven't had a puppy in a long time (since the Rottie and we bought him 19 years ago-been gone almost 7 years-sigh)... we took Jasper when he was 8 as some people my husband knew were moving into town and he liked being on the acreage. I loved him so very much and only wish I had more time with him (the only downfall of taking an older dog ... not enough years with them). Our current dog is a blank-a-poo (Chiraz) and we got her when she was 2 from my previous hairdresser - she didn't like her that much and gave her to my daughter...she is the cutest, most loveable dog - can't imagine who wouldn't love her. I would like to have a dog that could be in the house though, as Jasper was our "garage" dog; however, he loved being outside when the weather was nice. With our harsh winters though, he was definitely in the garage when weather dictated and we always laughed that he probably bragged to all the neighborhood dogs that he had the biggest dog house of them all! So, a puppy isn't a necessity here, that's for sure. The only place I found when I did a search before was the lady that breeds in Calgary (the $2500 ones) and it sounds as though they are all gone before too long. She has a thriving business and actually interviews the buyer to see if it will be a good fit...that was impressive I thought. Anyhow, thanks for the good ideas - I will start researching that. Linda

Wow, you miss a lot when you come to the boards late! I received the early morning phone call that the school bus was not running today due to freezing rain conditions. I had a million things to do today (okay, a little exaggeration perhaps) so I drove my son to school. He wasn't really excited about that prospect - not too sure why? My daughter's school recommended not to come as they would just be watching movies so she went to work with her dad to earn some money (not really excited either - we aren't the most popular parents here today?) I pointed out to her that if she wishes to join her friend in Maui for a month (her family has a place there) this summer she better start saving some spending money. I guess thoughts of Maui brightened her mood as she was a little happier when she left. I could use some thoughts of a faraway destination; however, there seems to be no money left since we had kids? Anyone else have that problem? Oh well, good thing I like camping-LOL. I will have to live vicariously through Eric on his big trip through the States. Any and all pictures of the wonderful places you all live would be most welcome too! Judy KW-I wish I could get Travis to go shopping for things other than tools (he's like Tim the Toolman Taylor) or truck parts (boring!). Your shopping excursion sounds like fun - especially the eating part. I LOVE tacos so I hope you had some for me. I don't know who Gail and Hank are but I'm glad they are coming to visit and making you so happy. Ann - 80 today ... so, so, so jealous! Really!!! I hope I don't get rocks thrown at me but I don't watch football - so all you fans enjoy the game. As to the computer virus - that is sad! I'm glad your accounting was okay. The day I turned 49 my husband decided that a nice birthday present would be to lose 7 months of my Simply Accounting data. I worked 36 hours straight on re-entering ... not his best gift ever (I expected diamonds this year, but again surprised when NOT-lol) Judy MI - I can picture you snuggling with the dogs and watching all the wild life surrounding your corn drum. Sounds beautiful and cozy. I was entertaining the idea of getting a Labradoodle after our eldest 1/2 german shep/1/2 collie Jasper died of cancer and heart failure last fall. However, at $2500.00 for the dog I had to rethink the whole idea - the kids want to go to University and I don't think paying that much for a dog is feasible. We got a purebred Rottweiler for $800.00 many years ago - I can't believe how much dogs cost now. If I wasn't allergic I would just go to the animal shelter and pick out a dog ... stupid allergies. After the rottie and Jasper though, I realized I just can't handle feeling so crummy all the time. I don't think my lungs could handle it anymore either. Lily - sounds like a fun way to watch the game ... enjoy! Bud - the weather sounds somewhat similar our way - ice and then snow. Actually we had ice, rain, then the temp dropped to make the roads like a skating rink - calling for snow tonight. Enjoy your weekend close to home. Annette - you work too much - don't they know you are feeling crummy and just want to be at home in your jammies? Hope you get your prescription quick and feel better soon. Bruce - hope you got your chores finished and got a chance to enjoy some nice weather. Libby - did you get your nails done to match the jersey? Hope everyone has an awesome weekend. Time to think about getting supper ready. Linda

Barbara - I am so sorry to read about your sister Diana. She sounds like a true angel in every sense of the word and I can't imagine how painful it must be for you and all who loved her. I know it must be difficult that you didn't get a chance to say good bye; however, I am sure there was no doubt about the love that you all shared. What a wonderful tribute the service was to her life of giving of herself and helping others. I hope that brings some comfort to her daughter, and all the family. Wishing you peace and comfort in the difficult days, months and years ahead without Diana. Hugs, Linda

Morning! The weather outside is actually very nice for this time of the year. We are supposed to get another snow storm this weekend, but as long as there's no freezing rain it is doable. Judy KW-it sounds like you had a very nice birthday celebration. What a nice casual friend - sometimes even my close friends aren't that thoughtful?!? Can't wait to see the picture of you in your new hat! Hope Stan has a good fishing trip and you get your project in the BR closet done. Lily-glad you are home for a little while, and I am sorry that you have some unpleasant things to deal with on the horizon. Keeping you in my thoughts. Ginny - wow, the fireplace is leaking, buckets placed strategically and your car sliding down the driveway - not a pretty picture. I hope today is a much calmer day for you! Bud - I laughed out loud about the 5 mph up an icy hill - yes, what are people thinking? Are things calming down there at all? Judy MI - that automatic generator sounds like a good investment - I may talk to hubby about considering something like that. We watched "Snowmageddon" on the news last night and to see the blizzard with the thunder and lightening was definitely bizzarre. Hope things calmed down there as well. Bruce - wife wanted advertisement -too darn funny. Eric - sorry to hear about Sally and not getting this suspension issue cleared up; that must be so frustrating! The dinner out at the Italian food restaurant (my favorite food-yum) and music session afterwards sounds like great fun. Reading about your former student did actually bring a tear to the eye. It just goes to show how loved and respected you are. Everyone have a great day! Linda

Good morning! It is going to be a beautiful, non -40 day out today and I am rejoicing. Judy MI - how are things on your end? I was watching the news last night and it sounds as though this is a gigantic storm that is hitting a huge area. Hope you and Randy are hunkered down and safe - the mailboxes can be propped back up and I hope that's the worst that happens in this storm - just minor damage. Libby - yep, my line of thinking about the fishing rod was like yours (stick/spinny thing-all good) but I quickly found out this was not the case. BTW, I can ride my stationary bike for 30 minutes today; however, I think that probably equates to about 30 seconds of Bud's exercise! Oh well, I'll do it anyhow as someone pasted 2 pounds on my body over the last couple of weeks and it's time to fight back (perhaps the "someone" were the chocolate chip cookies my mom-in-law sent home with us a few weeks back?...I wonder who force fed me while I was asleep?!?) Stephanie - wow, sounds like a long day (with no pudding to chow down on). Hope you are feeling well today and that the side effects are minimal. Wishing you a relaxing day today Stephanie. Judy KW - glad the sun is shining and an outing is planned. My hubby Travis would have had to circle back to get his phone - I think if he ever did go without it he would be surprised the world was able to get by without him answering his phone. Is it your BD today? If so...Happy Birthday and enjoy the meal on stilts and the meal with friends tonight! Annette - I laughed out loud at your exercise regime. Perhaps my 30 minutes will be over doing it? Very sneaky on the neck exercise there. I don't think you would enjoy Alberta very much if you are cold when it is under 70. It is an oddity to get to 70 sometimes even in the summer-tee hee. Nah, not that bad, but still not balmy here very often. Yes, Judy MI - I am so happy to hear that the muscle spasms are history...what a tough road to get to that, but I am so glad you are there. Hope Eric enjoyed bowling. I love reading his posts - he lives such an exciting joyous life and it is so fun to live vicariously through him. Have a great day everyone! Linda

Annette - sign me up for the EVTB team (love it!). As to Ginny's question re: mascot - picture Bruce with the EVTB logo shorts & shirt, flip flops (I'll get those since Jimmy Buffet confiscated his) riding the llama...what a wonderous sight that would be. We would be a household name in no time! Look out Olympics - here we come!!! Oh yes, and I see how people try to count certain activities as exercise - I used to tell my husband that vacuuming was exercise (he laughed but I still believe that!) Bruce - message received about phoning for fishing rod - I guess that would be like clothes shopping for me. Good to know . Judy-umm, Bruce really has the art of gift giving doesn't he?!? Ginny-many of our friends are doing the same with cell phones being their only phone. We have a fax connected to our land line so it is out of the question for us. Also, my battery is dead half the time like yours. Bud - glad you drove to work ... although in bad conditions that can be just as dangerous. Drive safe and stay warm. Linda

Morning folks - sitting at a balmy -28C this a.m...hey, that's better than -35 anyhow! Thoroughly enjoyed our pyjama day yesterday ... today, fully dressed and ready to go. I will drive the kids to school, run a few errands and then return to work on business stuff here at home. Annette - don't mom's just have the best timing for phone calls?!? Mine seems to have a sixth sense about how to catch me at the most inopportune time - usually to ask if I've seen the weather report (as if looking outside isn't sufficient-I must hear it from her per the weatherman on the news channel!) Oh well, we love our moms dearly and they keep our lives interesting. Judy - here's just a woman's line of thinking - couldn't Stan just phone these places to find out if they carry that type of rod? I know my husband wouldn't do that - he would say "you never know what I might miss if I didn't go look myself" but ... just throwing it out there I certainly don't do that if I am going clothes shopping, but since we have an hour and a half drive to the city, rather than drive everywhere looking for a particular item, I call the stores ahead and if I find what I want I get them to put it on hold. It just saves us gas and time and driving aimlessly around the city. Anyhow, I'm sure it's all part of the "hunt" that is fun for Stan. Maybe he'll even surprise you and pick up some bags on his outing? Annette - forgive me for not knowing but, what is EVTB team? And ... I would like to see photos of Bruce in the get up you described ! Have a great day everyone. Linda