Merry "After" Christmas

Happy New Year! - 10 days late.

Christmas was fantastic this year; quiet and peaceful - just the way that I enjoy it. December, however, started off in a whirlwind - starting with the birth of my new little Niece Kaylee - She is such a little adorable cutie I wanted to steal her and run home; but I'm sure my brother would have tackled me and would have threatened to spit in my eye if I didn't pass her back over. She looks so much like Ryan (Even the high forehead...that child will need to grow bangs ) although I'm sure Mommy will surface as she grows older *She turned 6 weeks yesterday*. Of course she was born a bit later than expected, and up until she was born I had every weekend free and clear to make the speedy trip over to PEI for the meet n great, however she had her own plans and on November 29th she graced this world - and I was heading to Boston the following weekend....talk about "bad" timing ;)
Boston was fantastic, we took a couple of extra days and made it a long weekend together - NFL Football (Pats vs Colts), shopping (Wrentham Outlet Mall) and Uggs x 3. It was great to get away as Mr. Fidler was super busy over the month of November, being a one-man show so we didn't see much of each other with our conflicting schedules. I didn't purchase all that much for ourselves, beyond my Uggs, but oh my did we spoil our nephews & neices to the max! OshGosh, Uggs, Nautica, Nordstroms!! They are now decked out with all new clothes, and of course I couldn't forget the toys. This vacation was a bit of a "fly by the seat". We had a few hotels book for our stay but Friday night was up in the air - my Husband the worlds greatest compass decided for us to stay in Rockport, MA for the night - he knew the direction and we just started driving, no map and no internet - and after 30 minutes of driving we found our location and our hotel for the night. Fantastic! The next morning the lil'town of Rockport was having their annual tree lightning ceremony - the town was a buzz of activity! We purchases some of the cutest christmas tree ornaments and had breakfast at this little diner that made the best eggs I've had in a long time. It was such a gorgeous little town - a must go and see if you are ever in the area.

I know, I'm about to talk about the Weather - as a Maritimer it is my god given right to do so.... It has been fanastic this year, we have had only one snow storm followed by warm temps and rain (bye bye snow) - we received about 10cm prior to Christmas (Yippee! White Christmas) and now there is just a light dusting covering the ground to help elimiate the ugliness of the dead grass...and they are calling for rain and 7 degrees tomorrow. I know the real cold weather will find us eventually but having this type of weather in January is suiting me just fine.

I know I don't post as much as I use too - I also don't have time to bake or to be online as much as I did when I was online almost 24/7 - I prefer life this way, busy and active. (Speaking of active, I can't tell you all how much I love Yoga!).

Well my office is becoming a buzzing little community of patients - so I best get my 'work-face' on and get something done (Although I Do look busy typing up my blog entry)

Washed away by the rain

I'm sitting at my desk, looking out amoungst the PMQ's and playground equipment watching the rain fall silently - I find it weird and a little eerie not to see any kids out running around or jumping in the newly formed puddles. School is back in session; Autumn is right around the corner. I for one, love Autumn - the crisp morning air and the changing leaves leave me in a constant state of pure giddyness. I can't wait to pull my comfy leather jacket and scarf from the closet and spray my Uggs for another season of slush, snow and sleet. Wait...okay I'm letting the seasons get ahead of me; it was 32 degrees with humidity yesterday; I was still laying outside catching rays. (I actually have a tan this year!!).

Life has been good, per usual - Hughie and I finally had a week away from the Valley, we spent a week in Toronto (Buffalo & Niagara Falls) visiting Hughie's Brother and Sister-in-law (aka my Brother in law and Laura!)It was a fantastic week - although like always, we didnt' get a chance to see everyone that we would like. We are hoping to get down for a weekend in February, where we will sound the alarm nice and early that we are coming so we can work around people's work & life schedule.

*Side note: Never EVER go into Buffalo and stay on the US side of Niagara falls - it was basically "Jane and Finch". We were warned almost immediately by our bellman not to walk after dark and/or walk past a certain point in the daylight (needless to say it was only a block away from the Sheraton). He also pointed out that our housekeepers had "sticky fingers". Yikes!! Needless to say we were planning on staying two days, we made it one night! However, I will say the shopping at the outlets was fantastic.

My Brother is doing fantastic. He had his Esophagetcomy (*See bottom for description) surgery on the 15th of July, 4 months from the day he was diagnosed with Stage III Espophageal Cancer. He is on his second last chemotherapy dose (3 prior to the surgery and 3 post surgery), and while this is a lot harder than his first three doses prior to the surgery he is being a trooper and my hero for how he is managing this. On a happier note, his girlfriend and him are going to be having a little wee girl in the upcoming weeks - she is 34 weeks along and is feeling as uncomfortable and irritated as she has since her first trimester.

Well, there ya have, my last 4-6 months described in a couple of paragraphs - patients have started to grace my waiting room so I best get to work!

Happy Autumn!


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Esophagectomy --

The principal objective is to remove the esophagus, a part of the gastrointestinal tract ("food pipe"). This procedure is usually done for patients with esophageal cancer. It is normally done to remove cancerous tumors from the body. It is best done when an esophageal cancer is detected early, before it has spread. If taken up early enough, an esophagectomy might prove to be life saving. Despite significant improvements in technique and postoperative care, the long term survival for esophageal cancer is still poor. Currently multimodality treatment is needed (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) for advanced tumors. Esophagectomy is also occasionally performed for benign disease such as esophageal atresia in children, achalasia, or caustic injury.

Classification --There are two main types of esophagectomy.

A trans-hiatal esophagectomy (THE) is performed on the neck and abdomen simultaneously.[1]
A trans-thoracic esophagectomy (TTE) involves opening the thorax (chest).

In most cases, the stomach is transplanted into the neck and the stomach takes the place originally occupied by the esophagus. In some cases, the removed esophagus is replaced by another hollow structure, such as the patient's colon.

After surgery, patients may have trouble with a regular diet and may have to consume softer foods, avoid liquids at meals, and stay upright for 1–3 hours after eating. Dysphagia is common and patients are encouraged to chew foods very well or grind their food. Patients may complain of substernal pain that resolves by sipping fluids or regurgiating food. Reflux-type symptoms can be severe, including intolerance to acidic foods and large, fatty meals. Jejunal feeding tubes may be placed during surgery to provide a temporary route of nutrition until oral eating resumes.

I didn't disappear.....at least not on purpose.

I have to apologize for the lack of updates - I've been looking at my blog for the last month wondering if I could spare a moment of "Downtime" to type up a legit blog instead of a quiz or a two liner. At this moment, I really should be working as I'm sitting here at work, however, with going to bed with a impending cold and waking up with a sore throat & ear pain my will to work has dissipated.
Things are pretty much status quo for Hughie and I - we are both "enjoying" our work. I hang out with a great group of people for 40-hours a week, and some days if I can look past all the unwell people, it is almost not even work.
We are slowly fighting our way through the spring yard work. I have about another day of leaves, needles and branches to clean up (Yes I do the yard work, I find it very therapeutic) So hopefully this weekend I will be able to work my way through spring cleaning my house on Saturday, and on Sunday after a couple days of drying time (+++rain) I will be able to complete the yard. I'm just hoping this cold will go by the wayside so I will be able to complete my list.
So, we didn't' do a spring vacation this year, it was on our to do list but we couldn't get things to line up as well as other years. However there was two main issues that kept holding us back, 1. We kept judging everything up against Ladera; in St. Lucia which was a mistake to do as it was a 5 star resort and our dream vacation and 2. My brother (26 years old) has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophageal/Stomach & Lymph node Cancer. The latter has taken my very straight and narrow life and flipped me ten ways from Sunday. He is currently receiving his second round of treatment with an impending surgery to take place in June/July. He looks fantastic and has a very positive kick ass attitude, so I'm sure everything will be good to go and he will have a clean bill of health before long.
So somewhere between visiting the Island, (Prince Edward) and hiding in needles and leaves I haven't found the time to update my blog. I'm thinking about doing some major blog upheavel, changing around my site, but first I have to find the time to get it done.
I wish there was 8 days a week.....

Tenderized

Do you know when you take a piece of meat or chicken, place a piece of waxed or parchment paper over top and pound the living snot out of it to make it all tenderized...well that is how I feel this morning. Since moving home, I have been running approximately 7k-5 days a week - it has been great to have that alone time at the end of a busy day to clear my head before I step into "wife" mode and make supper and spend time with Mr. Fidler, however, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. So either A. I could join a gym and waste my money - since that would mean I would have to force myself to jump in the car and drive to the gym..work out, then drive home or B. I could find myself another aerobic work out video that targets the core. Well I decided on "B". It is definitely cheaper than a gym membership. I did some search online and after careful research I decided on two DVD's "Jillian Michael" 6-week abs and "something" Yoga (Can't remember the name since I haven't pulled it out of the wrapper). So last night, after I got home from work I pulled off the wrapper and popped it into my dvd player and hit the play button. 35 minutes later I was a piece of meat..I could have wrung out my ponytail...I did manage to jump on the ellipitcal for a 25 minute run..a couple of K; but that was all my poor body could take. Now this morning, just as the title says I feel like I've been attacked at the core by a blunt object. (I don't recall what those meat tenderizer mallets are called). I haven't tried the Yoga DVD yet, however, I think that will be a weekend DVD - since I don't run on the weekend (unless I miss a day during the week), I would like to do something to center my body and mind....

Stay tuned folks - I just purchased a new Dyson Handheld and a review of this new item is coming!

Tag, you’re it.

I normally don’t really have any real need to do these little games.  However I was tagged…but it will not go any farther than this blog; cause god forbid someone feels the need to waste a couple of hours….or minutes of your day.  Sigh,  without further ado:

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?

Chakotay (7) was my first “on my own” pet -  A Sib-husky, with all the charateristics of one to boot.  He loves to sook for attention and rubs up against you when he knows you are wearing black, however he is my fur-son and love him regardless of his fasination with wanting to turn my clothes into a hairy mess.

Sekaya (2.80) is a little white princess (Sib-husky) with bright blue eyes, who scare the pants of people when her eyes glow red when the light hits them the right way.  She is the polar opposite of Chakotay however when she curls up with you on the couch with her head in your lap all just seems right with the world. 

They are my fur-kids I would protect them as a mom would protect their sons or daughters.    I just wish people wouldn’t give me that “look” when I say I have fur-kids not real kids….

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?

Dreams are only meant to come true in your dreams. 

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?

This question is just a bit “out there” but…I would pay off all my families/mine debts and settle down in some field, build a dream home and a husky sanctuary!  (and go to every Canuck game!! Go Lu!)

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

Running!

5. What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?
Fur-kids……Well first I let them outside on their leads – and hit the washroom and do all the normal stuff…plus remove my contacts and brush my teeth – take the pooches in and then give them their evening treat – cause if I forget that step, they won’t let me go to sleep.

6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?

Married and through a mutual (not anymore) friend. 

7. What kind of books do you read?

I’m a avid reader, and will spend hours reading without really realizing that hours have past.  I love Romance/Adventure/Science Fiction and plan ol’ Jane -Fiction…

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
I rather not look into the future, instead I enjoy what I have today.

9. What’s your fear?
I don’t believe I want to face my fear today, therefore I won’t list what it is.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
Damn straight – what an opportunity.

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
It snooze once, and then meander out of bed – cause if I don’t get a move on fast enough I have two fur-kids staring at me doing the “tip tip tip tip” dance with their nails.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?

That he would put his dirty dishes in the dishwasher…

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I love my name, however I would love to have a Celtic name….I’m not fussy.

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
LOL I lived without sun and rain for about that same amount of time….and replaced both with snow…. so I’m not fussy about what type of weather I’m dealing with.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Spinach salad with poppy-seed dressing w/strawberries/raspberries/cheese and chicken…yum

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
I use to love blogging since it would eat up at least an hour of my day, and while living in the North it allowed me to keep my friends and family up to date about my daily life.  However, since moving down South I really don’t spend near the amount of time I once did…I rather miss it, but…I really don’t have that hour any more.

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Salty – give me a Almond over a piece of Chocolate anyday!

18. What items are in your purse right now?
Aleve, hand cream, lip gloss X 2, A spare necklace, a couple of set of keys …..and the usual purse stuff.

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
I had the best of both worlds in St. Lucia, we were on the side of the mountain but a short car ride to the beach.

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?
I don’t really watch anything outlandish…. plus I’m old enough to watch pretty much anything I want too.

There you  have it, my first official post in 2011. Sad really that it has taken me almost 2 months to find the time to sit down and post – and it was a “filler”.

Happy first day of Winter!

and...it is downpouring rain!

I'm very disappointed in the weather as of late. You would think, that after living in the GWN for two years I would be pleased with the mild wet weather. Don't get me wrong I'm glad that I'm not wearing three layers of clothes but I would love to be wearing at least one 'extra' thermal layer. I've been hoping, fingers crossed,that we would have at least a white Christmas. However when I started my car this morning my temp gage registered a balmy 4 degrees...no snow today!

I'm as ready as I can be with regards to Christmas - our tree is lined with decorations and presents adorn the floor beneath it. The dogs walk by the tree daily and give each present a little sniff, much to their chagrin their presents are not wrapped this year, but waiting for their stockings to be be hung by the fireplace.

I meant for this to be a longer Christmas related post - however work is beckoning for my return so I must go.

Once again you find me sitting at my desk at work drinking a XL-Christmas Cup of Tim Horton's. December has snuck up on me this year, I've known it has been coming for quite sometime although for some reason while I was rolling over in bed this morning to slap my alarm clock I caught a glimpse of the letters D.E.C on my Blackberry...and that seemed to freak me out a little. This time last year, while I was dealing with the bitter cold, I had at least a couple feet of white snow on the ground. Everything looked fresh and clean. I love the Autumn and the leaves but now I'm just ready for that powder to fall from the Sky to give December that magical feeling. I have so much shopping to do over the next couple of weeks I don't know where to begin. My nieces and nephews shopping is finished and that is all that I have completed. Thankfully I know what I'm getting everybody else, it is just a matter of driving to either New Minas or Halifax to purchase those thought-up purchases.

One thing has been bothering me lately and that is how often that I've been blogging - trying to find the time to sit down and type out how my life is doing is quite hard considering that all my family and friends are so close; and I update my life frequently on facebook or pick up the phone. I'm contemplating closing down this chapter of my life albeit keeping this blog around so I can read about my life in the north, and anyone else that may happen to find it. I'm not 100% sold on the idea of ending a three year portion of my life but I rather hate blogs that lay dormant for months with only the odd little post here and there about nothing particular (Just like this post is turning out to be). That is one big question I dwell on...Southern life isn't as exciting as moving to the unknown North.
People know how to live in the South.

Christmas Countdown
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24-days!