England 2011

Went to England to visit my family, and had a great time. We did some sightseeing as well. Went to Warwick Castle on Halloween, which made the castle that much more fun for us, went to Worcester to do shopping and visit the Catherdral, went to Stratford, saw Shakespears home, went shopping and to lunch.

The visit was more importantly to see my Nana who is 91. She is doing good, has all her memory and is able to share them which is so important. The downfall is her mobility. She doesn't like surprises on her door step as it takes a long time to answer the door, what she does like is all the phone calls I make to her every week. I have my cup of tea with her when I call, it's our time to sit and have a natter. I'm glad I've kept this connection with my Grandmother, as I will always have these memories that her and I continue to create.

It was very difficult leaving her and the rest of my family, since we are so far apart. Glad there is such thing as computers & phones, it makes the ocean seem that much smaller.

Common Sense

Found this saying today. Every wonder why people try and push their thoughts and beliefs onto you? It's annoying. I believe in what I believe in, no need to try and think that I'm wrong. There are people out there that think they know better (I like to call them know-it-alls). Imagine thinking that your better then others.....I think those people need to take a little closer look at themselves, because while their being so high and mighty, I'm pretty sure a lot is falling down around them. Remember it's not all book smarts, it's not all street smarts.........it's just all plain common sense! :)

Emmanuel Kelly The X Factor 2011 Auditions Emmanuel Kelly FULL

My daughter told me to watch this youtube video of X-Factor. She told me to listen closely to what the judges say at the end of the clip. It is a very touching story. "It makes everything you worry about so pathetic!" Glad my girl caught the message of this story, it makes me realize just how she thinks and feels. Love my girl!

Fuzion for Kidney's

Last night my instructor for Fuzion, Skye Bowen held a Fuzion Charity event where all amounts collected were given to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Approximately 50 people turned up to support my husband who suffers for kidney disease, and the foundation. It was wonderful to see the support we received from extraordinary people. Major emotions came over me, as I felt the support just by being in the gym with this generous and caring people. For not knowing people for too long, or even that personal it was touching to see this support. It certainly proves the goodness in people. All in all $535.00 was raised for the Kidney Foundation of Canada! Thank you to all who donated and participated in this event, you are truly amazing friends! :)

Longtime

Went to dinner with a friend of mine last night, haven't seen her since my parent's funeral and to be honest I don't remember much about who came (sorry to who are reading this). But I was so happy to see her, she gave me a kind of comfort that I can't explain. Let's just say she was my Mom's friend and I felt my Mom around us as we caught up, so happy to have done that, and looking forward to more time like that!

Finally

We finally received our call to go get the medical work up started for a transplant. We are very pleased to have this ball start rolling. Hopefully everything goes smooth and we get the results we have been praying for.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, a time for family & friends....always a difficult time to get through knowing my family get togethers are very small (just the 3 of us). It was nice to get a call from my god-mother to invite us to dinner with her family. Her family has always felt like my family since we have always been close. It was a nice afternoon evening, especially with the weather being as beautiful as it was, 29 degrees, at Thanksgiving, who would have thought!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

A Weekend of Romance Away in Jamaica 2011

What a wonderful 3 night, 4 day trip for me and my husband. It was a much needed weekend away, and with the wonderful friends that we are lucky to know and love we were able to sit back and relax and not worry too much about our daughter.

We stayed at Secrets St James in Montego Bay, such a beautiful resort, very Americanized was the downfall for us (we love the feel of Jamaica & the people this resort was lacking that). But by far it was a 5+++ star resort.

The mornings were hot and we went for breakfast, and lounged on the beach. The afternoons (2ish) it rained, thunderstorms, but it was still watm and we enjoyed sitting around the bar chatting to each other, which as many know is difficult with an only child around.

We really enjoyed out time together, as a couple once again.......working on our relationship is so important for the years to come, knowing that one day our child will grow up and move on, it's good to know that we love each other's company just as we need all those years ago when we met for the first time.

Cheers!

Labor day means The End of Summer"

It's Labor Day! Where did the 10 weeks of summer go? Leading up to summer I always am anxious about all the summer camps to choose from and the organizing of them all. But alas they are all over and off to Grade 6 my daughter will go.

What was done over the summer.....camps my daughter enjoyed was, adventures camps, horseback riding camps, cooking camps, animals camps and also at her friends house for a few weeks, and a week of family vacation.

Now tomorrow we start back to a routine, which is totally up my alley.....everything organized, afterschool activities, homework, just everything organized.

So as we celebrate Labor Day, we also celebrate "The End of Summer"....today was very cool outside (Fall like)......but I spent my Labor Day, organizing books and a backpack, cleaning the house, and just being home. I'm thankful for these days off, with nothing open, to make you do nothing or something around the house.

So as we bring on another school year, another fall season, I'm hopeful for calm, organized, sucessful school year.......hey, one can only hope and dream! ;)

The Kidney Foundation of Canada | La Fondation canadienne du rein - Welcome!

The Kidney Foundation of Canada La Fondation canadienne du rein - Welcome!

Florida 2011

We went to Florida for our summer vacation. It was during the week of our 15th Wedding Annivesary. We stayed at the Hilton Grande Vacation Seaworld, what a lovely place it was. We went to Universal Studios, Island of Adventures on the Monday. Tuesday, Ken was ill so we stayed at the condo all day. Wednesday was our Anniversary and we went to Seaworld where we had to rent a wheelchair so Ken could get around. It was a fun day and a memorable one at that. We went to Wolfgang Puck for dinner and Cirque Du Soleil. On the Thursday we went to the Aquatica waterpark, it was a hot day which was a good thing at the water park. Friday we drove to Tampa to Busch Gardens, which was our most enjoyable day of the week....we'd go back there for sure! Saturday was our last full day we went to Universal Studios again. Overall we had a wonderful family vacation, love being together and making memories to last a lifetime!

Goodbye Great Auntie Margaret

My Great Auntie Margaret passed away on Thursday July 28, 2011.....it's so sad, yet I'm sure she's in a better place with my Uncle Arthur, her husband of alomst 64 years. She was a wonderful woman, with so much love to give. She loved children, and they loved her.

She came to Canada in 1954 with her husband and 2 children, my cousin Terry & Pat. That family grew as they both got married and had children, and their children had children.

My Aunt Marg is who my Mom and Dad went to live with when they first came to Canada, they assisted them until they could get a place of their own. My parents had their kids and then we would spend Boxing Day together each year. This became a tradition for our family, we loved going to their home, the table was a pool table with a piece of wood like a tabletop and we all sat around, giggling and joking......always a great laugh. I loved playing with my cousins there. Auntie Margaret's stuffing was what everyone looked forward to!!! Those special times with Auntie Marg will be missed.

The tradition can be kept alive in the spirit of her and my Uncle with their children, and their chilldren's children.

Missing you Auntie Marg, forever in my heart, blessings to you as you journey to be with your maker. Love You! xoxo

The Give the Gift of Life Walk

http://fundraising.kidney.ca/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=bkLVKfOQLhK6E&b=6470727&sid=iwKVLfM1KgKZKfOQKqF

Please check out the above link and sponsor us as we walk in support of the Kidney Foundation for The Give the Gift of Life Walk

Kidney Class #1

Went to our first kidney class....can you say overwhelming!!!! It was a rude awakining for what is in store for my husband. My husband, daughter and I went to this class. We were taught all the forms of dialysis as well as the transplant options. Dialysis, is like picking the worst of evils, none sound great. And then you have to pick with one is best suited for your life, and as our daughter said, none of those options sound great, only the live donor option (which is the transplant) sounds good. Which I do agree!!!! The fortunate part is that we have some family members who are wanting to be a live donor, which is a bonus for my husband, providing the health of all the donors are good and are the best possible matches for him. We picked up the paperwork from the kidney clinic to provide our family with so they can read and make an informed decision.

So the trail medications end most likely in September....what does that mean exactly? He stops the medication and then who knows what......I guess we'll find out then. Our 2nd Kidney education class is in October, this will help assist the decision that we will need to make on the dialysis front.

It's funny how many people have brought up people they know who are waiting on a transplant, have had one or are on dialysis. It's encouraging to know that we have wonderful friends who can help us in our time of need.

Thank you friends, you mean the world!

My Great Aunt

I had an email today from my cousin about my Great Aunt Marg. She isn't doing to well, and it makes me very sad. She lost her husband almost 2 years ago, and she has been in a home. Over the past few years I've seen her only a few times, Christmas being one of the dates. It hurts me so that I haven't seen her as often as I'd have liked to. It's very difficult to see people get older, losing memory, etc. I think I'm almost afraid of the elderly, that doesn't sound right.....I think maybe more of if something happens to them while I'm there with them.

I saw one person pass away in my life, my Mom. And found my Dad who had already passed. Maybe that's what I'm frightened of, death.

I explained to my daughter tonight about the email just so I could prepare her, as she was very upset about my Uncle a few years back, and she said, "Mom it's the obvious, it happens to all of us one day." I thought wow, this is true, but yet so difficult.

So I pray for my Great Aunt Marg, who is and has always been a wonderful and loving person.

A Super Summer Start

Spent my day with my girl on her first day of summer vacation at Marineland. What an awesome day, what an awesome girl. We had fun from the time we left home until we got back home. Singing in the car and acting silly. Riding rides over and over again. Laughing all the time, was a feel good day! I love that even at the age of 10 (almost 11) she still will hold my hand. She even put her arm around me to say it was okay that I didn't go on one of the rides. Did I say she's awesome? Well she is! I was blessed almost 11 years ago with this amazing daughter who has a big heart.....thank goodness for Megan :)

Father's Day 2011

Father's Day, a day to celebrate that special man in your life, who created you, who raised you. On this day, I celebrate my Dad, who is no longer here to celebrate with, instead I celebrate who he was. He was a loving man, who cared for his family, worked hard for them, and loved them more then anyone would even realize. He was smart, handsome, & funny. He knew how to lecture you to teach you a lesson (boy did I learn). But more importantly he was MY DAD! He has been gone now for 7.5 years and not a day goes by without a thought of him. He left to soon for my liking, but things happen for a reason. I'm glad I had the time with him while he was on this earth, and even more glad that he was able to create memories for my daughter and form the special bond that only a Grandad and Grand-daughter has. Happy Father's Day Dad/Grandad! Missed and loved always! xxxooo

More On The Kidney

Ken went to the specialist on Monday. They kept him on the trail meds for another few months, we should know in September if the meds are being stopped then. The Dr is happy with Ken's overall health. His blood pressure is down, which is great!

In July we go for our first family kidney, dialysis and transplant information session. this will help us to understand even more of what we are to expect and what is exactly happening to the kidneys.

We spoke to the dr about interest of some possible donors, the Dr was happy to hear that. The Dr is going to have an overall health check on Ken, which should take about 3 months, to make sure he would be an approved receipient prior to going to the next step and actually testing the possible donors. The Dr said it could take 1 year to 1.5 years to get all the testing done and transplant completed.

As always wanted to keep you up to date on the latest in Ken's fight with his kidny, with all of your prayers and support he'll win this fight. Thanks so much for all your care and concern it means so much to all of us!

Mother's Day also means something as I am a Mom

After such a wonderful Mother's Day weekend with those who love me the most, and with whom I love the most, I finish on a collage of me and my daughter. She is someone who makes me smile, laugh, & who I learn from everyday. So happy she came into my life and that she is my daughter! Thank you for celebrating Mother's Day with me, and all of my life. I love you Meg

(the picture in the middle is form today May 8, 2011)

In Honor of Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, here are pictures of me and my Mom. The lady who gave birth to me, taught me compassion, love and fearlessness, made my life so filled with joy and memories, who was my confident, role model and more importantly my best friend. She is missed everyday, but with me everyday. She lives in me and my daughter. Always missed, always loved. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

What Happened??

It makes me sad to see how much she has changed in only 7 years....when you say 7 years it sounds like such a long time, but really isn't. In those 7 years she has brought so much happiness to our lives. Making us smile everyday, even when she is being naughty (as it reminds us of us when we were small). If I had to sum her up in one word it would be "JOY" as this is what she brings to our lives!

Kidney Disease

My husband was diagnosed with kidney disease 11 years ago. At the time he was being treated for fibromyalgia. His doctor had mis-diagnosed him. He had been losing weight like crazy, and was so sick. Couldn't put his hands above his head to put a shirt on, had difficulty doing a lot of things, and through all that time he missed one day of work.

But as the time went on he feel more and more ill. I decided that he needed to change doctors, to my doctor. Once we changed Dr's he was seen by my Doctor then sent within a week to a specialist, who sent him directly to the hospital for tests, when they came out with some results they said, "your kidney's are failing", and we didn't know what to think. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks, at which time we were expecting our first child. We were devistated.

After the 2 weeks of test, upon test, we were told her had Vasculitis, a disease of the blood vessels that go after different organs in your body, in my husbands case, it went after his kidney's. The disease at that moment was active and they needed it to go into remission, so he was on many medications, including prednisone, and cytoxin. We were told once he started cytoxin, we would never have any more children, which we both wanted more. (we had difficulty conceiving our first). So he started the medication and had a leave from work to try and get back on the mend. Things started to go well for my husband, the disease went into remission, and of coarse was seen by the specialist on a regular basis. This specialist in our eyes, was the "God" of specialists. A wonderful, suppostive, realistic doctor.

Since then my husband has had different illnesses, but has come through them with no problems. Today we went to the doctors as his creatnine level keeps going up and we found out that his kidneys are working at 15%, this means it's time to start thinking about dialysis and hopefully a transplant. It's a fightning thought, to have to make decisions such as this, life changing decisions. To look at him you'd never know anything was wrong. My husband really doesn't want to speak about the decision yet, as we need to go to dialysis and transplant education, and that is where reality will set in and the talking about this will start.

All I know is that I pray that somewhere out there is a kidney just for him, to help him, and our family. No one ever knows what life has planned for them, so please live life, enjoy life, and make the most of your time. Make sure you smile and laugh everyday, I'm sure that is the best medicine.

I'll keep you posted!

Barbados March 2011

We went to Barbados for March Break this year. A place in which I had dreamed about since I was in Garde 6, and my teacher was from there. Was it all that I thought it would be, not really. We did have a great time regardless wince we were together. The hotel was nice, the sun was warm and we were on vacation. Taking pictures galore, like I normally do. We went to Harrison's Cave and a tour through Barbados, saw where Rianna grew up, went catamaraning and swimming with the stingrays' and sea turtles.....an amazing experience. But we're back now, back to reality and thinking about where we'll go next, and what type of memories we will create.

Who would have thought

Who would have thought that me, Pauline would have started excercising? Not me that's for sure. A friend of mine introduced me to Fuzion, an excercise/dance class that keeps you moving. I started in January since Weight Watchers is just not enough anymore, I needed some movement, after one Fuzion class I was hooked, I went only once per week, and then I liked it enough to go twice a week. So wish me luck and please give me support for me to keep on going.

2011

Oh 2011 what will it bring? Well it will bring whatever you want it to bring, with effort from yourself it can be anything you want it to be. People look at a New Year to be there new start, a new start for what I always think. I believe it shoudn't be a New Year to change things, it should be yourself, that's where everything starts.

Family: Family time should be maintained all year through, not just at certain times. Make traditions all year through, not just at holidays.

Friendship: Maintaining friendship is difficult for some. Consistant effort to keep in contact is a way to keep the friendship alive and well, without you distance yourself from eachother. Making the time for your friends is extremly important.

Health: Looking after yourself all year round.

Happiness: With all of these above you should have happiness

Cheers to all of you who are our family and friends! xoxoxo