Kelowna

Unexpectedly we've had to take a trip to Kelowna. Troy's Dad was diagnosed with some kind of Lymphoma cancer back in November. It was a very slow growing strain of it, and it was found during a routine annual physical. He had no symptoms of the cancer. Since then, he's been fine up until about 2 months ago. First he got a cold he couldn't shake, and then he started to lose his energy. Finally they went to the hospital to see why he could not make it up the stairs without being completely exhausted. They found he had lymphatic fluid in his lungs.

They admitted him to the hospital, and began to drain the fluid. That is when Troy flew out to Kelowna about 2 weeks ago. During that week he was in the hospital he had many tests done, and also found out that he'd acquired another strain of cancer (so now he has 2 types of cancer in his body). The slow moving one is still there, but it was also branched out to a very fast moving cancer, which is now at stage 4. (Cancer is diagnosed from stage zero, which has no symptom's, to a maximum of 4 which is the worst of course...that's what Troy's Dad has now.

As soon as he was diagnosed with this fast moving cancer, they decided to start chemo the following day. This past Friday he started to have intense pain in his lower abdomen. He was sent in for a cat scan, when the found out that he'd gotten a hole in his intestine. He was immediately sent for an emergency surgery to repair the hole. While there on the operating table, they almost lost him, and during, they had to call in some extra doctors to help stabilize the situation.

Following surgery he was in critical condition, and so of course, Troy and I have come to Kelowna. Troy's brother Jason and his wife Shannon are also here. Darren & Nicky are ill, and since Dad's immune system ws destroyed by the chemo, he can have no one around him with any hint of illness, as doesn't have the immune system to fight it off.

Anyways, today hopefully is the day when we'll find out what the new course of action is, to fight off this fast moving cancer. As the chemo didn't work with Dad's body, who knows if it will continue to put holes in his intestine, so we don't know if they'll prescribe more chemo.

Anyways, please keep him (Doug) and Troy's Mom(Rena) in your thoughts and prayers. Please also keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It is awful to see a parent in such a state as he is in.

thanks all, I'll try to keep you posted.

Forgive Me

So many of the pics below are sideways. Sorry, I don't know how to change that. They are the right way in my iphoto, so I don't know what happened. :)

If you can't tell, I'm very excited about our new place. June 15th seems like FOREVER away, but I guess its only 51 days. That's a long time. Yuck.

Tomorrow my Mom & I are off to the West Ed Mall. I'm excited! Shopping is fun! :)

Nothing new really going on with us, Troy's Dad has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I think its lymphatic...but I'm not exactly sure. He's undergoing some very intense chemotherapy right now to battle this off. Please keep him in your prayers. His name is Doug. However on an exciting note, he became a Christian this week...after years and years of prayers of his family members. Praise God.

Anyways, I'm watching Dr. Phil with my Mom, and its a great one...its getting really heated! Tehe!

BYE!
S

More Pics

Going To Get My Husband

I'm up and ready. I'm waiting a few more minutes before I go pick Troy up from the airport. Troy's Dad is very sick, and is in the hospital, so Troy flew out to Kelowna on Friday morning to be with him, and Troy's Mom. He's coming back this morning and although its only been 2 days...its strange how much I missed him. I was bored...I couldn't find anything to do (not that I tried extremely hard). Anyways, I'm thrilled he's coming home today. His plane gets in at 8:59am...and so I shouldn't leave for about 20 more minutes. :)

We are so excited about our new house. I'm going to post another photo...we're going to take a drive by there this morning, and I think we're going to get another viewing when my Mom gets here next week! :) YEAH!

Re. Our new Home

Sorry this new format for blogger on my Mac is weird, and I haven't fogired it out yet. Anyways..despite feeling sick, this past Monday evening we made an offer, and purchased a home. We saw several places, and when we opened the door to this one...I think both Troy & I knew. Its a beautiful (as you can see) townhouse in Renfrew. Not necessarily what we were looking for...but still considered inner city. Its a great place. 3 bedroom, 3 full bathrooms, stainless steal appliances, oak hardwood floor, oak cabnets, built-in cabnetry, built in whole house stereo, gargage, etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on. Its beautiful. We take possession on June 15th...so only 65 short days. :)

Its hard to really get excited about it when I'm feeling so terrible, and I'm so glad we'd agreed to go out looking because we had another competing offer as well...so we had to make our offer a good one. I'd made the arrangements with our realtor to go out on Monday night prior to being sick, and then once Monday rolled around, I felt semi-ok, and unfortunately for us, the next couple weeks were supposed to be booked. Troy's Mom was supposed to come (not I don't think she's going to), then my Mom is coming...and then we're already into May...so...we figured we better get looking. Good thing we did, or we couldn't have bought this gem.

So whether dumb or not, the offer we gave was not conditional, so its actually already sold. :) YEAH.

Both of us are thrilled...and can't wait to June 15th.

Anyways, I'm feeling minimally better today. Weak, and still very ill, but at least I'm mobile. But if anyone missed ANY television from today, I've got it all watched...so let me know. I can give you a play-by-play.

Troy has gone out for dinner with Darin. Darin's going back to Regina on the weekend to work on Corner Gas, and we'd arranged to go out for dinner with him...unfortunately, I couldn't make it.

Anyways...I better watch CSI. I love that show.

(I'm happy to see Hailey go! BYE BYE LEGGIE!)


S

Our New Home

So I went to the Doctor...

Lets put it this way...I'm not at work, and I'm laying in bed, careful not to put anything on my stomach. So my doctor said I have some bug called gastio-blah-blah-blah-blah. He said that I can't eat anything for several days, I can only drink water, and flavored water. He said I'm contageous...so no kissy-kissy.

Boo. So my tummy hurts, and I'm unhappy. I've been laying around all weekend as it is. Oh well. Anyways, he said he'd write me a note to relieve me from my exam tomorrow. I think I'm going to take him up on that because I am feeling so weak...cause I"m not feeling well, and on top of that, I'm not supposed to have anythign to eat, so I'm not thinking I'd have any energy.

He said if I'd gone to the hospital, they would have admitted me...but not done too much, besides put me on an IV and left me for 3 days hoping it'll pass.

So that's my story. So I hope all of you who are reading this, will send me an email, or post a blog so I'll at least have something to entertain me.

BYE!

S

I FEEL LIKE CRAP

My stomach ache is back. Troy made me call the Alberta Health Link. They said to see a doctor within 6 hours. Well that was about 6 hours ago. I haven't seen a doctor. I tried. We went to Mount Royal Medical Clinic at 3:30pm, however they told us that they were not accepting any more patients. (there were MAYBE 4 people in the waiting room, and they close at 5pm). I was surprised they were open in the first place.

Anyways, I'm still hurting. My stomach still aches. Oh well. I guess such is life. Perhaps some weird bird flu or something.

I'm supposed to work tomorrow, and over-time at that at the down-town office, but I'm not so sure. Didn't make it to church today (ON EASTER SUNDAY NO LESS!), and didn't get as much studying as I would have liked to get done, done today either. Stupid bird flu.

Tomorrow we're supposed to go see some potential condos, considering we're nearly homeless. It seems weird to me that someone would be able to live in a condo for 3 months, that someone else agreed to purchase. Weird. I'm ready to pack and go now...except...well...except we don't have anything else to go to.

So Troy's mom is coming for a visit next Sunday - a week from today, and my Mom is coming for a visit, two weeks from yesterday. I'm excited.

Anyways, I should get back to studying - and the Apprentice is on shortly as well. (I'm a sucker for reality TV. Good-bye Uchenna & Joyce)

S

Arise My Love...

I used to wake up every morning on Easter Sunday and play a song I had on a tape...not sure of the artist, but the words go like this "Arise my Love, arise my Love, the grave no longer has a hold on you. No more death sting no more suffering, arise, arise, my Love." I loved waking up to that. It made me so happy.

This Easter I've been studying a lot, but when I have a chance to free my mind of business and management jargon, I've tried to remember the feelings and emotions that came with watching The Passion, for the first time several years ago on Good Friday. I sat in a theatre, and wept. I've never wept before. I've never had reason. But I sat there watching a man portray my best friend, and the one thing that kept going through my head, throughout the beeting, throughout the harassment, throught the nailing...was...those are my hands doing that to my best friend. That was me beating him. That was me spitting on him. That was me nailing those hands onto a cross. And the thought which followed that, was "I love you Shara."

I left that theatre, changed. I hope I'd never be the same, but just as everything else, you always fall back into what is easy. And now I've fallen back again. Perhaps its time to re-visit The Passion.

Troy & I watched it together last Easter. He doesn't like to watch his best friend being killed. So this year we will refrain...perhaps.

Anyways. Those are some thoughts for late tonight.

My MAC has been on since abotu 9am this morning. I've been studying, you'd all be proud. The worlds biggest procrastinator has been diligent in studying this weekend, aside from yesterday, which I was writhing in pain, so how was I to study.

Anyways, I'm nearly exhausted. The Wedding Singer is on, and Troy is hanging out with his best friend Darin Wilson. Perhaps I'll fall asleep watching this funny movie. I love Adam Sandlers movies. And Drew Barrymore's movies as well. They're both awesome.

Happy Easter. God Bless you.

S

(also, unsure about how to use spellcheck in Blogger, so...sorry)

From My New Notebook

I'm writing you now from my new notebook. I should be studying, but early this afternoon, my stomach has started hurting so badly. Anyways, I'm trying to feel better, but its just not happening. I managed to sit up enough that my notebook will rest on my legs, and I can still see the screen, but my stomach doesn't hurt to bad. Boo. Long weekends seem to hate me. The last 2 I've been out of commission in bed. I'm hoping this is a temporary thing, cause I have a big 3 hour exam on Wednesday, and need to be studying for it...and it is so hard to concentrate with my tumtum hurting so bad. Oh well. Such is life I suppose.

So we got our new Macbook. I love it! I haven't had a chance to really look at it much, because I've been studying, and Troy's been adding software and such to it...but its so pretty, and I got a cute red mouse to go with it...(a portable...I hate the touch-pad.

So we sold our condo. It was listed Wednesday at about 2pm, by 4:30pm we had 3 showings occuring between 5:30-7:30pm. At 8:30pm our realtor called and told us that we would have 2 offers tomorrow, and possibly a third. We set up a lunch-time appointment, to find that the realtors wanted to present to us in person.

We met with our realtor, and the offers were presented. So we listed at $319,900, and one offer was for $325K and the other was for $326K. WHOA. Anyways, so we took the $326 (it was not only more money, but also had almost no conditions (only condo docs)). So moving day, (unless mutually agreed to change) is July 3rd. How fun. Of course we're thrilled. We did quite well, and so are excited to find something else to upgrade into. :)

Here's the link Craig - not sure how long it'll be on here... http://abmls.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1966801771&s=ALB&t=ALB **for some reason a lot of my tabs are gone, so in the meantime you'll have to cut and paste the link into your web browser.

What else...nothing much I guess. My brother is in New York this weekend, and I'm jealous...however if I had a tummy-ache like this, there, I wouldn't be much fun anyways.

I should try to study.

S

Announcement

Delinquent Blogger

Lately I've been so frustrated that so many people don't keep up their blogs...well I'm amongst those lately! Sorry! Life has just been so busy that its hard.

So, we've decided to put our condo up for sale, and try to earn some a bit more equity somewhere else. We're looking at Victoria Park in Calgary. We've actually had our eye on the Sasso building. It has some awesome developing features, (not to mention that its 1/2 a block from the C-Train, and soon there will be a c-train station at the door to my office (just about). We looked at one on the 18th floor on Thursday. It was amazing. Its sub-penthouse, has floor to ceiling windows along the entire length of the condo. A nice patio over-looking stampede park (awesome for the fire works). Anyways, I guess we'll see, once we sell our place. Its being put on the market probably tomorrow, if not today. I'll link you to the site once its online. :)

Troy ordered me a new Apple Computer today! YEAH! I can't wait to receive it (Thursday he thinks). We bought a carrying case for it today. Its cute. Troy's also looking for a pretty red mouse for me right now. I hope he finds one. :)

Lets see...what else, well I've been trying to study for my exam which is a week from this Wednesday. That's been hard, considering all the fun excitement going on.

Besides that...well I guess that's it. It was Eden's 2nd birthday party last weekend, what a blast. We bought her a little kitchen. I think she loved it, as well as the loads of fake plastic food. She thought it was great. Last night we babysatt and I was trying to get her to say Auntie Shara. So far its Aaaeeee Aaaaaa. Close enough. :)

Our realtor was just here taking photo's. Please pray that our place sells for close to the asking price. :) That'll be AMAZING.

Thanks, and hey, post more!

S

Christmas Without The Presents

So Troy & I are thinking about going to the Euro-cup next year in June. Of course, if we're going to go to Europe, we don't want to go for just 2 weeks. Hopefully we can go for a month or something. Anyways, I thought I should run it past my boss to see if that would be an option, to take a month off, all at once, but more importantly, I don't have a month of holidays, only 3 weeks.

When I asked her, her response was, "Oh, I thought we talked about this at your review, you actually have 4 weeks of holidays." WHAT THE...??? How cool! SO not only can I go to Europe for a month, I have an entire week of extra holidays this year. Brilliant! How excited am I?

very

Also had a really smelly guy in my office today. BOO.

How come Duncan Donuts are giving their clients a free iced coffee tomorrow? Where's mine. I'd encourage any of you who are reading in the States, to take advantage of your free iced coffee. I wonder if I called a Duncan Donuts, and paid them over the phone by credit card for the postage, if someone would mail me my free iced coffee. Hmmmm...

PS

Josh has a new post on his blog (see links beside-----> )

Falling Asleep in my Chair

I'm at work right now. So far, I've worked 4 hours and 25 minutes today, and probably done about 25 minutes of work. I'm SO bored. I've done all the work I can possibly do...and I should be studying for the exam I have in April...but I just can't get focused enough to do it. Boo. I keep checking out MLS, or trying to find us a cheap vacation to go on, or doing suduko puzzles, reading my people magazine, re-arranging my drawers in my desk, going through my paperwork again there's only so much I can do before I start falling asleep at my desk. BOO.

Oh well. Such is life I suppose. I should try to study. I think I read about 2 paragraphs.

Pressure sales people bug me. You know the ones who try to sell you things, and you tell them you're not interested, and then they try another approach, and you once again tell them you're not interested, and then they ask you why you're not interested, and then they try to approach you on why your reasoning for not wanting what they are selling you is not legitimate? I hate those people. Literally hate. In the most Christian way possible of course. :) I could never do that to a person. I would hate myself. I wonder if those peopel hate themselves. Perhaps from now on, I will ask people who ask me twice if I want something, if they hate themselves. Hmmm...I may try that. (maybe not in person cause I'm not brave enough....but I think I will, over the phone.)

Water is delicious.

Our photo copier broke again so I can't even photo copy the 3 pages I'd like to photo-copy go give myself 30 seconds of work. (including walk time). Hmmm...

I got to take the volkswagen today.

Ok, sorry, this is getting boring.

S

Several Rants

I walked in the house just now and it reeks. Like garbage. Troy just took the garbage out yesterday. How can some things stink so bad that they reek up your entire house in less than 24 hours? Jeepers.

Second...old people. There is a class of old people who are just plain rude, and nasty. Not all....but at least all of the ones at Stage West last Wednesday night. What a bunch of crotchety nasty old people. I've often heard it said, (on tv or what not) that young people are not as curtious as they should be to the elderly, and they don't respect them etc. Perhaps that's because they mostly interact with these nasty white-heads.

At Stage West, the old foggies will step into your way, bash you with their chair, not move out of your way so you have to jump over top of them with your go-go gadget legs, purposely bud in front if you, etc . They are so inconsiderate and incredibly rude, its astounding. I want to go to Stage West more often so I can observe these nasty folk. I think its rude, and next time, it may not go without saying something.

My house stinks.

Does anyone know if I have to change my name, before I can do my taxes in my new married name? I haven't changed my name on my SIN number yet.

It really stinks in here.

I'm annoyed. I better go. I need some air freshener. Smells like rotton lettuce. Yuck.


Shara

Bye Bye.....so unfair....

Snorance

How will I manage to sleep for the rest of my life. My Husband Snorance didn't let me sleep last night. Its like a cruel game. I am just approaching the euphoria of sleep when a HUGE "SNORE......................................................................" trails on for a few minutes, completely waking me up. I ask him to roll over. He does, and quiet again...so I start approaching sleep again...when just before I'm about to enter my sweet yummy sleep a HUGE "SNORE.................................................." again wakes me up. SO UNFAIR. So I got up and had a bath. That still didn't make me happy. I'm started the day off on the WRONG foot.

Oh well. Such is life I suppose. I'm hoping for a warm and sunny day today. I heard on the radio its supposed to be 16 degrees, which I'm excited about. Back to Flip Flops and skirts! YEAH!

I'm exhausted, so I'll sign off...but so many fun things coming up in my life. First Troy's parents are coming for a visit, then my Mom is coming for a visit shortly after that. The night after she leaves is the John Mayer Concert, and then shortly after that is the Bill Cosby show. Then comes May 2-4 weekend (that's what we called it back in Ontario for all my growing up years), and we're going camping with Darren & Nicky and the girls to somewhere near Frank. Then on to the Killers concert, my birthday (coincidentally also our anniversary, and we're going away to Waterton for the weekend), and then yummy summer! Mmmmmm....so excited.

Well I'm off to work here in a minute or so...and Ryan & Naomi are coming over for dinner. I'm excited about today too...except for the fact that I'm SO SLEEPY!

S

On The Mend

American Idol is on, and I'm kickin back. Work has been CRAZY busy for me lately...you know when you do one thing and you have 1 1/2 more things added to your task while you're at it? Its frustrating...or when you can't get a thing done? Anyways, I'm exhausted now that I've come home. Oh well.

Our home is so comfortable...our new couches, our impressive tv...the snow falling outside our wall window on our busy street in down town Calgary...our fireplace...I love it here. We are so blessed.

We had company for lunch, and dinner yesterday, and then we're having company twice more this week. Its crazy but its fun. Its fun to prepare yummy food for our friends...and to have wine to serve, and delicious desserts. I spent yesterday cleaning and preparing.

Ok so right now A.J. Tabalo is singing for A-Idol...I don't like him, I wish he would go home. He makes me cringe and want to run out of the room. Ugh. For once I disagree with Simon.

The dude who sang first this week, and last, last week...he was awesome! I like that guy. but my FAVORITE is that Rob & Amber are back on the Amazing Race! I love that show! I guess I watch too mych tv. Oh well. I love the Amazing Race, and hopefully this time, they'll win.

Anyway, this post is borning and I'm rambling about nothing.

S

Still Sick

I feel so shoddy! Its strange cause if I take Advil or whatever, it makes me feel a lot better, but when it wares off...yuck. Nasty again. I am so bored though. Watching TV, Suduko puzzles, video-games, reading...and repeat. Its funny...with the world at one's fingertips on the Internet, how can one still get bored.

While I was feeling alright this afternoon I cleaned up our office, which was atrocious. Its a lot better now, but there is a large pile of ironing on the couch calling out to me. I refuse to hear it. I hope Troy doesn't need me to iron plants for him tomorrow.

Anyways, I'm going to go crawl back into bed, I feel horrible still.

S