Hello Everyone!

Happy Gobble Gobble up here in Canada. We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. My siblings and I, along with their offspring got together for some Dim Sum. (Very Canadian eh?!). LOL. Lobster instead of turkey, pork buns instead of ham and egg tarts instead of pumpkin pie. Not a lot of leftovers, just a couple of chicken feet and beef honeycomb tripe. To which my brother said, all your favourites…..that’s why there were some left – I can’t eat it all alone! 🙂

Overall it’s been a great summer. The weather in Toronto has been fantastic. Only one hiccup was that I got quite sick – probably a little run down and it finally caught up with me. I hadn’t felt that bad since I was doing treatment. Was put on antibiotics, given cough syrup with codeine (which I had to take double doses because the ‘normal’ didn’t do much), and an inhaler. Clearly I was in rough shape. I actually ‘cancelled’ some of my engagements. Serious!! I was experiencing some bolts of pain in my head again – I liken it to having a lightning storm inside my head – like a science project. Luckily, it was also around the time I had my annual mammogram, so my doctor at the After Cancer clinic ordered a MRI and also a bone density scan. She also wanted to order a chest x-ray – which I had just done. Mammogram – stable. MRI – unremarkable. Chest X-Ray – clear. Bone Density – coming up this month. So all in all, I am thankful that it was just a couple of bad weeks – and now – I am getting back to 100%. Still have a lingering cough at times, but I’m seeing my young Doogie Houser doctor next week.

I have been taking things a little easier – working a giving myself a ‘night off’ in addition to my weekly yoga. I’ve also been seeing a physiotherapist monthly and scheduling in massages. Now – just have to get back to the pool to do some swimming! Making progress. Tonight, my dinner plans got cancelled, giving me time to relax and write this before I see if my New York Yankees can force a game 5 against the Boston Red Sox. They lost 16-1 in the Bronx yesterday. Can you imagine those New York fans?!

A few Winnie’s Warriors joined me this year for my annual charity 5 km run. We participated in the B&O Yorkville Run and chose Prostate Cancer Canada as our local charity of choice to raise funds for. Team Winnie’s Warriors was one of the top teams raising close to $9,000 and I was #5 out of 1000 fundraisers. I like this event as there are about 20 local charities to choose from. So we can spread the love. All for a good cause. And, it’s in September so chances are the weather will be a little more co-operative for my liking!

Update on my annual knitting project – – I’ve basically done all the pieces of the hoodie. Just have to sew it all together. That and redo the borders on the pockets. I put them on the wrong side. LOL. At this rate – it will be ready for the spring!

My second term presidency at the National Club has been going well. For my President’s Social, the GM and I cooked for the Board. My theme was Black and White Game Night. I brought a puzzle that only one director solved after many attempts. And we played Connect 4. One of my favourites. I found out that my niece is learning how to play Chess. I’d better brush up on that – since my brother told her I could play. That was many moons ago – but she is going to be six soon. I think I learned about the same age. Clearly – many many moons ago!!

So many things to be THANKFUL for. Health, Family, Friends and so much support. I have to always pinch myself and wonder how I got so lucky to be so blessed. This life continues to be a wonderous and amazing journey that I am eternally grateful that you are all part of. I’ve started to smile and say good morning to people as I walk down to the subway. Needless to say, it’s been amusing. Someone said I might be scaring or scarring the locals, but it makes me happy to do it.

Love, hugs and a lot of gratitude.

Merci. Grazie. Danke. Gracias. Thank you!

Always, Winnie, the Warrior xo