Hello Everyone:

It is the Labour Day long weekend – which marks the end of the summer here. Where has this year gone? With the outcome of the pandemic still unknown, it still seems hard to believe that this year is already two-thirds over. Perhaps that is a good thing. I am sure many of us are looking towards 2021 and putting this year behind us. So many changes, so many adjustments and nothing really being the same no matter how we try to be ‘normal’. While I see those suffering from mental illness (like my mother and her Alzheimer’s) being very badly affected, I find that there is a lot of heightened anxiety, depression, and fatigue no matter our best intentions. Even the most sane of us are going insane – and sometimes I don’t think we even know how much we are being affected by the pandemic. Someone told me that their hairdresser was commenting how much more white hair people seemed to have now. Mental stress – quietly coming out of our heads!

I think in the end, even though we are moving forward, doing our best to enjoy and live our lives the best way we know how – it is the lack of “having something to really look forward to”. Other than what we are doing day to day. It seems a little crazy but sometimes I think I am busier than ever juggling through all of this. I think a lot us feel that way.

So we carry on. I have been going down to my office when I can, still seeing clients and friends. Going to patios while we have good weather and golfing. It has been well over a decade since I have golfed this much! Trying to keep fit and healthy. Walking with friends and doing a little yoga. Keeping supportive of each other to avoid gaining that “Covid-19”. Yikes. Being careful and cautious. And of course, wearing a mask while indoors – I think I have over a dozen – one in every colour to co-ordinate with my outfits. Have to have some fun!! 🙂

I had my annual mammogram and things are good. One more year of tamoxifen – that will be 10 years on that stuff. I think that will be a little bit of a mental shock – it has been a little bit of a crutch – protection against possible recurrence. I am going to have another MRI to make sure that the implant is OK – since there has been the risk of these textured ones potentially causing cancer. Have to stay vigilant.

I know how blessed I am to have all of you in my life. I feel it and am so grateful. I want to continue to try and make a difference in the world and in the lives of those I hold dear. A dear Warrior said to me recently that “your kindness defines you”. I certainly hope I can continue on that path.

Keep healthy, happy and safe. Hugs and lots of love. Winnie, the Warrior XOXO

Hello Everyone:

It is Easter and Passover weekend. Typically a time when we gather with family, friends and loved ones to celebrate and be together. This year, so different. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to settle for phone calls, video face timing, perhaps a wave through a window or a shout across the driveway. All we can know and hope is that next year, it can only get better.

After what seemed to be a good start to 2020 – the year of new vision, a new decade, of new hope, dreams and aspirations, we find ourselves all struggling to see each day through. To wonder about the next day, our health, our loved ones, and how the new normal will look like and what the future holds when things are finally contained – and becomes part of our reality going forward.

I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Mexico City in January with some BFFs. It was an enlightening experience. A large and over-crowded city that was not just modern and reminded me of some European cities, but full of history and culture. Casa Azul was a highlight – along with Xochomilco – where we were on an open boat going along the canal with food boats and mariachi bands who came on board for a couple hundred pesos and serenaded you.

That was followed by my annual ski trip. This year I went to the Dolomites with a couple of girlfriends. Skied 120 kilometres and 6 days straight. We were in Ortesei, Val Gardena. While the weather was hit and miss, it was memorable in so many ways. Spent an evening in Milan – visiting the Duomo; and having an incredible evening at a local pizzeria, Piz that has only 3 pizzas on the menu. Usually I go away for 2 weeks. Good thing I decided to go home. Not sure why – – but in the end – all for the best with Italy being hit with the Covid wave just a little of 2 weeks later.

Even went skating with my nieces. It was Miya’s debut. I hadn’t skated in 13 years. Sharpened my skates and luckily didn’t fall. The skiing must have helped. LOL 🙂

What has evolved has been surreal. This will be the Black Swan event of our lifetimes. In fact there were two at the same time. While some of us are used to being alone – it is not the same. I am lucky to not feel lonely at the best of times but there are moments. I know we all have them. Even if we have our families that we live with. It is hard not to see my mother in person – she is confused at times and sometimes doesn’t understand what is happening. Other times, she is OK and understands there is a virus that is deadly and unknown & she is in a vulnerable group. I see my Dad on Zoom or from a distance when I drop off his weekly pears. Our new world and reality. For now. But there is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I can only pray that it comes soon. I do know that we are all making that extra effort to reach out and care a little more than we did when we had our usual ‘busy lives’. I am sure there will be some good that comes from all of this – and it will be up to us to continue what we have started to do because of the pandemic. And to appreciate what we have and each other more. A serious life lesson. However, getting through this will take all of our mental, physical and spiritual strength.

From the movie “Wonder” a Precept: “Be Kind – for everyone is fighting a hard battle – and if you really want to see what people are – all you have to do, is look.”

Keep well. Keep Safe. Keep happy and healthy. Where you always are in my heart.

LOVE! Winnie, the Warrior…….XO – With my COVID-19 companion, Basil. (Below).

Hello Everyone:

Happy New Year! A new year, a new decade. 2020. A new start to make lasting and memorable memories with all the ones we love and cherish. Like Janus – keeping one face looking at the past while the other looks towards the future.

This past month I have spent a lot of time with my family. My Dad turned 80 and 14 of us went on a family cruise to western Mexico on the Royal Princess to celebrate his milestone. The opportunity also allowed me to spend extra time with my sister, and allowed me to have a lovely visit with my god-parents and god-sister who I haven’t seen in quite some time. I saw many good friends leading up to the holidays and spent Christmas Eve & Christmas with my own and extended families. New Year’s Eve with my siblings and my Mom. Something I haven’t done in a while and New Year’s Day with the “Princess Crew” – my Dad and siblings.

Just as the clock struck twelve and 2020 was about to begin, I said a little prayer. Wishing for good health, love and happiness to all I hold dear in my heart. And thankful for being so blessed by having so many wonderful and special connections with all my family and friends. Relationships. What will get you through anything. Good friends make the good times better and the hard times easier. When friends support each other, incredible things happen. So I have concluded that: Friendship is my favourite form of therapy.

Although we are not all in the same city – – Time and distance are human constructs, love knows no bounds.

I always say that I have a lot of love in my life. I never feel alone or lonely – even when I am on my own. I am lucky. I am content. I am comfortable in my own skin and with my life. For 2020 – the year of new vision – and perfect eye-sight – I wish us all good health and true love.

HUGS and LOVE!! Winnie, The Warrior. xoxo

Hello everyone! To all my Canadian Warriors – Happy Thanksgiving (yes, a week late – oops!). Again, so much to be thankful & grateful for – – including all of you.

Update time. I’ve had an interesting summer and early fall going to appointments to figure out a few health issues. The first – about the implants. I did go for an MRI at the end of August and saw my surgeon shortly thereafter in September. Good news: they checked the tissue around the implant and so far – no malicious or suspicious masses/bad cells. So for now – we have decided that we will continue to monitor annually and should symptoms come up – new lumps; massive swelling (which apparently is quite obvious) – of course I will contact them right away to check it out. Any surgery now to remove the implant would be highly invasive and there are of course associated risks. So weighing things out – decided to keep things status quo. Then just this month I had some unexplainable and strange bruising around my stomach and back. Thankfully my family doctor takes extra precautions and sent me for bloodwork, and some ultrasounds – Abdomen and Pelvic. He called me the next day and said my bloodwork showed a slight & small abnormality – usually he wouldn’t be so concerned but given my history – he even took the liberty to call my oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital who was my guy for my chemo. We ended up sending everything to my after-cancer transition clinic doctor – who I see annually now, for a second look and opinion. Once again, good news – she was comfortable with the results that nothing ominous was going on – but suggested to recheck the bloodwork in a month’s time. Bad news: my body is suffered from the usual side-effects of the tamoxifen. One of which is the shrinkage of my ovaries. Well – good thing I have given up the idea of having my own children……sigh. It was a bit nerve wracking and touch and go – I just didn’t want someone telling me I had blood cancer or something else. Still – a little paranoid – but I suppose that is normal.

The rest of the summer overall was great. Still golfing – even golfed yesterday (11 degrees Celsius) – bundled up in my ski wear. At least it was sunny. LOL.

Spent a couple of days in Miami celebrating a milestone birthday; golfed with Auston Matthews – top guy for the Toronto Maple Leafs (in my opinion), have a new friend, Carlton the Bear, tried my hand at painting – which I was horrible at & luckily it became a joint project and hosted a dinner with my fellow past-Presidents of The National Club.

And finally, thanks to generous support of my Warriors, friends and colleagues, Winnie’s Warriors raised over $11,000 for Prostate Cancer at my annual attempt at “running” this year at the Exact Yorkville Run. Of course for the occasion I had to get a new running outfit. I like it so much that I think I will recycle it for next year. 🙂

Thank you for everyone’s prayers and follow up. Sorry it has taken me a while to get my update out. I just wanted to make sure I had all my test results back and felt good again. I really have to stop freaking myself out. A special day also to sit here and write this. Today, October 20th would have been my paternal grandparents’ 87th wedding anniversary. Blessings to my Ankong and Ama – up in Heaven. Miss you.

Sending you all love and big hugs.

Winnie, the Warrior. xoxo

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a few months since I’ve been able to take a few moments of “me time” and put my thoughts down. It’s been a busy spring and summer. While I am still working on work-life-me balance, I feel sometimes that I am not succeeding. That said, one friend noticed at how I am always getting people together and keeping in touch. It’s a labour of love – but it is worth it. Even though I feel like I could sleep for a week – or more!

Realizing how precious time is – how fragile life is – how dear friends and family are – – we all keep going. It makes life better. For me at least. I have been spending more time with family – my father is getting older and my mother – well – with the Alzheimer’s – there are good and bad days. On the good days – you enjoy. On the bad days, when she forgets seeing you 15 minutes after you leave – – well, you try and smile and remember that it is the disease.

I have been golfing – which has been nice. Getting out, walking, and sweating – – guess it is my small attempt at ‘exercise’. I saw my chiropractor today. He said – while that is OK – if I want to have good skiing next season – I’d have to work on muscle building……yikes. Better put that on the list.

I finally finished my “hoodie” on my trip out to Nova Scotia where I start an annual knitting project. It’ll be my first, and last hoodie. It turned out pretty well. My next project is a linen/cotton blend tote bag. Hopefully I’ll have it finished next summer. LOL.

Recently, a warrior told me that textured breast implants have been in the news. Not good news. So I contacted my surgeon to see what I have……Textured. *heart sinking feeling when they confirmed. They have been associated with a malignancy. It’s called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). While they said it is a rare condition, there are cases presenting themselves. They said the risk is 1/3000. While it seems like a small percentage – when you’ve had aggressive cancer cells, one can only wonder. Sheesh – just when I figured I didn’t have to think too much about this stuff other than the usual regular fear of recurrence. *Sigh.

I saw my surgeon earlier this month and talked about the options. From doing nothing – (and watch for symptoms) – to invasive surgery to remove the implant and the capsule (the scar tissue around the implant). Risk of further surgery versus the risk of ALCL. It’s been 8 years since my surgery. He suggested we do a MRI for now and take a look-see. What bugs me is that he said he hasn’t been using the textured implants for some time now. And he tells people of the potential ALCL risk when giving options of the type of implants available. Which I promptly said, “I don’t remember having that conversation at that time” He said we didn’t. While there had been talk about further cancer association, it wasn’t too mainstream at the time. What’s worse – is that they have banned the textured implants in Canada I’ve been told. Nice….We’ll I’ll be doing the MRI later in August. Until then – I am trying not to think about things too much. Needless to say, keeping busy helps when you are suddenly “shaken” with this news. I think I live my life in a bubble sometimes.

As mentioned before, knitting is considered therapeutic therapy. Better get going on my tote bag……

So for now – all I can say is this: “Mangia been, ridi spesso, ama motto.” (Eat well, laugh often, love much.)

Stay tuned.

Big hugs. Lots of love.

Winnie, The Warrior xo

Happy spring! At least that is what the calendar says. The weather in Toronto is just starting to get better. The last month of the winter has been pretty cold, dull, drab and grey. A nice long bout of sunshine would be surely welcomed! Especially since I have a grade two tear in my right MCL from skiing – – I’m looking forward to golf season and warmer weather.

It is the Year of the Pig. Started on February 5, 2019. The Pig is the last animal in the 12 animal Chinese zodiac as they were the last to arrive in the kingdom to a party. Being born in the sign of the Pig is both a compliment and an honour. Pigs are general lay good-natured, fun-loving, work and play hard and lead full contented lives. They are very sociable too. So for me, the Ox, it says that it will be a busy social year and it will be busier than it has been for a while. Yikes, I don’t know if my schedule can get busier! It says that Oxen deserve some “me time” and give themselves the chance to relax and unwind. Time to pay attention to their own well-being. I’m getting that in spades as this weekend, my body has put me on notice to rest. Seems that ‘slowing down’ is something I have not come anywhere close to mastering. Still working on that.

I spent New Year’s Eve in Ellicottville with my ski friends. One gal who I met last season, had gone through ‘treatments’ and her hair was just growing back. I had been sporting a white wig all December and she said she hoped her hair would grow back like that. In the spirit of the moment, just before midnight, I took her into the bathroom and put my wig on her. She loved it and that having hair, picked up her spirits immediately. It felt like the right thing to do. She felt empowered and I was happy and proud that such a small gesture had such a big impact. The next time I saw her – she was wearing the wig and her 2 1/2 year old daughter said, “Mommy – you have to give Winnie back her hair”! As she tried to pull it off her Mom. So cute. I must admit I did feel a little torn, as my hairdresser, Brian had given it to me and I really loved it, but then again, how often do you get a chance to really do something great like that?!

I went on my annual ski excursion to Europe. This time visiting Berlin and then skiing in Bad Gastein, Austria. A good trip – but the end of my ski season as I had a bad fall and torn my MCL. I figured as much at the time, but I still went skiing after resting for 2 1/2 days. Probably made things worse – but nothing that physio, chiro and rest won’t fix…….My chiro when we first met saw my heels and said, “You should stop wearing them – – for 2 weeks”. To which I said, “I’m sorry – I don’t think I can see you anymore”. 😛 Needless to say, I have listened to the doctor for the most part. As one of my friends said, if I had known, I could have given up my high heels for Lent – instead of my usual, meat.

It’s been a good start to 2019. In spite of my knee, and this cold/cough that I am working through, it has been full of spending time with family, friends and interesting times with work and The National Club. Just need still to work on “me time”.

Which I am going to continue right now. Just took some Buckley’s, had some “rock sugar with egg” (Chinese remedy for coughs/sore throats) and going to drink more Ginger with Chamomile tea. And – off to bed! I’m been watching Season 3 of “Call My Agent” (Dix Percent) — it is in French with English subtitles.

So I am going to make the most of what opens up for me. With purpose and willingness, to make good gains and enjoy good times. It’s going to be another year of enjoying personal interests and special relationships. All important and meaningful as we live life.

One “Pig” Warrior recently told me that long time and good friends are ‘falling off the perch”. While we miss them – we should remember the shared experiences, what impact, and inspiration you both have had on each other. And hope that you had made a difference and mark on each other’s lives. True friendship.

Always thankful for all of you.

Winnie, The Warrior xo

Hello Everyone:

It’s the holiday season and every now and then we wish for a miracle. After all, it is Christmas. Well, I got one. As you know, I haven’t seen or spoken with my Mother since September 25, 2017. And, finally after 14 months – it happened. Thanks to a lot of work by my siblings. We all got together for my brother’s birthday in November. My Mother actually told my brother he could invite whomever he wanted, and that included his sisters. We were prepared for the worse. But we banded together and had dinner out. I was ignored by her for the entire dinner. At least there was no outbreaks or meanness. We didn’t know what to expect. Then, at the end of the night, I approached her with a little trepidation but decided to go for it and gave her a big hug. She accepted and hugged me back. WOW – – it was really nice. She said when she was getting into the car (and I gave her another hug and told her I loved her), we could go for dinner again. I said, “hot pot?” To which she replied, “Yes – since you haven’t had anyone to go with”. I answered, “Yes – you are correct”. Another WOW. The mind is complicated to say the least.

The rest of the week passed with no strange phone calls or voice messages. Phew.

Then, I called her to invite her to the Family Holiday Brunch at The National Club. No one answered. Then, 20 minutes later my phone rang and the caller ID showed my Mother’s number. My heart literally skipped a beat. I answered, a little timid “Hello?” – And it was my Mother saying “Did you call me?” I said “Yes I did”. We had a good conversation about a few things. She did most of the talking – and at the end, it was agreed my sister would pick her up and bring her downtown to the brunch. Progress!

We had a lovely time at the brunch. She remembered being at the Club and also knew it had been a long time since she had been there. She wrote me a lovely card in chinese. Translated “To my dearest daughter, Winnie – wishing you good health and a wonderful life and most of all her hope that I have a good man to love me”. (I said, there are a few men who love me…..just not the right ones! LOL – – we all had a laugh). She signed off, “Mommy dearest and I love you!”. We both kissed the card and dated it. It was SO SPECIAL. She was my Mother again. I still get teary when I think of it and look at the card which I will treasure. We even took photos together and she asked me to send them to her. (Apparently there are no photos of me in her house anymore). When she called that same night and asked me if we were going to the Club for brunch the next day – all I could do was take a deep breath and say that the next day was Monday and I had to go to work and we’d go another time. That, almost made me cry. It’s so sad.

I think she looks better now than she did last year. And happier. I’m am so thrilled. We have seen each other, always with other family or friends around, a few times now. Baby steps. And she seems to remember me as the good daughter I had been. A relief. But she also knows it has been awhile since we have done things or gone places. It’s hard to watch her struggle with her short term memory or confusion about where she is or what she had done earlier in the day. To know that it is forgotten so quickly – is tough and it breaks my heart. But I am grateful and thankful for this chance to be there and love her again. I even got to spend my dear Hana’s birthday with her again. So happy for all of this. Thank you everyone for all your support and efforts. It has meant so much.

So – now – – she calls. Sometimes early in the morning, sometimes late at night. Sometimes she leaves me messages. But in the end, it is all very sweet and loving. Who knows if it will change again. All I can do is embrace THE MOMENTS with her and always tell her that I love her before we part. And give her a big hug.

Merry Christmas. Buon Natale. Felice Navidad. Joyeux Noel. 聖誕節快樂. (Shengdan Jie Kuai Le).

Lots more to share that happened after my last post – but that can wait. Off to bed in my annual new “Christmas PJs” courtesy of my Oakville Warriors.

Wishing all love, success, great health and more miracles in 2019.

HUGS and LOVE!

Winnie, The Warrior xo

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

Hello Everyone:

I am sitting on a patio at The Crow’s Nest in Digby, Nova Scotia looking out at the bay watching the tide come back in, while having a giant bowl of seafood chowder and a black raspberry milkshake. Seafood chowder because, after all, I am in Canada’s ocean playground and Digby is famous for its scallops‎. The milkshake because I tried to order one at LaGuardia airport a couple of weeks ago and the machine was broken. At which point my flight home to Toronto was delayed by over four hours, so since I couldn’t get a milkshake, I ordered a Balvenie – neat (single malt scotch – no ice). It was almost 8:30 pm. The man sitting next to me at the bar said it was the funniest thing he had ever heard. “Hmmm, no milkshake – OK…..a Balvenie then”. So random! LOL. One of my friends compared it to ordering fois gras after being told there was no kale salad!

‎It’s been hectic but there have been wonderful times in the past month. I’ve practically been celebrating my 45th birthday since June 14th. That was the evening of the President’s Ball at The National Club. Many warriors were in attendance and it was an incredibly fun event as evident by the photos.

Another fantastic moment was on June 20th when I was officially voted in for a second consecutive one year term as President of The National Club. This hasn’t happened in 80 years and I am the first female to do so. A small damper on this day was not being able to share it with my mother who would have been super proud. A little sad and I tear up a bit thinking about it. At least my dad will still come to the Club and have lunch with me – – as he put it, “Only if you’re still the President”. Funny guy.

A whirlwind weekend in New York City with old and new friends. Living in and for the moment. Playing golf in the extreme heat in Kitchener just to catch up and hang out with another warrior. Then a little R&R with some warriors out east (Nova Scotia). It’s been good times full of love, friendship and lots of laughter – – and a little knitting. I started a new project. To knit a hoodie. Let’s see how it turns out – stay tuned!

I was recently described as “killer” by a fellow National Club member. It was his one word to sum up many adjectives to describe me – like stylish, fierce, bold, beautiful, confident, smart, aggressive (which perhaps coming from a man is a compliment?!) etc….WOWZA.

We recently lost a dear friend whose life was taken tragically and quickly by cancer. 12 days. And another who was a wonderful and long time staff at The National Club who always greeted me with a warm smile. Less than a month. Damn Cancer! This is the stuff that rattles me.

So I just want to have a good balance – in life and work. To be able to focus my energy on the people that matter to me – to be there for those I cherish and love. Through the good & bad times, through thick and thin, and for all the happy and sad moments. To live my life in the artistry of my creativeness. In life – we always need to navigate through issues which at times are not our own but due to another’s issues – you can be drawn into drama that you just don’t need. An unnecessary waste and use of precious energy. That kind of negativity – I have no room in my life for. I am always trying to let things go and avoid undue negative vibes, if I can help it. It’s hard sometimes, but I am working on it and getting a little better.
#Not for me.

So I need to be courageous in my choices and love all that I do.
Keeping you all close to my heart.

Winnie, the Warrior xo

Hello Everyone!

It is finally a sunny and warmer weekend in Toronto. Last weekend there was an ice storm and we had another blast of winter mid-April. Brrr!

I’m taking some time to be ‘low-key’ and enjoy the sunshine and clear skies. My hectic, self-imposed schedule has finally caught up to me. When I had a check-up this past Monday at the doctor’s office – to review some chest x-rays I had done because I had some blood in my sinus, (my young doctor wanted to be sure it wasn’t due to any side-effects from the radiation — he is so thorough and cautious – which is good),  I had said, I’ve been lucky this winter as I have avoided any major flu, bug or cold that has saddled many, as of Tuesday – it began. Figures. I am on the mend – but when it is ‘on’ …..Whoa. I haven’t felt this bad in a LONG time. Obviously, my body is telling me something. So I actually cancelled plans on Friday to come straight home from work to get rest. Something new for this ‘older Ox’. **Of note: my lungs are clear – but they are going to send me to an ENT doctor just to check things further. And, my blood pressure was the best it’s been in a long time – 110/78.

When reading about the personality of the Ox, it does describe me. “Reliable and hard-working, they can be depended upon, never half-hearted, when they commit themselves to something, they like to see it through. No-nonsense sorts, practical, methodical and thorough. Resolute, persevering and objective, Oxen are doers and survivors.” Perhaps this is why I hardly ever say “no”. I never want to disappoint. (Yellow Guilt?!). LOL.

According to the chinese horoscope book I looked at, with this great resolve, and through willpower and sheer determination, Oxen can make much of the Dog year. However it will not be an easy one with obstacles to overcome – but apparently Oxen are not ones to let things stand in their way. So I won’t!! (Well, we shall see). 🙂

A possibly mixed year – but one for learning. So maybe I will have new experiences to work on and benefit from. It also said that I should “seize any changes to meet others – new friendships and connections, and maybe romance, could make this year significant and special”. I did read elsewhere that if single in the Year of the Dog, new romantic relationships are possible! I’m ready …..but that said, I am getting pretty set in my old ways!! However, I fell getting into the shower last night. Luckily my left elbow and butt cheek got the brunt of things and not my head. Maybe I need one of those ‘alert’ bracelets just in case……

My Season Six of skiing was wonderful, with my trip to Europe and my volunteer work with the Phoenix Program at Holimont Ski Club. Not sure how much my skiing improved, but I had a lot of fun and fulfillment. And, I made some great new friendships which will continue on. How lucky I consider myself.

I continue to spend time with my family and friends. My nephew Justin turned 19 and I took him out – – Wow – they sure cost more when they can drink alcohol! HA. My family got together for my grandmother’s 15th anniversary of her return to the Lord. I wore her dress from her 90th birthday celebrated in 2001. (Thanks to my dear cousin Kevin for letting me have it). You can’t really see it – as I have my two nieces on my lap – trying to get a photo – but those monkeys – hard to get them to pose!

There is a Chinese proverb that says, ‘Every moment is precious’ and what we do with our lives is precious too.

So, I plan to continue to be the master of my destiny – and even when the universe throws out its curve balls, continue to persevere on. After all, April 19th was SEVEN years since my mastectomy.

Thank you all for your love, support and care.

Winnie, The Warrior. XOXO