Super Fam!

It has been wonderful to be here hanging with the family, not doing much, just being together.  Superman (otherwise known as my Dad) is battling his second cancer in the past two years.  The first one he kicked aside pretty quickly so maybe this one has been sent to be more of a challenge (or more likely because General Electric did not take care of their employees as they should, a huge understatement actually).   Luckily Superman comes with a super family who are all here to support, love and help him fight a bigger cancer.  

 How sweet is she (they I mean they! Babies always think they can steal the show)!

 Nicola, Paddy and Freda

Superman (also known as Dad, Grandpa, Gus, Robert, Henry and Bob) and his gals!  Paddy has left today and we are all looking forward to meeting again in six weeks for Christmas with Luis too. 

Astronaut Freda K

Happy Halloween! It has been at least 25 years since I have been out trick or treating and probably 18 since I have been in Canada for Halloween.  So it was great to be here for Freda's first trick or treating night and not only because she can not eat all the chocolate that she got but because I got to see this adorable astronaut in person.

 Freda K surrounded in the night sky.  By far the cutest costume out there tonight.  

 Halloween is so big in North America and really such a great community event.  So many houses get right in the spirit with loads of decorations and very few are closed off to trick or treaters.

 Some scary pumpkin cut outs, I should have got more of the houses and some of the other children but to be fair...

 Freda K stole the show

 Dad with one of the treats, Oh Henry for Henry

 It is probably the best time to take her out trick or treating as there is no need to try and bribe her for some candy.  As she is a little small to have it we will just have to help her out.  Great costume Nicola and Paddy!

DDED

Today was Daddy Elder Daughter Day (DEDD), which as usual was pretty fabulous (bar a fairly frustrating Western Union experience).  I meant to take pictures of every where we went as even chores are pretty entertaining when it is me and Dad.   But I only got a couple as was too caught up in the moment.

 One of the first stops was the bank where I meet some of Dads ladies.  They seemed so helpful and he is clearly pretty well known and some may say famous there.  Possibly because of how he withdraws money, but all I can say without divulging secrets is I am definitely his daughter.  We then enjoyed a coffee, some shopping and hours at Western Union.  This was extremely frustrating and after three hours I got no where, so I do not want to go on about it as it could have spoilt a lovely day (but please never ever ever go there again in solidarity to me!).

We had an average lunch at what use to be one of my favourite lunch spots.  I thought I remembered some veggie dishes here but I got that wrong, but it did make choosing easy, veggie burger or well nothing.  Despite these few challenges, it was an amazing day as always.  I cannot say enough how lucky I am to call this man Dad. 

Freda, Freda, Pizza

When I am deciding which pictures to post it is hard to choose any others when Freda is in the mix.  She really steals the show, she is so funny and sweet, and just makes you laugh.  Not only that but she is also super intelligent, which is not really a huge surprise surrounded by all these super clever people.

 Super man, super clever Dad and Freda.  

 She is always awake and looking for something or someone new to play with.

Freda and her new Lola dog, sent from Lola all the way from Thailand.

Although, Freda clearly steals the show, I was pretty impressed about my home made pizzas I made today.  Although to be fair we have not cooked them yet so this might be slightly premature. 

Dad and Freda

Well the doctor said I needed time to heal and that I could fly and do the healing where ever I wanted too.  And there is only one place I wanted to be, so arrived in Toronto yesterday afternoon to see Dad and of course meet Freda.

 The first meeting, playing with my face, trying to work the new gal out.

Dad, looking good!  The only down side is that it is a wee bit colder than I anticipated, it might even snow!

Back to Real Life

I am not generally one for rest and relaxation.  I think I can do it and then after one day I am usually crawling the walls.  This time it has been different, I enjoyed every minute of our three day get away of doing nothing but reading, sleeping and watching horrible films.  The place where we stayed is so lovely, and is really just what the doctor ordered.  It certainly helped that the weather was fantastic and my L's were by my side.  Every time I think Lola cannot get any cuter, she just does.  And Luis has just been wonderful, as he also gets over the loss. 

 Our final day there for this trip was just spectacular.  I must admit I am slightly annoyed that this rainy season has been so fantastic.  It seems a bit unfair, as all the new teachers think we have been exaggerating last year's rain as at least half this month has been beautiful weather.  Last year we had about two days of sunshine in two months.  But guess I will take it as would be complaining much more if it was pouring rain.

 So back at home to resume real life. 

Rest and Relaxation

Out of the hospital now and on the mend both mentally and physically.  I cannot begin to express in how many ways this experience has changed me.  I went back and forth about posting why I had an operation and then after the amount of women that poured their souls out to me, I thought that actually it is important that I do.  Maybe just for my own heeling process.  On Tuesday I found out the pregnancy (that I had not announced yet) was ectopic and therefore not viable.  This of course was devastating news to both me and Luis, our families and close friends but it also felt like a fairly lonely spot to be in.  However, I was quick to learn that this is not the case.  The amount of women that I know, sort of know, met once or twice who have shared their story with me is amazing.  The most common theme is that they felt very lonely with no one to talk to about it. Why is it that society makes women feel like they need to keep these events bottled up, especially when it is so common and sharing experiences could help themselves or others?  I am not sure of the answer to this, but it should not be this way (of course, if someone wishes to keep it private that is one thing but people should not suffer in silence).

Anyways, I have decided not to suffer in silence.

Besides the obvious reason for being upset about this situation, I am also now unable to fly to see my father, meet my niece and see my sister and brother in law.  I will be going there at Christmas but was so looking forward to the next ten days with them.  Luckily they are still only a phone call away and I will try to speak to them as much as I can as always.

Okay, well, the good news is I am out of hospital and my two L's have taken me off the island for some much needed rest and relaxation.  There is no doubt that I am one extremely lucky lady, I have been showered with love this week and now have time away with Luis and Lola.  We have come to our favourite place and spent a day looking for crabs, reading, and resting.  Just what the doctor ordered.

 On our way on a beautiful day.

 I think Lola did this just to cheer me up.

 A detox delicious ginger and pineapple drinks

Relaxing on the beach, there is nothing better for my soul then this.  So happy to be here with my L's.