Cracked the code - I'M IN!!!

At has been far too long since my last post. The reason is somewhat embarrassing...I forgot my log-in information...all of it...the ID, password, connected email address, everything - even the name of my blog had become fuzzy!

I returned a few times to crack the code but always failed miserably or was drawn away to tend to my daughter's latest antics - she is now a very busy 17 month old who is in full-tilt toddler mode all day long. Anyway, I never managed how to get back into my blog - until now! I think I mentioned that I suffer from mommy brain...?

I'll be back soon with an update!

Diaper Dilemma Solved!

Every parent wrestles with one question: What diaper will help protect us from our sweet little angel's not so sweet by-products? Stories of catastrophic blow-outs and unexpected deluges abound in social circles dominated by the mommy and daddy set. To hear us all joke about the need for mudflaps and splash guards a passerby could understandably assume that we're truckers talking about the latest mess protection gear for our 18-wheelers. But, no, we're simply parents trying to deal with the neverending supply of pee and poop.

We decided early on to try cloth diapering. But we gave ourselves a break in the first 3 months...we let ourselves succumb to the charms of Pampers. LOVE Pampers! Huggies leaked and felt scratchy but Pampers worked perfectly. We should have listened to my sister from the get-go. She assured us that Pampers were IT and that there was no point trying the competitors. She was right. If you're a new parent and are going to use disposables, I highly recommend Pampers Swaddlers.

When we felt that we had a handle on the parent and baby tango we jumped into the world of cloth. We looked at prefolds, Bummis, Happy Heinys, A.M.P., Bum Genius, G Diapers but finally settled on the diaper that first caught our eye, Fuzzi Bunz. Now, you know how much I love our Pampers. Well, I like Fuzzi Bunz even more. They are AWESOME! They look, feel and fit great. Even better, they WORK.

So you'll be hearing more about Fuzzi Bunz from me....soon. But right now I have to run. We've had a very rainy summer so far and, for once, we have a sunny and warm evening to enjoy. So we're about to head out to do just that. Forgive me for running off mid-thought/mid-rave ;-).

Procure Walk of Courage 2009 - What a success!

I am so glad that I found this event and even happier that I participated. What a great day! My husband and I rolled out with Sara in her stroller to walk alongside an energized crowd of about 300 walkers. The walk itself was beautiful - it took us through the lovely paths of Île Sainte-Hélène. The day ended with inspirational speeches, a big BBQ, live entertainment and socializing amongst the participants. Feeling empowered at the end of a day rather than angry or helpless was a very welcome change. It was just what we needed.

The last year and a half has been difficult. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2008. Sadly, it was detected too late and he was told rather matter-of-factly that he won't beat it. Nevertheless, he is facing it with the same spirit and energy that he has brought to every other aspect of his life.

Prostate cancer has an excellent cure rate - 95% of tumors can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough. Unfortunately, Dad's was caught late. Symptoms he brought to his doctor's attention were dismissed as being normal for a fellow in his seventies. Eventually the doctor prescribed treatment for arthritis. When Dad returned for a 4th visit to complain about bone pain his doctor had what Oprah might call an "aha" moment. A PSA test was ordered... and the doctor returned to my dad looking like he'd been slapped across the face. Normally, the level of PSA detected in the blood is between 0.0 and 4.0. My father's came back at over 850... Further tests. And then the diagnosis: very advanced, high-grade metastatic prostate cancer. Incurable. The cancer had been running rampant for a while, they think for 3 or 4 years. So that explains my feelings of anger.

As for feelings of helplessness... Dad and I live about a thousand miles apart, not an ideal situation. I wish I was closer so that I could offer day-to-day support and to help keep his mind off of things. He's not one to wallow in self-pity but, lets face it, dealing with cancer is hard. There are days when it's obvious that it's getting to him. I do what I can across the miles and during visits but it never seems like enough. Because he's my father.

So preparing for and doing the walk was therapeutic altruism. Amazingly, each and every person I approached wanted to make a donation. I was very, very touched by this, especially given the tough economic times we're experiencing. The warm and generous support offered by family, friends and local merchants means that Procure will be able to help many more people. Thank you so much, everyone!

I thought the least I could do in return was to shine a spotlight on the shops, restaurants and service centers owned by these fine people. I encourage you to spend some time in the Dorval village discovering what they have to offer. You won't be disappointed :).

A BIG thank-you to:

Wild Willy's
Ice cream
539 Lakeshore Drive

Produits Ecologiques Mareka
Environmentally-friendly cleaning products, composters, baby carriers, diapers and more!
535 Lakeshore Drive
http://www.mareka.org

Bijouterie Jean-Guy Aubry
Jewellers
435 Lakeshore Drive
http://www.aubrybijoux.com/index.html

Toilettage Doggy Style
Pet grooming
543 Lakeshore Drive

Raviolissimo
Delicious fresh pasta and sauces
618 Lakeshore Drive

Boucherie Chartier
Butcher
655 Lakeshore Drive

Rona
Hardware, paint, and more!
707 Lakeshore Drive

Chaussures Monte Carlo
Shoes, handbags and more!
715 Lakeshore Drive

T&M Sushi Bar
Sushi
678 Lakeshore Drive

Restaurant Natalino
Italian cuisine
365 Lakeshore Drive
http://www.natalino.ca/

Bellissimo Resto Bar
Italian cuisine & live entertainment
484 Lakeshore Drive

* Listed in no particular order. Also, while some businesses of the Dorval village are missing from the list it is not because they declined a chance to donate. The owners were simply not in when I stopped by.

PROCURE Walk of Courage 2009

On Sunday June 21st, I will participate in PROCURE’s Walk of Courage to help support their work in prostate cancer awareness, research and early detection. I thought you might also be interested in supporting this important cause. There are many ways to do so - you can walk with me, sponsor a walker, spread word of the event to your friends and family, and/or simply take steps to better your own understanding of the disease and how to help stop it in its tracks.

On-line registration for walkers is very easy - you can sign up as an individual or create a team. The PROCURE site also makes it easy for people to make tax-deductible donations. Every little bit helps and is appreciated!

If you would like to sponsor me, please click:

https://www.marcheprocure.com/2009/en/participer/parrain-individu-form.php?id=397


PROCURE Walk of Courage 2009

Sunday June 21st, Father's Day
Île Ste-Hélène
On-site registration opens at 9 a.m.
The walk starts at 11 a.m.

Co-chairmen:
M. Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal & Mr. Dickie Moore, NHL legend

ABOUT THE WALK

The walk contributes in a positive way to paying tribute to all those who have fought and who are still fighting this type of cancer, which affects the lives of many thousands of men. In addition, the walk enables the public to participate in an event that brings hope, because the money raised will be used to fund essential activities in the fight against prostate cancer.


WHY AND FOR WHOM?

A walk symbolizes every step that is being taken to beat the illness. Every step counts. And every dollar raised also counts, because the needs are as great as the hope to someday overcome this illness, which affects one man in seven.

The walk brings together those people who want to support the efforts made to promote screening and reverse the statistics. Participants include the young and the young-at-heart, survivors and their loved ones, key figures in sports and the arts, not to mention the heroes who are dealing with the daily reality of cancer treatments. You can walk alone, recruit members of your family, colleagues, business partners—the idea is to make June 21 a day of solidarity and action.

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men. However, 95% of tumours can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough. We must therefore intensify our efforts to recognize and identify the causes of the illness, promote screening and support research.

All of this requires money. Each walker helps raise the funds necessary to tackle this tremendous challenge.

PROCURE
2001 McGill College Avenue
Suite 200
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1

Tel: 514 985-1320 or
Toll Free 1 866 899-CURE (2873)
Fax: 514 985-1363

https://www.marcheprocure.com/2009/en/index.php

THANK YOU!

A Whole New World

Blogs. Bloggers. Blogging. I'm exploring a whole new world.

To blog or not to blog... THAT is the question. I have yet to come up with an answer! Until I do I will entertain myelf by reading blogs, about blogs, the pros and cons of blogging... Stay tuned!