Thoughtful Thursday: Ringing Bells for Barry

~We Don't Have Bells, But Arwen's Collar Jingles and That is What We're Using to Support Barry at 2PM Today~

It's been a rough year for Barry, over at An Explorer's View of Life. He first found a problem with his throat upon choking on a chicken bone at a restaurant. Fast forward nearly a year, he's been diagnosed with incurable throat cancer which has metastasized to his spine and hip, his mother in law passed away, and his own mother is very sick. Through it all, Barry has come through with raised spirits, positivity, and a unique glimpse into the life of someone dealing with their own mortality in a very unique situation.

However, today gives Barry something to cheer about, and allows us to cheer him on. At 2 PM today, hundreds of people will be ringing bells to commemorate Barry's last dose of Chemotherapy and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. The hospital erected a bell in their lobby for cancer patients to ring when they finish their last treatment, and so hundreds of us from around the world will also be ringing bells to cheer Barry on.

Arwen and I will be ringing Arwen's collar, since we don't have a bell. Arwen wanted to get in on the action so we will be shaking her collar, resplendent with metal tags that make a jingling sound every time she moves.

Here's to you Barry, keep fighting, we'll be right here in your corner, ringing bells for you!

and Arwen

Fabulous Friday Find: Crack Pie (Yes, You Read That Correctly)

~Image by (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)~

Yes, Crack Pie. It is not for the sugar-sensitive, diabetic, waist-conscious or health nut. It IS for anyone who wants a sinfully delicious dessert. If you don't want to make it yourself, Momofuku sells it for $44US a PIE. Yup, $44 EACH pie, plus FedEx shipping. Check out the recipe from the LA Times here. When I saw this, I knew I would have to try it. It is just missing one thing to make it the most orgasmalicious dessert of all time: chocolate. Then again, the addition of one more less-than-perfectly-healthy ingredient may end up sending the person eating it into a sugar coma ;-)

....Guess what I'll be trying to make this weekend? This might just be perfect for that special someone's sweet tooth this Valentine's day :)

Enjoy!

A Great Big Thank You Tuesday

~Dreaming of Spring - I just put in my seed order for this year!~

I just wanted to write a quick thank-you to everyone who has commented, emailed, Facebooked and sent prayers, well wishes and kind words after my post last week. I'm still on PB and rice cakes. Though I have tried to introduce vegetables and fruits back into my diet, it still meets with incredible resistance from my system. However, I will NOT give up! I am craving salads, lentils and lasagna like crazy and I am bound and determined that I will have them again. As soon as possible, maybe even all together, who knows??

On a good note, I have an appointment with a specialist next Wednesday... I suppose living in a rural community can have its good points - mainly that the specialists out here aren't nearly as overbooked as the ones in the big city an hour away. Hopefully after this consultation I'll have a better idea of tests to come, with a hopeful diagnosis and then treatment.

...Until then, I'm going to go have lunch. Hmm...I wonder...should I have peanut butter and rice cakes or rice cakes and peanut butter?? ;-)

Until next time,

An Apology, An Explanation

I know it has been a very long time since I have posted, and I am VERY sorry. Arwen and I are missing you all, and we feel very bad that we haven't posted, but I have been very, very ill. I have some sort of intestinal disease that the doctors are still trying to diagnose, but until then, I am sick constantly, and unable to eat anything but rice cakes and a small amount of peanut butter (yes, I find that weird as well, but it is the only protein and fat I can tolerate so I'll go with it). Aside from the fact that PB and rice cakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner is boring and not very tasty, it also leaves me with absolutely no energy for anything. Well, almost no energy. I did manage to make a few pieces of jewelry and a couple of bookmarks, but I haven't been able to photograph them yet...I'll try to get on that for you.

All this is not to ask for sympathy, or to whine and complain, but to give you a true apology, and I PROMISE we'll be back to posting every day when I'm feeling a bit better. I just wanted to let you all know thatArwen and I are here and visiting your blogs in return, even if we don't always comment (Arwen's paws aren't suited to typing on my laptop keyboard).

Until next time, have a great day, we send you happy thoughts and prayers for health, wealth and happiness :)


and Arwen