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For timeline purposes, posts from 2008-2014 are summaries of significant happenings in those years. Please use the Blog Archive links to start at the beginning.

Past tense/Present tense language may change within a post, but those variances should not impact the overall telling of my experiences. I am Canadian, therefore, the spelling of some words (tumor/tumour, color/colour) may vary depending on if it's my wording or quoted text. I have tried to include both key words in the labels of relevant posts.

The blog contains medical terminology. I have tried to provide explanations or definitions when they occur. Occasionally medical images (nothing too graphic) are included to further explain or demonstrate.

Explanations and graphics link to original sources wherever possible with the exception of my personal photos.

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November 21, 2016

Holidays are coming!

The seasonal Controversy- best response

The title says it all! This one isn't IIH related once again, but it is addressing an issue that does cause a bit of a headache for many!  

One of my biggest pet peeves start up this time of year! Constantly on social media are the influx of posts of people complaining that you can't say "Merry Christmas", you have to say Happy Holidays, you can't have a Christmas Tree, you have to call it a "Holiday Tree" etc etc. 

Honestly, I haven't seen much of this outside of Facebook. I can't find any official publications that support this belief, at least nothing current, some articles published in 2013 regarding the controversy. Somewhere a couple of years ago, someone had an issue and it has perpetuated and festered over time to the point where everyone seems to have the opinion that people are not allowed to express the holiday wishes they are comfortable or familiar with. 

Now, I do understand that in the public school system, there has been some concern raised over the holiday season given that not all students in the school system celebrate Christmas, however, and this is my personal opinion here, I don't think banning the mention of Christmas in the public system is the answer, a better approach might be to make it a teachable, multi-cultural moment and allow students to share in one another's holiday experiences. This would require some open-mindedness on the parents and teachers behalf, but, in the long run, it could help to move past the issues that are arising each year and help people to accept a broader holiday season.

My suggestion would be, turn an area of the school into an international holiday display.

Let students put up a Christmas Tree, allow other respectful displays such as Kwanzaa Candles, the Menorah, and include some less familiar symbols from cultures and traditions that students may not immediately recognize. While I don't normally link to Wikipedia, I'm making an exception today. This is a listing of December holidays, including some fictional/virtual ones (interestingly enough Frostfell the Everquest holiday season isn't included!)

Player seasonal reward - Everquest

Like the opening image suggests, the simplest response, no matter what holiday greeting you receive, is "thanks, you too!", alternatively, if you're comfortable with Merry Christmas (or Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays... you get the picture), then make that your go to response regardless of what is said to you. 

And, in case I don't get back here before hand...








November 01, 2016

Halloween and Remembrance Day

So this post isn't IIH related, I occasionally take time to just enjoy the holidays and current seasons and try to ignore everything that's going on in my head! Today is one of those days!

Happy Halloween!!!
Ok, it's a day late, but I wanted keep the post together :)
Our Pumpkins this year 


 Rachel wanted a horse pumpkin given her horse craze, I completely understand!  Daddy did a great job considering his first time in years making a more intricate carving!  Rachel had a great Halloween.  She couldn't get her first choice of costume, Owlette from PJ Mask, but personally, I think her alternative was a much better choice! She choose the robe for the hoop in the dress, she just loves dresses that "twirl and spin" when she dances around, but it did add an eerie effect when she walked around!  I edited my first picture here to dim out the hallway where the picture was taken... I think the effect is quite spooky over all! 


Slightly edited (background dimmed) picture of Rachel's Halloween costume.   



This shot of her costume is unedited, taken in the elevator of our building .... 



Costume in natural lighting. The mask was a last minute touch that just set off the look perfectly! 






I put together a quick CSI outfit for myself, not your typical Crime Scene Investigator though!
I was a Candy Sweetness Inspector!  Someone has to check out that candy! 


Now that Halloween is over, Christmas and December is not far off.. but before those celebrations kick in I think it's important to give Remembrance Day it's proper respect!  Stores have Christmas decorations on the shelves even before Halloween stuff has been removed, and not a moment is taken to pay tribute to those who have served.

For those who are not familar with Remembrance Day 

Canadians recognize Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, every 11 November at 11 a.m. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the nation’s defence.

I have done a little research into my grandmother's arrival in Canada as a warbride, but the information is not easy to find.  I believe the ship that she arrived on was the Letitia, docking in Halifax at Pier 21 in 1946. My grandparents settled in Sault Ste Marie Ontario, where they lived out their lives. My grandfather passed away in 1980 and my grandmother in 1982.


My Grandparents
Gerald and Linda Dewar
Married in England 1945



Remember Me - Poem from Canadian Legion Magazine 1980
I am not the author, and I do not have the author's name. Any information regarding the author of this piece, please let me know so I can give appropriate credits!