This was in Sunday's Toronto Star paper; 3-pages including a front page photo. It's her story in her words as told to the Toronto Star editor, Adam Gutteridge, via email over the last 3 months.
A Mother's Tale
There's also a link to one of the video's that was played at Michelle's funeral:
Video
And finally a "speak out" section, where people comment on the article and/or her story.
Speak Out
Monday, February 12, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
New Furniture
Well after MUCH discussion and looking around at different furniture stores, we stopped in at Ikea the other day, and actually both liked a matching coffee table and stereo component unit.
Now, before I begin, I am usually the first person to tell someone how much I hate Ikea and the furniture there. We went a few months ago in December and didn't find anything that we liked or that would work for what we need. But this time we did! We bought (real wood) 2 pieces to replace dad's old entertainment unit and the table we had in there -- I think Marn's mom picked that up for us for about $5 at a garage sale. it will probably be turned into a Garden plant table or something like that, but I don't think it'll last very long in that role since it's made of particle board.
Anyway, we spent a little more than I wanted to (for Ikea furniture), but it's pretty solid and half decent stuff. I also spent more time putting it together and glued all the pieces together to give it a little more strength. The only things that I'm not completely thrilled about is the stereo shelf is pretty crammed for the parts that we have. Only the middle section is wide enough for typical stereo components, so the 4 that we have in it are pretty tight. It should work, though.
We originally started looking at nice pine and oak units from the Mennonites around the area, but everything, although it was gorgeous, was upwards of $800-900 for one piece. We didn't really want to spend that kind of money right now, even though in the long run it's usually worth it. So we went for the "nice, but cheap" look. We also need to find a smaller computer desk to put into that room and move Echo's crate out. Speaking of which, the rest of the computer parts should be delivered today - Finally!
Speaking of Echo's crate...
Last night as I was finishing putting the stereo cabinet together he decided that he was tired and laid down in his crate by himself. It's rare for him to do that when we're in the room with him, but that was kind of neat. Marnie went to bed, and when I was done, I got him up to go outside. When he came back in, he went upstairs by himself again - also odd when I'm down there as he always hangs out to see what I'm up to. I figured that he went into his crate and laid down again. A few minutes later I came up and noticed that he wasn't in his crate. The computer room door was open, though, so I figured he was eating paper or something as is usual when he's in that room by himself. He wasn't. He was curled up on his bed in our room beside our bed. So cute! I asked Marn if she called him in to lay there and she said no, he did it by himself. He came right in, laid down, and closed his eyes. So unusual! He ALWAYS sniffs around for something to chew... So I left him - normally I'd get him up to crate him, but he was being really good. He got up only 2 or 3 times through the night which woke me up (I have to admit, I think I was sleeping lightly -- on the ready to catch any chewing!) but I just told him to lay down and he did. I think he was just getting up to turn around and get comfy.
We're happy about that, but I'm not sure that I'm ready for him to be in our room every night. He's still too young and has too many puppy tendencies for my comfort. I must admit, though, he's listening to us more and more by the day. Now only if we could get him to stop pulling on walks.....
Now, before I begin, I am usually the first person to tell someone how much I hate Ikea and the furniture there. We went a few months ago in December and didn't find anything that we liked or that would work for what we need. But this time we did! We bought (real wood) 2 pieces to replace dad's old entertainment unit and the table we had in there -- I think Marn's mom picked that up for us for about $5 at a garage sale. it will probably be turned into a Garden plant table or something like that, but I don't think it'll last very long in that role since it's made of particle board.
Anyway, we spent a little more than I wanted to (for Ikea furniture), but it's pretty solid and half decent stuff. I also spent more time putting it together and glued all the pieces together to give it a little more strength. The only things that I'm not completely thrilled about is the stereo shelf is pretty crammed for the parts that we have. Only the middle section is wide enough for typical stereo components, so the 4 that we have in it are pretty tight. It should work, though.
We originally started looking at nice pine and oak units from the Mennonites around the area, but everything, although it was gorgeous, was upwards of $800-900 for one piece. We didn't really want to spend that kind of money right now, even though in the long run it's usually worth it. So we went for the "nice, but cheap" look. We also need to find a smaller computer desk to put into that room and move Echo's crate out. Speaking of which, the rest of the computer parts should be delivered today - Finally!
Speaking of Echo's crate...
Last night as I was finishing putting the stereo cabinet together he decided that he was tired and laid down in his crate by himself. It's rare for him to do that when we're in the room with him, but that was kind of neat. Marnie went to bed, and when I was done, I got him up to go outside. When he came back in, he went upstairs by himself again - also odd when I'm down there as he always hangs out to see what I'm up to. I figured that he went into his crate and laid down again. A few minutes later I came up and noticed that he wasn't in his crate. The computer room door was open, though, so I figured he was eating paper or something as is usual when he's in that room by himself. He wasn't. He was curled up on his bed in our room beside our bed. So cute! I asked Marn if she called him in to lay there and she said no, he did it by himself. He came right in, laid down, and closed his eyes. So unusual! He ALWAYS sniffs around for something to chew... So I left him - normally I'd get him up to crate him, but he was being really good. He got up only 2 or 3 times through the night which woke me up (I have to admit, I think I was sleeping lightly -- on the ready to catch any chewing!) but I just told him to lay down and he did. I think he was just getting up to turn around and get comfy.
We're happy about that, but I'm not sure that I'm ready for him to be in our room every night. He's still too young and has too many puppy tendencies for my comfort. I must admit, though, he's listening to us more and more by the day. Now only if we could get him to stop pulling on walks.....
Michelle
Michelle's funeral yesterday was really nice as a lot of people came up to share their memories and thoughts. There were 2 slide shows with many pictures from high school and later which was nice to see. We all knew it, but it was amazing how many people were there to pay their respects to a wonderful woman. I think her parents were a little overwhelmed with how many were touched by their daughter. She started a journal one week earlier and for part of it, she started writing details on how she wanted her own funeral to go, including her own obituary, so that Terry and her friends wouldn't have to stress about it. She planned everything down to who would MC, to what songs to play during slide shows, to who the pallbearers would be and what she'd like them to wear. It was "anything with pink" for the girls, by the way. We also found out that 2 weeks ago when we received that last email, the doctors gave her 6 months. She was hoping to make it through February at least.
She spoke to people with honesty and sincerity that made you like her immediately. She knew the right things to say to comfort you or make you laugh, or realize you're being a goof. When things were getting tough for her, she'd tell us with humour and lightheartedness as to not bring us down. It's a very selfless thing and a rare gift to possess, but seeing the amount of people out yesterday, you know she had it. Everyone who met her, just simply liked her. There was something about her, you know?
She spoke to people with honesty and sincerity that made you like her immediately. She knew the right things to say to comfort you or make you laugh, or realize you're being a goof. When things were getting tough for her, she'd tell us with humour and lightheartedness as to not bring us down. It's a very selfless thing and a rare gift to possess, but seeing the amount of people out yesterday, you know she had it. Everyone who met her, just simply liked her. There was something about her, you know?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Snipping Postponed
We have decided, on the advice of our breeder, to hold out on Echo's neutering. She convinced us that if he doesn't have any "bad" male traits yet, then to hold off on that until 12-14 months as it will result in a better looking dog.
She said as long as he doesn't get a sniff of a female in heat, he'll most likely be fine, but if he does he could "change" in a matter of a week. But that we should also do it if he starts showing any "strong male behaviour" like lifting the leg while peeing, or aggressive advances at other dogs.
So we'll wait... Marnie is counting the days.
She said as long as he doesn't get a sniff of a female in heat, he'll most likely be fine, but if he does he could "change" in a matter of a week. But that we should also do it if he starts showing any "strong male behaviour" like lifting the leg while peeing, or aggressive advances at other dogs.
So we'll wait... Marnie is counting the days.
TV Room
On the weekend, we managed to get most of the room done upstairs, minus some painting. Chris came over to help me mount the TV -- it looks awesome. We need to find new furniture for the stereo components, though, so we're constantly on the lookout at Winners/Homesense and other furniture stores. This week we are going to stop at Ikea to get some "hidden" shelves or whatever they're called for the two walls near the windows. Dad's old entertainment unit was taken out which made the room look so much bigger. While moving that heavy sucker, I think I hurt my back. Chris and I both struggled to lift it to get it out to the garage. I bet it weighs 160 lbs..
We also made the decision to put Echo's crate into the spare room/office once we get our new computer (2.5 weeks after ordering, and it's still not here...), and put the new computer into the living room with the TV near the front windows. We will have to pick up a smaller computer table as well for that. The large computer table will go into the basement as a craft table for Marn.
We love it so far, and are looking forward to getting it all done. We are going to have to try and get most of it done - at least the painting - before next week as we want to have it ready before our neighbours come over to watch LOST! (they may not be able to come, though).
Michelle's visitation and funeral are on Wednesday and Thursday in Markham. Marn and I took both days off, but I'm not sure what we're doing yet. We may try and meet up with our friends either before, or after one of the visitations, and then go back for the funeral on Thursday. A lot of my friends from around here are staying overnight, but I don't think we're going to do that. It's going to be a tough next couple of days....
We also made the decision to put Echo's crate into the spare room/office once we get our new computer (2.5 weeks after ordering, and it's still not here...), and put the new computer into the living room with the TV near the front windows. We will have to pick up a smaller computer table as well for that. The large computer table will go into the basement as a craft table for Marn.
We love it so far, and are looking forward to getting it all done. We are going to have to try and get most of it done - at least the painting - before next week as we want to have it ready before our neighbours come over to watch LOST! (they may not be able to come, though).
Michelle's visitation and funeral are on Wednesday and Thursday in Markham. Marn and I took both days off, but I'm not sure what we're doing yet. We may try and meet up with our friends either before, or after one of the visitations, and then go back for the funeral on Thursday. A lot of my friends from around here are staying overnight, but I don't think we're going to do that. It's going to be a tough next couple of days....
Monday, January 29, 2007
the worst news...
Yesterday I received a call letting us know that our friend Michelle, who has been fighting breast cancer over the last year, had succumbed to the disease at around noon. She died in hospital surrounded by her family, after arriving home from a family vacation in Florida last week. 2 weeks ago we received an email from her explaining that after yet more tests, the cancer had spread into her liver and spine. She never did tell anyone what the doctors had told her, or what time line they gave her, but it was apparent from the email that the news was devastating. We never for a second thought that we would have to deal with this only 2 weeks after that email.
Mid-December she had a full hysterectomy and second mastectomy to try and stay ahead of the cancer.
She was a beautiful person, full of life and happiness and that's how we'll remember her. She leaves behind her husband Terry and 2 children Nate and Noelle.
We will miss you, Michelle!!
Taken January 23, 2007
Mid-December she had a full hysterectomy and second mastectomy to try and stay ahead of the cancer.
She was a beautiful person, full of life and happiness and that's how we'll remember her. She leaves behind her husband Terry and 2 children Nate and Noelle.
We will miss you, Michelle!!
Is this someone dying of cancer?!
Taken January 23, 2007
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