A lot of time has passed since the last post I realized and given I flipped my little calendar (a new pic of Mireya and Kinsley is a wonderful way to start the month) to August today, my delay in posting seemed to blink brighter ;) Quickly on health - big picture health looks good. Still take the daily pill that tries to prevent a breast cancer recurrence, and a couple others that are to keep the scleroderma to a dull idle. The few bumps in the zoomed in picture are manageable...ear still in "darth vader" mode (I sound like him when I breathe - luckily only I can hear it!) since last year's ear infection, apparently something I have to get used to (no surgery option) but the CT a few weeks ago did show an improvement from last August so there's always hope, so my acupuncture visits will continue just in case! Neck wound while closed has a not-so-pretty scab that seems like it's making a permanent home - I'm now using lavender and tee-tree oil to help urge it to fine alternative housing. I've even found some other blend of essential oil is limiting my leg cramps at night! My physio, pilates and cupping appointments continue to improve my strength and overall range of motion. My hair which did come back since last year, seems to be thinning again, so I have been wearing my "blonde" again lately and may look for another look - I've attached Jack's favourite from my search in Jan last year for fun. I won't go that long but maybe something in between would be interesting. Stay tuned. 
I mention the bumps only for my "stakeholders" who want to know. But like the latest weather, I really don't notice them much anymore. Since last post I've been doing some very interesting work - a Canadian role focused on process improvement and a global role assisting other PwC territories with implementing data auditing technology. I've enjoyed learning, sharing and interacting with people from all over the globe, including presenting at a workshop in Miami in June. As many people I deal with are in South America and Mexico, I have even learned a bit of Spanish thanks to a little app called DuoLingo - free and very effective if you want to try (20+languages available)!
As usual, my highlights of the past months often include travels. Mom, Colleen and I passed on the usual Vegas trip and instead, along with Joelle, checked out Whistler, White Rock and a quick dip below the border to Washington in a whirlwind April trip. It was great to see them as well as the boys and the pups - Grady's height is overshadowed by Chloe's length ;)
May certainly included a trip covering a couple "firsts" - Mexico and an all-inclusive. Yvette and Andrew's wedding at the Finest in Playa del Mujeres was an amazing experience - their event was truly magical and it was so fun to celebrate their happiness and the week with a wonderful group of friends and both of their families. I lived in the moment the whole time - and took limited pictures unfortunately as a result!
Right before Miami, Shelley and I tasted the wonders of Okanagan wine as we enjoyed 5 days at the Summerland resort. Sipping wine, watching Sideways when it rained, catching up as only friends from forever (our moms were friends before we were born so literally forever) can do and enjoying the sunset on the lake should really bump out some of those typical "bucket list" items.
In between these trips, I continued to enjoy my weekly visits with Tasha, Andrew (yes both Yvette and Tash have married Andrews - I am assuming the third Andrew is coming for me soon;)) and their family. Talyn is now 11, Ruby just turned 10 and Brodie will be 13 in the fall. Great kids. And Ivy, well she's still a (big, fluffy) pup. I also love hanging out with Jack and Davis almost every week when they stay over at Nana and Papa's (who I also love spending a lot of time with) - hard to imagine they are now 10 (picture note - Jack had a concussion so only wanted a small cupcake that day...extremely rare occurrence).
In early June I also attended a fundraiser where the SkyPainters (check out their site www.theSkyPainters.com) raised $200,000 with their amazing skies of hope gala. The painting they did for me went beyond my budget to an anonymous bidder - when I got back from Miami, I found it hanging on my office wall, with a Happy Birthday card signed by about 20 partners from PwC. Yep. Incredible group of Sherpas helping me to continue climbing the mountain.
Speaking of amazing people, in April the world lost an incredible woman, my great aunt Marj. She was a strong, intelligent, beautiful and loving person who I was lucky to have known, loved and to have been loved by. I was honoured to be a part of her celebration of life, and to spend time with Ellen, Pat, Amy and family to laugh, cry and recall moments of a life well lived. As the song goes.... "She is handsome, she is pretty, she's the Belle of Belfast city." Love you Aunt Marj.