The WCBCF Video - Amazing!

We did the video shoot for the World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation (WCBCF) today. It was absolutely amazing.

The key thing about this video is that it was not just to promote the World Conference on Breast Cancer, but to celebrate survivorship.

It is our intent to show people worldwide that breast cancer does not discriminate – no one is immune. We know that throughout the world many women face great barriers when it comes to breast cancer: lack of awareness about the disease (detection, diagnosis and treatability); lack of resources; lack of support; and fear of discussion.

Many women here in Canada and around the world are uncomfortable talking about cancer, let alone breast cancer. As a result, when these women are diagnosed they are often feel isolated and unsupported. This video is our opportunity to tell the women of the world that it is ok to stand up and fight for survival and celebrate life. And boy did we celebrate today.

The director, WendyD, filming crew, all of the musicians, film editors and survivors who participated were all volunteers. So I on behalf of the WCBCF want to express my sincerest gratitude.

This was an amazing day. I cannot wait to share the results.

Today is my Birthday!

Yes, it is my birthday today. 49th

I know - no one is 49 - they are actually 50ish or more. Well it is true - I am 49 (although I could possibly be 49 again next year).

Today is special for other reasons - we are pulling all of the last minute details together for our YouTube video shoot to promote the World Conference on Breast Cancer.

I cannot wait to share the final results with you - this is all very exciting.

A great day - on many fronts.

Technology Bonds

I gave our oldest daughter my old blackberry and needless to say there was great delight.

Unfortunately that was short lived as she attempted to move the phone over to her phone plans and have my old security profile wiped off. She lost everything (messages, contact list, etc.) and the phone went into total failure.

OH MY! She was in total overload distress. No one could reach her. She couldn't call anyone. No texting for a whole day. She arrived tonight for dinner - totally stressed out and ready to blast someone - anyone - for the phone problems she was having.

The good news - her dad is really tech savvy. He figured out what was wrong and fixed the phone. They spent hours texting, SMSing, pinging, BBing (whatever this language is) each other and selecting ring tones for their various means of connecting. The bonding was amazing.

Dad is a hero. Daughter is happy. I am happy too.

Making Less Time For Dirty Socks

I have always had an interest in the spiritual side of our existence and do believe that some people are more sensitive to spiritual energies than others. Whether they can correctly interpret those energies is another discussion. So from time to time I like to see a psychic to satisfy my interest. I don't plan my life around what they say or change my direction, but I do sometimes pick out some of the nuggets they provide.

I don't know if I mentioned that when I was up at Whistler I went to see a psychic. One, of many, things my psychic told me was that my life was very busy doing stuff for everyone else (I know that is pretty much every woman). She said I am feeling overwhelmed and consumed by the demands of others. She added that I need to slow down, let some stuff go and do something for myself. Specifically something creative.

My life is crazy right now with so many competing demands and every demand is as important as the next. It is a matter of shuffling priorities. Unfortunately, I become the lowest on the priority list. I think about things I want to do for myself, then something else gets in the way. I don't feel overwhelmed but I do sometimes feel frustrated that I am not doing things for myself.

I have tried to let some stuff go - you know ... things like laundry. When the mountain of dirty socks just about tumbled on to me as I walked into the laundry room - I realized that was probably NOT one of the things I should let go.

What I have let go of is caring about things that are not that important - like the fact there was a mountain of dirty socks. Dirty socks won't start a war, cause an time rift or ecological disaster. They are just there waiting. So rather than jumping on them the moment they fall - I let them wait a little longer so I can spend time in my studio working on my stained glass or go for a walk on the sea wall.

I am making less time for the dirt socks and more time for me.

What do you believe?

Having a quite Saturday, reading the National Post newspaper and came across my horoscope. It was such a great message I really felt I needed to share it. So my thanks to writer - Georgia Nicols.

"We often forget about our spiritual life until something serious occurs, then we reach out, even if we're floundering. This is a good day to ponder your spiritual values. Have you ever though about what you actually believe in?"

Mountain Air

I have just spent the week in Whistler with my husband, youngest daughter and her friend. We have hiked on the mountain, played in snow, seen chipmunks and bears, been swimming in the lake and pool, laid on the beach, shopped and laughed like silly fools for days. The last time we were here was during the Olympic Winter Games. The pace is significantly slower to say the least.

It is so wonderful to be here enjoying each others company and the fresh mountain air. Unfortunately the air changed yesterday with a shift of the wind. There are forest fires to the Northeast and the smoke has filled the valley. Even though the reason for the smoke is devastating, it also brings a strange beauty. Everything has an amazing golden haze and glow and the air has a sweet smell.

I am just about to pack up the car - the girls are running down to get one last dip in the pool. We will take a leisurely ride home - probably stop along the way to check out the sights and no doubt get some ice cream.

No hurries - no worries.