Anniversary #14 - The Pandemic Edition

 A lot has happened since my last post.  We are still in the pandemic and we are in yet another lockdown.  We've both gotten our 1st Covid shot.  But there has been an unexpected turn in our lives that none of us could have ever expected.  I have stage 3 ovarian cancer. 

I haden't been feeling well for some time now, but because my family doctor hasn't seen patients for almost 2 years, it never really got checked out.  I got a telephone consult and she ordered bloodwork and an ultrasound, but because of Covid the ultrasound would have taken a month.  I told Neal that I'm just not feeling well, please take me to the hospital ER to get checked out.  They did a CT scan and found the cancer right away.  I was referred to Sunnybrook Hospital from North York General because they have a better cancer clinic.  On March 15th I had my surgery to remove what they could of the cancer. and I would begin my cancer journey.  They weren't able to get all of it removed since there was just too much and it would have endangered my life.  After a few weeks of recovery at my parents house I returned home to continue getting well with Neal.

Just before my chemo treatments were to start, I got my 1st Moderna shot.  3 days later I had my 1st chemo treatment.  By the end of the week I had a massive allergic reaction.  It started off right in the chemo room where I was having trouble breathing.  The nurse gave me more antihistamines.  By Friday I was in the hospital ER covered in a rash and having trouble breathing again.  The doctors were able to get the rash and breathing under control.  On Sunday my joints started to swell as well.  By Tuesday my joints were so swollen that I needed to be physically picked up from the couch and put into a chair and taken to hospital by ambulance.  I stayed in hospital in congestive heart failure for 5 days until they got it all under control.  

To this day, they don't know if it was the Moderna shot or the chemo treatment or both that caused the reaction.  Now I don't know what will happen with shot #2.  I will let the doctors figure that out.

 

My sister-in-law surprised Neal and I with these wonderful treats from Tim Hortons.  We were so surprised and happy.

So for our anniversary yesterday, I made this giant chocolate chip cookie.  I wasn't up for eating cake and this was much lighter.  We still can't go out for a special dinner, so I am making a roast and Greek lemon potatoes for dinner on Friday.

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

Some of the things that I have been baking in the kitchen

  These challahs are:  2 doves, 2 Shabbat candle sticks, a torah and a small challah

  This is a special round challah for the High Holidays.

 

This is my latest attempt at NY Style Bagels

 

This is Ally the Alligator

 

Calzones

 

 

Freddie the Frog and a lily pad

 

 

Thomas the turtle

 

 

Ally's cousin Albert the Alligator

  And some pita 

The extra time at home has given me a lot of time baking and cooking up new recipes.  More to come.

 

 

Happy Birthday Neal

 On Thanksgiving Neal celebrated his birthday.  I had seen this cake design on Youtube and wanted to make it for him.  the original cake had M & M's on top instead of the beach and water.  It also was tied with a pretty ribbon (which isn't all that manly so was replaced).  I made a standard chocolate boxed cake mix in two 9" cake pans.  Let them cool completely in the fridge over night.  This makes icing the cake a whole lot easier.  Then level both cakes so that they stack nicely.  Put your favourite frosting in between the two cakes.  Then ice the top of the cake.  This makes it easier to decorate.  I used vanilla icing in between the two cakes.  I used vanilla icing on the top and then, in a separate bowl mixed in some of the blue icing into the white icing to create the water and some waves.  For the sand I used crushed graham cracker crumbs.  Then you can add Teddy Grams and umbrellas.  Lastly I iced the sides of the cake with chocolate icing and pressed the KitKat bars into the icing.  The last step is to tie the bow around the cake.  It's not mandatory, but it looks nice and gives the chocolate bars some added support.  And there you have it, the KitKat cake.

  Neal had a great birthday even though, because of the pandemic he was not able to have his whole family and friends over.  We did have his parents and my parents over for lunch.  I made a large sheet pan pizza, party sandwiches and a Greek salad.  We also had cake, fruit and some cookies.  

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!!

Day 197 And Counting

 Today is day 197 that I have been home from the university.  We were sent home on March 15th to work from home.  There have been some technical issues, but for the most-part I am very happy here at home.  My husband is also working from home.  It is possible, that his stay here could become permanent as his office has absolutely no space for the employees to be socially distanced.  The open concept office is now dead, probably forever.  Thank goodness what a stupid idea that was.  Just like all countries that are ahead of us in the virus progression, our numbers have started to go up drastically once businesses and schools have opened back up.  The opening of  schools was a complete and utter disaster.  The government show a total disregard for the health and safety of all students and teachers.  Many classrooms are over full with no social distancing.  Some students are in class, some are virtual learning.   They are also lacking teachers, bus drivers and office staff as people do not want to be exposed to the virus.  The other day, the number was 700 new cases.  I am expecting us to be going back down to stage 2 or a total lock down should the numbers continue on this upward trend.  It's the same thing that happened in Australia, Japan, China, etc.  The one place that the virus progression is totally out of control is the USA.  Because their President isn't taking it seriously and thereby neither are the citizens.   The only place with higher numbers is India.  But that is because of the slum conditions, and overcrowding.  There is absolutely no excuse for the USA to have so many cases.  The boarder remains closed for the duration of the pandemic.  The only way to get across the boarder seems to be via plane.  Air Canada seems to "think" that passengers are somehow immune to the virus and are saying it's safe to fly.  HA HA how many times have we heard that a flight has arrived in Canada with Covid-19 infected people on it.  OFTEN!!!  People are suppose to be in quarantine.  Who really knows?

The anti-maskers are the biggest problem.  They don't believe that wearing a mask and social distancing is important.  They also believe that wearing a mask is somehow taking away their rights.  I still don't understand that line of thinking.  It seems to me that they are just selfish and self-centered stupid people.  If they carry the virus yet don't exhibit symptoms, but then pass it onto someone who is elderly or infirm and make them sick, they don't seem to care.  They say that everyone should get sick.  They call it herd mentality.  I call it stupid.  When a vaccine is developed they will not get it.

Pandemic During Our Anniversary #13

Today is day 71 in isolation and the pandemic is still ongoing.  There have been so many people who just cannot follow simple rules.  How hard is it to wear a mask and social distance?  It's not!!  But there are some very spoiled and stupid people who think that the government is taking away their rights.  Yes I'm talking about you snowflakes at Trinity Bellwoods Park who thought a crowded park with no social distancing during a pandemic would be a wonderful idea.  I guess they will enjoy ending up on a ventilator when they get the virus.  There are been many cases at the Walmart near our house, one case at the Sobeys and so many more that we probably don't even know about.  People are sick and contagious long before they actually feel sick and that's what makes this even more dangerous.

So during all of this, Neal and I are still working from home, we are still healthy and happy.  Yes we have spent more time together than we ever have since we've been married and we still love each other.

We had our 13th wedding anniversary on the 20th of May.  Sadly we couldn't go out for dinner to celebrate and my parents felt sad about this.  Mom and Dad made us a whole dinner and brought it over for us to cook.  I couldn't thank them more for their love and kindness.  Dinner was fantastic.  They sent us a roast, potatoes and some corn and fruit for desert.  I set the table with candles to set the mood.  It really was lovely.  Neal and I both exchanged Starbucks gift cards.  Ha ha we've been married so long that we think alike.  Let's hope for next anniversary we will be able to go out to a restaurant or on a trip to celebrate.

One other thing happened that brought joy to our lives, we are Auntie and Uncle for the 7th time.  Neal's brother and sister-in-law had a little baby girl named Zoe.  She was born on May 23rd and is absolutely beautiful.  Mazel tov to both of them.

Well folks, that is it for now.  Please stay safe and healthy!

Working From Home In A Pandemic

Well, I have to apologize for not posting anything for such a long time.  Life tends to get in the way.  I will post today about life in self-isolation during a pandemic.  So it's day 5 of working from home since the virus has taken over the world.  Covid-19 came out of China and since none of the governments shut down travel fast enough, travelers have spread the virus world-wide. 

Some folks have taken to this whole staying home thing like a champ and others should be ashamed of themselves.  Yes I'm talking to the toilet paper horders and those who have cleared off the entire shelves of groceries not leaving anything for the rest of us.  Congratulations you will now have enough toilet paper and other paper goods to last you into the next millennium.  Other horders are now trying to sell their ill-gotten goods on the likes of Amazon and other sites only to be stopped in their tracks.  I hope it was worth it.  Sure there are some very kind people out there offering to buy groceries for homebound folks in isolation.  Those who either have the virus, or are too scared to leave their homes to get groceries or are just following the rules.  There are others, who are trying to prey on the unsuspecting people with offers of kindness only to later be duped into pay a lot of money.  You can really see what kinds of people there are during times like these.  Neal and I are here at home working in our respective home offices.  Working from home is something that I have wanted to try out for many years now.  It's not bad.  I enjoy not driving to and from the office each day and not trying to figure out what to make for lunch each day.  I have to admit it's a bit lonely, but I could really get use to this in a big hurry.  One skill that my husband and I have learned, is how to do a Zoom meeting.  It's great! 

So my final bit of advice before I close here is this:

1.  Buy what you need when you need it.  Please don't horde food or paper goods.  Everyone needs stuff.

2.Follow what Health Canada is asking you to do....STAY HOME.

3.  If you have traveled (see above).  On the way home from the airport do not go and buy groceries.  You could infect others.

4.  This next bit of advice is going to be difficult...keep a sense of humour and don't watch too much of the doom and gloom on the news.  It's enough to give you a panic attack.

5.  Be kind.  Offer to help someone in need and just smile.  Many people are worse off than you are.  Many people are feeling depressed and anxious.  Call up your loved ones just to say hi.  Elderly people and those living alone may be very lonely.

6.  Say thank you so someone working in an essential service.  They have to work in these scary times and could very well get infected.  A smile and a thank you might brighten their day.

Well, that's it for me right now.  Please stay safe and healthy.

The Distilliery District

 Should you ever be looking for something to do, I strongly suggest you visit the Distillery District.  It's an old factory that was lovingly restored.  It houses arts and craft shops, jewellery stores, cafes, a chocolate store, bars and sometimes even some live music and street festivals.  It's also a great place to take photos as you can see here.

The Tall Ships Festival - Toronto Waterfront Festival

 Every few years we have a very special event in the Toronto Harbour, The Tall Ships Festival comes to town.  A number of old ships will sail majestically into the harbour for everyone to see.  We have The Bluenose II, The Pentiction Castle and many more.

 This pirate ship is a full on adventure.  The pirates will teach all children big and small how to be a proper pirate.

 We even had a chance to meet some of our Royal Military.

My First Attempt Of Making An Edible Arrangement

Here is a photo of my very first attempt of making an Edible Arrangement.  It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  Once we got all of the supplies and fruit, it went along very quickly.

 You will need:

1 plastic bowl
sharp star and flower cookie cutters (I got mine at the dollar store)
long kabob sticks
1 head of lettuce or cabbage for the bottom
strawberries + chocolate (for making chocolate covered strawberries)
A large pineapple or two smaller ones
Watermelon
grapes
cantalope

Anniversary #12

Well folks Neal and I have celebrated another anniversary.  We are still happily married and still going on some cool adventures.  This year was very low key as he was once again working.  Later in the day, we went to Unionville to walk around and look in the nice tourist shops and then we went out for dinner at a wonderful restaurant called Dr. Laffa.  The food there was wonderful.  They serve Mediterranean food (i.e. laffa sandwiches, schnitzel,  salads, etc.).

New Blinds - FINALLY!!!!

  I am so excited that we finally got new blinds after 12 years.  These horrible monstrosity blinds were left behind from the last people who lived here.  They were ugly and weren't nearly dark enough at night.  Our new blinds make the room nice and dark and great for getting a great night sleep.

When these are closed they look so nice and dark.  It's hard to see, but they look like bamboo.  I really love them so much.