In Memory of Barry Fraser: A True Hero and Generally Great Guy

I never met Barry in person, but I followed his blog, AnExplorersViewofLife (http://anexplorers.blogspot.com/), religiously after finding it under Blogger's Blog of Note over a year ago. I was drawn to his cleverness, humor, intelligence and interesting viewpoints on just about everything. Arwen loved his posts about Lindsay, his, and his wife Linda's, dog (as did I, she seems like such a character). In March of last year, the tone changed considerably, though never losing Barry's considerable skill at writing: while visiting a restaurant, he got a chicken bone stuck in his throat. Upon going to a hospital to get it checked out, they found something unusual. That something unusual turned out to be esophageal cancer. Barry treated it the way he seemed to treat everything on his blog: seriously, but with a wicked sense of humor, wit and love of life.
Barry passed away on Tuesday. He is no longer in pain, the cancer can no longer sap his energy. He is now in heaven, running with dogs the way he used to love running with his beloved Lindsay on the bluffs near Toronto.
I'm ringing a bell for you Barry, you may not be living, but you have won your fight. The cancer is gone, and you will be sorely missed.
Rest in Peace my friend,
and Arwen

Thoughtful Thursday: Ringing Bells for Barry

~We Don't Have Bells, But Arwen's Collar Jingles and That is What We're Using to Support Barry at 2PM Today~

It's been a rough year for Barry, over at An Explorer's View of Life. He first found a problem with his throat upon choking on a chicken bone at a restaurant. Fast forward nearly a year, he's been diagnosed with incurable throat cancer which has metastasized to his spine and hip, his mother in law passed away, and his own mother is very sick. Through it all, Barry has come through with raised spirits, positivity, and a unique glimpse into the life of someone dealing with their own mortality in a very unique situation.

However, today gives Barry something to cheer about, and allows us to cheer him on. At 2 PM today, hundreds of people will be ringing bells to commemorate Barry's last dose of Chemotherapy and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. The hospital erected a bell in their lobby for cancer patients to ring when they finish their last treatment, and so hundreds of us from around the world will also be ringing bells to cheer Barry on.

Arwen and I will be ringing Arwen's collar, since we don't have a bell. Arwen wanted to get in on the action so we will be shaking her collar, resplendent with metal tags that make a jingling sound every time she moves.

Here's to you Barry, keep fighting, we'll be right here in your corner, ringing bells for you!

and Arwen

Thoughts and Prayers Needed

I haven't written a blog post for two days as I had some sad news from 2 of my blog friends and I needed time to think it over. I wanted to put my feelings into order to make a blog post that would mean something, but I am still very upset and I don't think I have the ability to be very loquacious at this point (or probably ever).

Barry at An Explorer's View of Life has informed his blog followers that the cancer in his esophagus has spread to other parts of his body, making his cancer treatable, but not curable. His doctors have said he has anywhere from a few months to 5 years. I am in shock! A man who is so witty, funny, fresh and alive, who has gone through the Hell of chemo, radiation and throat widening procedures just HAS to get better. Please, please pray for him, or if you aren't a praying person, please, please send him positive thoughts of healing and happiness.

After hearing that, I went to another of my favorite blogs, written by Renee on Circling My Head. Renee is a vocal, intelligent woman, not afraid to swear when it is necessary, dealing with her own terminal cancer (which is, thank God, stable right now), and having a very hard time recently, with her mother getting sick, her sister diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, and her nephew with a cancer that less than a handful of people in the world have had, and none have survived. On Friday, her Nephew Sheldon succumbed to his cancer and passed away in the hospital. Please, Please pray and send positive thoughts to her and her family to help them get through this terrible time. He was only 25, and though death at any age is hard, his was more so.

Please help them with your thoughts and prayers. Please visit their blogs and give them your support.
My love to all of my blog followers, I hope you never have to go through what these brave people are going through. My love, prayers and thoughts to Barry and his family, and to Renee and her family also.

Melodious Monday - I Won an Award!!

Ruthie at RoseWorksJewelry sent me a comment yesterday saying she had given me an award and I must say I am incredibly delighted. Her jewelry and blog are fantastic and I highly recommend you check her out, and treat yourself to one of her many gorgeous creations, guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks.
Now, what is this award, you ask? Maybe you didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway, since I'm bursting a few buttons from smiling so much :)
This is the Premio Meme Award and I need to tell you 7 things about myself. I'm not very good at this so I'll give it a try:
1. I'm 26 and disabled with Fibromyalgia (okay, okay, you knew that already)
2. I used to compete in horseback riding and was trying to be a professional show jumper (before the money ran out, LOL - not being rich in that sport is a definite drawback). I still want to get back into riding though, it was the best time of my life :)
3. I am addicted to books. Period. I have to keep buying new bookshelves because I fill up the ones I have so quickly, despite trying (unsuccessfully) to give away or sell my older books that I no longer read every year (yes, I read my books over and over and over...I like them, okay??)!
4. Hubby tries to keep me away from Amazon.ca because of #3...he's not always successful though ;-)
5. I love people commenting on my blog or Etsy store - it really does make my day.
6. I do actually cry a little bit from happiness at every sale I make; the fact that someone chose me out of all the other thousands of jewelry artists for their needs is the best feeling I can possibly have. I know, it is cheesy but true. I'm trying to embrace my 'softie' side!
7. I love gardening - even the weeding! It might be difficult when I get so sore, but there is nothing better than pulling a bunch of weeds to rid you of frustrations, and make you feel like you really accomplished something when you look at that small patch of weedless soil. Plus, I feel like the flowers and veggies thank me afterwards with their wonderful blooms and produce :)

Now I need to pass this on to 7 people, so here goes:
1. Louise from Fireseed - she never ceases to amaze and inspire me with her lamp work glass creations
2. Barry from An Explorer's View of Life - he is fighting the battle of his life and still maintains his humor and witty writing style.
3. Audrey at Stage 3 Who Me? - smart, capable and strong, she is also quite artistic and you'll love her.
4. Renee at Circling My Head - the strongest woman I know, and a blessing to all who read her blog.
5. Daisy and Harley at Daisy the Curly Cat - they always make me smile, and quite often laugh out loud at their outfits, expressions and antics.
6. Kathryn, Dobby, Franklin and Tasha at Mishkat - creative, funny and positive, there is always something to smile at or learn, or both. Despite not selling her art quilts, Kathryn is very talented and artistic
7. Sonia at the Dark Raven's Nest - starting to come out of her shell artistically, she is witty, funny and very creative. Always fun to read and be inspired.
Well that's all for now folks, tune in tomorrow for a new pair of earrings in my NeoAmour Collection!!

Fabulous Friday - Charity of the Month for April!

In honor of the many (far, far too many) friends and family members who have fought, or are currently fighting cancer, this month's charity is the Canadian Cancer Society. 10% of my sales before taxes and shipping will be donated to this wonderful charity, which helps fund research, education and support for those dealing with cancer (either directly or with friends/family members). Please join me in helping this amazing charity by purchasing any item, and the other charities I help in my Charity Promo Items Section of my Etsy Shop.
So here's to you Dad, Alice, Andy, Barry, Renee and Rebecca, I hope these donations will help in some small way! I may not be able to help you physically, but you are always in my thoughts and I hope you are soon cured/stay cured :)
My love and prayers to you all,

Thankful Thursday - I Got an Award!

I woke this morning to find that Mishkat had given me a Lemonade Blog Award!!

Here is the text of the award:

The Lemonade Award is given to sites which the giver show either great attitude and or gratitude.
The rules for these awards are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate 10 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

Thank you so very much!! I'm going to have to give this award to a few people whose blogs make getting up in the wee hours of the morning very enjoyable - they are a joy to read and I always look forward to their updates:
Fireseed
Circling My Head
The Fantail
Gypsy Mare Studios
BeadedTail
FriendsFurEver
An Explorer's View of Life
TheLetteredCottage

Thank you again Mishkat, and I hope to continue to earn this award every day in the future as well :)