Useful information

Today the world's largest cancer conference got underway in Orlando. It is by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) and hosts 30.000 cancer specialists worlwide. I attend every year and it is both amazing and mind boggeling to see so much talent and itelect gathered together to present, hear and discuss the latests research findings in cancer research. (sort of like a scientific Art and Soul, except for vendor night :). One of the results they discussed today had to do with treating cancer that has spread to bone. In the course of that session they presented some information that is pertinent to all of you women out there. It is now know that 1 in 2 women(!!!) will at some time in their lifetime have a bone fracture as a result of osteoporosis. That is truly astounding. A woman's bonemass peaks at around 35, plateaus and then declines by 5% yearly with the biggest drop in the first 5 years of menopause. So what does this mean for you: YOU MUST TAKE IN ENOUGH CALCIUM and VITAMINE D. This can be done by milk (not really my favourite, except in cappucino..), yoghurt, cheese etc. Or you can take a supplement. At least 1200 IU and at least 800IU of vitamine D, in 2 doses per day, so morning end evenibg with your meals. It is truly a life saver. Once women fracture a hip, 33% ends up in a nursing home and many die within the firts year following that admission. So now go out and get what you need to stay healthy:)

Lost....

So I came back from Miami on Saturday after long delay, only to discover when I arrived that my luggage was missing. Very annoying and an additional delay after a long trip. After paperwork etc, I went home, having been told my bag would be delivered the following morning. Well, Sunday came and went and no bag. Several phone calls to the lost bag department at Air Canada (in India...) I was told they had no news. I was getting worried but couldn't do much. I had all my cloths, make-up etc in there and am traveling again on Wednesday. Most importantly it had a pouch with my own jewelry and a ring I inherited from my mom, after she got her from her mom. It made me anxious but what can you do. So I waited and finally last night my bag was delivered. I opened it up and someone had gone through it, since it was messed up and there was a Canada customs form in it. And you know what happened.... someone stole my jewelry, including my mom's ring. I called all kinds of people to no avail. GONE! I cannot tell you how sad this made me. I shed many tears and now am just plain mad. Unfortunately there is little I can do. I just want the ring back. I can make everything else...

Suzan Lenart Kazmer

Hey, here is a new blog by Suzan Lenart Kazmer's group:

Check it out:

http://objectsandelements.typepad.com/objects_and_elements/

What a fun afternoon

I had some time after my meeting this afternoon and decided to rent a bicylce to tour the island. I had found a bead stor in the phone book and so decided to have peek. When I walked around in the store, it turned out to be connected to a beautiful yarn store, called Knit Wits! I walked in and was looking around when the owner, Debby, commented on my silver necklace and earrings. Next thing I know she has ordered one. Then another woman joined in on the conversation and it turns out she owns 4 stores on the island, 2 clothing and 2 jewelry stores. She invited me to come with her and so off we went to visit her stores! Beautiful clothes and jewlery and Liliane, the owner was so nice. Well, she too wanted some pieces for her store and so it turned into quite the afternoon!!! Who knows, maybe one day it will be my full time job... For now, it provides me with lots of fun and opportunity to meet other people.

www.localcolorkeywest.com

www.knitwitskeywest.com

Key West

Well, I have to admit, Key West is beautiful. You can feel the wind, smell the tropical flowers and the ocean, hear the waves crash on the beach, and touch the lovely sand and the refreshing ocean water. And a neat idea to do something with a shoeform! All four senses active and such an inspiring and beautiful place....

Lecture

Yesterday I attended a lecture by Sir Elton John here in Atlant about his charity for HIV/AIDS. The numbers he quoted were stounding. For the world, especially Africa, but also for the US. One million cases of persons who are positive for HIV of which 50% do not take medication due to lack of access. How can a country ignore such a problem? It is in my view a moral obligation, not only to help these people but to step up for education and prevetion. These 500,000 will die without treatment and in themean time possibly infect many others. This cannot be right! Swineflu created more exicitement and action.... Governments need to do what is right and not just leave it up to charities to help irradicate

this awful disease. Ok, I feel better now.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday my dear friend. You know who you are. I hope you are having a great time and we will celebrate when you are back! (and me too!)

Hugs for you.

Travels

Well, again I will be traveling. Tis time I am off to Atlanta on Monday, not the greatest place but what can you do.... Then on Wednesday I go on to Key West. I have never been there. I'll see if I can post some pictures.

But first I will be going up on the Bruce Peninsula to spend the weekend with my family. It is so pretty there. I posted a picture previously but here's another one. This time also one from the garden.

new blog, wire work

Sharilyn Miller is a ver talented wirework artist who I owe my love for making jewelry to. I took my first jewelry class with her in Portland at Art and Soul and have not looked back. She is a very good instructor and her books and videos are excellent. She now has a wirework blog:

http://wirejewelrylessons.blogspot.com/

Here is my very first piece!

1000 awesome things

In this day and age, life has its challenges. In my own personal life, it is the stress of combining going to school with working full time and family, my husband has been out of work for a year and is having major trouble finding a job. (if you know of anyone who needs a project or program manager, or know someone at RIM, let me know!). I am sure you can think of some things.

Along comes a 29 year old who decided to look for 1 awesome thing a day and post it on a blog. It has been so successful that it is changing people's life as they help him list these awesome things. He has been given an award and now has been offered to publish a book. Gone from nothing to something awesome...

Here is the link: http://1000awesomethings.com/

This is one of my awesome moments, Tuscany.

Mother's Day

To all of my women friends who are mothers, godmothers, aunts, grandmothers etc. If you are caring for a child in the world, you deserve to hear :"happy mother's day...

I was awoken by my baby of 15 years old with a great breakfast, a present and card to say I was the best mom ever. What a great gift, to love a child!

Hot Flashes....

This weather is just too much. My hot flashes are rampant. For the longest time I tried all kinds of remedies. From formal medication to herbal stuff. At one point I thought, what the heck, I am taking it all at once, maybe that will make a difference.... It didn't. In fact, there is really only 1 documented effective treatment, which is with low dose Effexor. I don't really want to take any medicine and decided a long time ago that I will just sweat this one out. After all, it is only a hot flash. Mind you, they are so awful. Instant combustion is all I have to say. This weather of frequent pressure changes is what sets mine off. I know, people say that food and wine etc cause them. I have had them for 10 years and I can honestly say that the only thing I know affects me is the weather changes.

if you are interested in a site that published evidence on whether remedies work, check this one out: http://nccam.nih.gov

It is a website from the National Institute of Health in the US and a reputable source.

If anyone has the joke of the crows on the hydro wire who rip their coats off, please send it to me. It is so funny!

A good laugh

I have been so busy that I needed to unwind and have a good laugh. Well, this little clip did just that, I cried with laughter. May this start your day off right!

Birthday present

Last night we visited friends to celebrate Celine's 47th birthady. She loves carnelian and so I made her a necklace. It si fine silver and carnelian. It looked great!

Tell me why

This needs no explanation, just watch, listen and read the lyrics