Porters, Reunite!

We just had our bi-annual Porter Reunion last weekend in Rollings Hills, AB, thanks to Lois and Doug Harrowing and their capable crew. It was SO much fun and just awesome to reconnect with immediate and fringe family members again. It has been so good to see so much of my siblings lately, but this time was actually a happy occasion so it was even more special. We really missed Mom and Uncle Bob, though.

Here is the official photo of the Reunion:

Robert and Pearl meet again

June 4, 1924 to May 19, 2010

It's hard to believe that this smiley picture was taken not even two weeks ago, and when I last wrote, we were expecting Mom to be moved to Edmonton for an indefinite period of time for treatment and palliative care.

On Monday, May 17th, Michelle called me to say that Jo had messaged her about going to Edson right away. We figured something must be up, so I checked my email and Evonne had emailed that we should call her or Terry right away. Mom had taken a sudden turn and was not expected to live through the day. Michelle and I left work, jumped in the car and made it to Edson at about 4:30, along with most of my siblings and some of their kids. Mom was very agitated and drugged, but didn't seem to be in as much pain as before, and progressively over Monday and Tuesday she worsened. By Wednesday morning she was gone.

It's so hard to believe that just one month ago she was living at home by herself. When she was admitted to the hospital mid-April no one could have guessed that she would never come home. It is, certainly, a good thing that her pain and the process of dying didn't drag on for months and months. She was ready to go, and I guess her body was, too.

It's going to take awhile to absorb the concept that we will not see her anymore.

Trip to See Great Grandma

It's wonderful to have Spring back in our lives. May is such a welcome month! We have beautiful weather and everything is so green and pretty. This year, however, our happiness is overshadowed by the sad news in April that my Mum is suffering from cancer.

She has been having just an awful time with pain for several months and has been in hospital since mid-April. Michelle and I were out to see her in Edson in April and Nyckee and I took the kids out last weekend. It just feels like I need to be there, but it's such a long drive that we can't realistically go more than every couple of weekends.

This past week, Mum was taken by ambulance to Edmonton for further tests. The needle biopsy, unfortunately, revealed that the cancer has spread to her bones and adrenal glands. It seems as though the bone cancer is the likely source of her pain, and they will be treating her with radiation at the clinic in Edmonton to see if that will alleviate the pain somewhat. Then it sounds as though palliative care is the next step. It's so hard to see her hurting so much -- she is still so bright, other than when she's on heavy meds, and it must be so much for her to take in all this sad news. The one positive thing about her being treated in Edmonton is that she will be closer for most of us to go visit her.

Anyway, sad times here these days, and sadder times yet to come.

February 18 -- Popular with the feline set

Mr X belongs to Holly, the black and white cat, but Wheezer,our newest cat, is vying for some lovin'.

February 17 -- Big Fish!

The weather has been ridiculously nice this winter and Mr X has been doing lots of ice fishing at a local lake. He usually throws the fish back, but lately he has saved a few for his Filipino friends at work. This was a big one!

February 15 -- Puddy's Birthday!

Every year on Puddy's birthday, we take the dogs through the drive-thru for a birthday burger. Today Puddy is 8 and we still love him more every day!

February 14 -- Happy V Day!

Nyckee and the kids came over for a Valentine's dinner tonight. Carson checks out his festive headband in the mirror. He's so cute!

February 12 -- Winter scenes con't

Seriously, not a lot to take pictures of these days, but here's a pretty one that I took just outside our front door today. The temperatures have been very mild and there's been so much hoar frost this year -- it's so pretty!

February 6 & 7 -- Winter Weekend

Not too many highlights in this Saskatchewan winter weekend. We did the usual -- took the dogs for a run out by the elevator at the edge of town both days, and for a special treat we went to the Casino on Sunday for their awesome brunch.

It was nice and sunny and not too cold, so just about perfect for a February weekend. Especially if you're a dog.