A full circle Yom Kippur

On September 13, 2013 By thestampsinmypassportIn bone marrow, Mark Spiegle, one match, robin robertsLeave a comment

About a month ago, I read a post on a friend’s facebook profile posting about someone he knows who is in need of a stem cell transplant to survive. There were some questions going back and forth about it, and I chimed in and commented on what I knew about it. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, because all I was doing was offering knowledge that I had from my past experiences.

It has been almost four years exactly since Shari found out that she needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Four years since I began to learn about bone marrow donation, stem cell transplants and so much more.

The man who’s life needs saving is Dr. Mark Spiegle. If you read the hyperlink you can read about Mark’s story. He has battled cancer before and now has been diagnosed again with mylodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If this sounds familiar it is because this is the same blood cancer that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America had last year. She was able to have a stem cell transplant from her sister Sally. Mark isn’t so lucky. He needs to find a match to save his life.

This is where you all come in once again. One Match, which is part of blood services has changed the age requirements for Canadians to be swabbed and added to the bone marrow registry. If you are healthy and between 17 to 35 years of age – WE NEED YOU!

Right now there are two bone marrow swabbing events booked and confirmed. There will be more to come but here is where will be:

Sunday September 29th – from 10am – 4pm
Holy Blossom Temple – 1950 Bathurst Street (south of Eglinton)

We do want to target the TARGET group so we will be having a drive at the University of Toronto on:
Tuesday October 1st – from 11am – 5pm
If you are a student at Uof T, if you have a child at UofT, or know anyone in the target range that will be downtown on October 1st – WE NEED YOU!

A facebook page has been created as well – please join, share on your wall and let’s get the word out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1414379965450813/

As we approach the eve of Yom Kippur and our time of reflection and introspection, we should understand that we can all make a difference. If you are over the age range for one match, and you want to volunteer, you can send an email to swabformark@gmail.com and if you have any questions you can call 416-951-3873 for more information.

If I can ask one thing of you all who are reading this, please share this post on your facebook wall, or your twitter feed. You are not just helping Mark hopefully find his match, but there are over 900 Canadians that are waiting for their perfect match.

Have an easy and meaningful fast if you are doing so.

Lisa

myelodysplastic syndrome

My fall tv line up

On September 6, 2013 By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have actually been getting inbox facebook messages asking me when I am going to start updating when the shows and the fall lineup are starting. I love that people comment when I post tv (or any) cool status updates.

So, I have been researching the different network websites, watching tv commercials for new and returning shows and here is a list of what I have come up with, and the start dates for all the shows.

You and I may not have the same tv viewing habits, but these are the shows that I watch on a regular basis and new ones that I will check out and see if they will be added to my list. I tape a lot of shows, and sometimes don’t get to watch them all, or want to watch them all.

From what I can see Thursdays are going to be a challenge. I would say that the PVR will be set to tape all night on Thursdays. Which is a good thing, since Thursdays used to be the best night on TV, and it looks like that is going to happen again this year.

NBC is working really hard at getting its Thursday night line up back to what it used to be:
Parenthood – NEW night – Thursdays – starting September 26th
New – The Michael J Fox show – starting September 26th – LOVE him, so I will be checking this one out forsure.
New – Sean Saves the World – Sean Hayes formerly from Will and Grace so yes, will be checking this one out as well – starting October 3rd
New – Welcome to the Family – Starting October 3rd
New – The Millers on CBS – not sure….will have to wait and see – Start date October 3rd

Glee – of course is on Thursdays – and will be starting September 26th
Grey’s Anatomy – Thursdays starting as well September 26th.
from all accounts McDreamy’s final season, as well as Yang’s. Should be interesting….
Big bang Theory – September 26th start date as well.

Mondays:
How I met your mother – final season – starting September 23rd
New – Hostages – Looks interesting – starting September 23rd on CTV
Dancing with the stars – starting September 16th

Tuesdays:
New – The Goldbergs – looks like it could be like “that 70’s show” but it is based in the 80’s – totally! – Starting September 24th
New – Trophy Wife – starting September 24th

Wednesdays:
Law and Order SVU – starting September 25th
Modern family – starting September 25th

Sundays:
The Amazing Race – starting September 29th
The Good Wife – starting September 29th

I am sure that I am missing some shows, or haven’t touched on the ones that you watch. Feel free to leave me a message on what you thought about any of the shows that we may watching at the same time.

Clear your PVR – looks like a busy fall is ahead!

Modern Family – starting September

Searching for the Pink Door

On September 2, 2013June 16, 2014 By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

While I was reading on Facebook about friends and family all heading off to cottages, Blue Mountain and different lodges up north I was getting ready for my own end of summer adventure – to Seattle and then cruising up to Alaska. I had never been to Seattle and was on a cruise to Alaska many years ago so was ready to see it with my amazing travel buddy and friend.

I was looking forward to both parts of the trip, but since I have never been to Seattle I was really looking forward to seeing Pike’s Market, the first Starbucks and more. It did not disappoint.

Of course you all know by now that I always enjoy trying new restaurants and foods when I go away, and of course Seattle was no exception. I had received a recommendation from someone who had lived in Seattle about a great place called The Pink Door that was in Pike’s Market, and it was really good food, atmosphere, etc. Looked at the menu, made a reservation on opentable.com and away we go – one night dinner booked.

When we were walking through Pike’s market we noticed a sign to the restaurant and when we asked where it was exactly, the person said, “just look for a pink door”….. so while we were walking through Post Alley (a bunch of different restaurants, outdoor seating, pubs) we walk past this building, no sign, and the door was open. B says to me, “is that door pink?” I look at the door, it was more of a coral peachy colour, but I said, “this must be it”. If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you would surely have walked right by.

The restaurant is known for its live music (we were too early for), Cabaret and Burlesque shows (wrong night). We still enjoyed a great atmosphere, good food and their specialty cocktail – The pink madonna. It was vodka and pink lemonade and it was good. Could have had a few of those!

Enjoyed our meal and then had to look at the dessert menu. They have a special dessert that I saw on facebook and I told B that we had to have this dessert. It is known as the “boobie cake”.

I should have taken a better photo of it, because it really does look like a ‘boob’. If you go on facebook and like the pink door page you will see a side shot and you will know what I mean. Chocolate mousse, on top of an amazing chocolate cookie, covered in chocolate, with caramel ribbon and berries. Yeah…shared but could have easily eaten one all on my own.

When we were leaving the restaurant, I asked where they would recommend for the next night. They both said Palace Kitchen was the new hot spot. Local celeb food network chef Tom Douglas‘ new establishment. Off we went on Saturday night to Palace Kitchen. The food there did not disappoint either.

Note for travelling: always ask locals where to go to eat. The same way as you find great spots in your own city that you enjoy and would recommend, they will as well. The staff at the front desk at the hotel you are staying at are great as well. It is always great to put it out there on facebook as well. And if you are short on time, or the restaurant is really popular make sure to go to www.opentable.com and make a reservation in advance!

There were a lot of great things to try, so I opted for a couple of appetizers over one main course. It seems like everyone enjoyed what they ate there.

Stay tuned for more details on Seattle and everything that we were able to see and do in two short days. That is how we like to see a city, we try to jam in as much as we can for the time that we have. I think for Seattle we did just that.