In Loving Memory of Craig Foss

So the biggest news for this year....not good news at all, but very very sad news. My cousin Craig who was diagnosed at this time last year with leukemia, has passed away last weekend and the funeral is tomorrow. I'm so extremely sad, as of course so is Craig's wife Maureen and two young boys who were Craig's absolute pride and joy. I am also so sad for Craig, even though he had so far beaten the cancer early this year. What originally brought him to the hospital last year was a painful stomach issue he had been dealing with for many years...even the doctors had a hard time figuring it out what it was. So he went to the hospital in a lot of pain and discovered a totally separate thing he had... leukemia. We were all so hopeful after the bone marrow transplant, even Craig bound and determined to fight this for him and his new family. He still faced his horrific stomach issues and found it so hard to eat. On a 6'4" frame, he at one time over the summer weighed a mere 110 lbs. With such a malnourished body it was hard to fight off any infection that came his way. Last week he ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. They took a lung biopsy from a mass and his lungs collapsed. He wouldn't be able to breathe on his own. He always told Maureen he never wanted to be at this point so the family honored his wishes and took him off the ventilator, amongst many other tubes for meds, etc. Tomorrow is his funeral at 1pm Alberta time. I'm extremely disappointed I'm unable to make it, but I'm SOOO thankful I got to see him in September. I still can feel the big big long hug I gave him and happy I had a great old chat about many things we needed to catch up on. I'm also so thankful for all of the awesome memories I have growing up with him, I'll hold them so dear to my heart. I always looked forward to seeing Craig on my trips to Alberta and immediately looked for him at every family gathering. He holds so many memories for the family and countless number of friends. I'm so sad he's gone, but I am glad his two boys will carry on his legacy and that we will see him in them as they grow. Craig is watching us every minute of every day and proud of his family he created. I'm also glad he's no longer suffering. He will be missed by so many people and I pray for everyones healing hearts. He's here in spirit always. I love you Craig.

Maureen wrote a beautiful goodbye to Craig on his blog, which was set up last year to keep family and friends updated when he was diagnosed. www.craigfoss.com

October Update

Since my last MIA post (man I'm slacking aren't I! I really have been just lazy.) I painted the guest room for Wayne's mom (she's flying in tomorrow and we're really excited!) in the tan and blue. It's really tranquil, Wayne and I have even had naps in there and loved it! As for the kitchen I just kept the green color...maybe will change it in spring. I DID buy the can of chocolate brown for the bedroom and even repainted one accent wall in the living room with it. Our yellow was just too yellow and bland for both walls so now it's a great back drop for dark furniture and blue & coral accents.

Halloween has come and gone, even though it's been a month I've posted a picture of Sam's Elmo costume. At first that night she didn't want to put it on. With her kicking and screaming I tried, but no go. Then I got her to hand out treats with me instead. With the first batch of kids at the door it didn't take her long to figure out what was going on and next thing I knew she was out the door wanting to be with the kids. So I put her costume on her and told her to carry her treat bag, we were out the door. She went to every door by herself as I watched her from the sidewalk. She meant business, boy was she on a mission! Since then she still wonders if ghosts and goblins are coming to the door. Now that her treat bag is empty she always asks me to buy chocolate.

Now we're at the end of November and Sam has had yet ANOTHER cold for the past week, and of course along with it another ear infection. So back on the usual antibiotics we go and no play dates for a while. Wayne's in Calgary this week and has caught Sam's cold so is now sicker than a dog. I'll be glad for him to be home in his own bed tomorrow night...and will be nice to have his MOMMY here TOO! We're really excited to have her.