A couple of post ago, I mentioned that there would be some major changes coming up in our lives. One of them, we were not too sure of, but after Pete's birthday on Friday, it was confirmed, and we decided to move forward with the change. We have been talking for a while about who our mutual friends together really are, you know, the people that actually call you, or invite you over, or accept invites to our place, you hang out with on a regular basis. We made a list of our friends, and realized that there are only TWO couples who we get together with on a regular basis who are not even in our "regular" circle of friends. It was one of these couples, who actually called Pete on his birthday, and invited us over for a bbq yesterday, to celebrate Pete's birthday. None of Pete's friends called him on Friday, despite me posting it on Facebook that it was his birthday. Pete has a car club group that he belongs to, and we have a group of friends we hang out with, but we have decided to drop them all, and put them into the acquaintance category. I had to do this with a group of my girlfriends, a couple of years ago. It's just a kind of de-cluttering, or spring cleaning of our lives. I only have a few close girlfriends, that I spend time with. I think it's good, every so often to re-evaluate or lives , and the people in them, to make sure you're all on the same page. We're not mad at anyone, or hate anyone that was in our now, former group of friends, we will most certainly see them from time to time, but we're going to focus more on the people who are able to give us time in their lives.

The Many Faces Of Taffy..............

So our blog is called Just The Two Of Us, but it should REALLY be Just The Three Of Us, since Taffy is a part of our lives. He was a stray that our friends asked us to take in, last October, so we were only going to keep him for about a week and try to find him a new home. Well, we fell in love with him, and well, he's pretty much our kid now :) He sleeps with us in the bed at night, at our feet, and when one of us are sick, he sticks to that person like glue, like he knows were sick. He is probably the fattest cat you'll meet, but also one of the most adorable cats you'll meet. People we have over who are NOT cat people, fall in love with him immediately! How could you NOT, with a face like this????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE! I LOVE YOU!

Today, my sweet angel, Pete turned 34! Pete, you are the love of my life, and I am SO happy that God saw fit, to bring us together the way He did. I waited 34 years for you to be my husband, and I am SO happy that God chose you for me! You make me laugh, and you make me smile, and most of all you love me for who I am, just as I am. I love you Pete, and I am looking forward to MANY more birthday's together with you!

So I never really get my nails done. The first time I EVER got a french manicure, was for my wedding to Pete, in January. I went to this place in 7 Oaks mall called Luv Nails. As my sister will tell you, the oriental lady who did my nails, was talking in her language to her co-workers, the whole time I was getting my nails done. I kept telling her that I was SURE that she was telling her co-workers that I had awful nails. She just laughed. Then today, I went to go get my nails done, as a present for Pete for his birthday tomorrow. He LOVED my nails at our wedding and said I should get them done all the time. Not very practical for the line of work I was in. Back to today...I went to this place in the Safeway mall. Also oriental run and operated. AGAIN, while I was having my nails done, the lady doing my nails was yacking to her co-workers, in her language and laughing, while looking at my nails and working on them . I don't like to seem overly paranoid, but come on! I'm not stupid and I'm 85% sure that she was telling them I had awful nails, which I can admit I do. Anyhow, Pete was really thrilled when I came and showed him my nails! Awww......

Just a quick note to let you all know I am still here. Just some major changes that are going to be going on for Pete and I in the next while, all good of course. Hoping to post a longer blog in the next day or two :) Thanks for hanging in there. I hope you enjoy this weeks new template :) ~Barb and Pete

Tonight Pete and I went to the Twilight Drive-In, in Langley. (On Fraser Highway, just past Aldergrove). Pete's really good friend owns the drive in, so we usually get in for free or half price, and tonight was no exception :) Jay, the owner, gave me a behind the scenes tour of the projection room, which was pretty awesome. This drive in was one of Pete's and mine, very first dates! It was kind of romantic to think back on that tonight as we sat and watched the movie. The first movie was from 8-10, but we old folks, were tired after the first movie and didn't stay for the second or third one, which would have taken us til about 2 am. ! It's a good deal, even if you have to pay full price. $10.00/person for 3 movies! So, that was our date night tonight, we usually try to think of something different each time, and this was a great date, and a way to celebrate 3 months being married yesterday!

For those of you who are not on Facebook or who don't get our local paper

AFTER BARB STINGO was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2002, she reached out to a support group to help her cope with the issues she was facing.
However, everyone in the group was older than she and most were not facing the same problems, such as dating complications. Stingo attended the group for about a year before she stopped going.
Two years later, she still felt the need to share her concerns with people who would understand what she was going through; she didn’t want to burden family or friends.
Then Stingo found just what she needed – a support group for young adults with cancer.
She found a small newspaper article stating that a Young Adults Conquering Cancer (YACC) group was starting in Abbotsford, and she immediately contacted the founder, Julie Drybrough. The two became instant friends and are now among a membership of about 15 – all women, at this point – who have been meeting since December.
They have formed a fast bond, often keeping in contact outside of the meetings.
“When one person is down, we all rally around each other,” Stingo said.
She and Drybrough want more people to know that the group exists and that new members – including men – are welcome with open arms. YACC is open to anyone from the ages of 18 to 40 who is battling cancer or who has survived the disease.
Drybrough started YACC because she found that other support groups consisted mainly of older people.
“There are different dynamics involved when you’re young and dealing with cancer,” she said.
These issues include fertility concerns; dating, new relationships and marriage; and raising young children.
“We talk about issues we’re going through with our children . . . how we can explain things to them to make it (having a parent with cancer) less scary,” Drybrough said.
She said they also talk about the limitations their illnesses can place upon them and the frustrations this can cause. For example, many of the members have husbands and children, but they are often too exhausted to participate in family activities.
“With my cancer, I get tired a lot and I just have to sleep,” Stingo said.
This means that she can’t always do things with her husband, Peter, but she said he is supportive when she needs to rest.
Stingo has a rare and slowly progressing form of cancer called polycythemia vera, which occurs when excess red blood cells are produced as a result of an abnormality of the bone marrow.
There is no cure, and she has a 30-year life expectancy from the onset of the disease. She must take oral chemotherapy every day for the rest of her life.
The side effects of this treatment include nausea, dizziness, hot and cold flashes, and fatigue. Some days are worse than others, and there is no predictability to her symptoms.
A secondary cancer – cervical – developed after her initial diagnosis, and this resulted in a mandatory hysterectomy.
“That was difficult. At that time, I was single and it was very hard to find a guy who could accept that: a) I have cancer and b) I can never have kids,” Stingo said.
She and Peter were friends for six years before their relationship developed into romance. He accepted her illness, and he didn’t want to have any more children (he has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship). The two were married in January of this year.
Stingo finds it beneficial to be able to share the physical and emotional pain of her condition with others who understand.
Drybrough is among those, herself suffering from a rare genetic condition called Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. (The News featured her story in its April 21, 2007 edition.) VHL results in Drybrough developing brain and kidney tumours. All three of her daughters have tested positive for the condition.
Another member of the support group is well-known public speaker Feather Janz, who is currently battling her second bout with breast cancer.
The trio plan to attend a cancer retreat this July in Quebec for people ages 18 to 35. The purpose of the trip – hosted by a group called RealTime Cancer – is to learn coping skills and gain information that they can pass on to members of the support group.
A concert to raise funds for the trip takes place Saturday, April 12 at Sardis Secondary, 45460 Stevenson Rd. Performers are Marika, Chris Janz (Feather’s husband), Lisa Adrianne and The NeverKnown. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $10 at the door.
Donations may also be sent to: Box 45, Matsqui Station Main, Abbotsford, V4X 1T0. Make cheques payable to “YACC.” Tax receipts can be issued when requested.
Meanwhile, YACC meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Edenvale Retreat, 4330 Bradner Rd