Dance for Jill

My little sister Jill has been sick for the past year - she's been diagnosed with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, also known as Oscar Weber Rendue.  The disease has been found on my mother's side of the family - and while I am lucky enough to so far be clear of any signs or symptoms - this disease has highly impacted my immediate and extended family.  The disease can affect a number of organs, including the heart, lungs and brain.  Jill's liver has been affected however, and she is now awaiting a liver transplant.

Due to her illness, Jill has been in and out of hospitals in Toronto and London for the past year, and her condition has made it impossible for her to work. Meanwhile, the drug that has helped her is not covered by Ontario's health care plan.  It has typically been used to treat cancer patients, and so it is considered "experimental" to be used to treat HHT.  Jill and our family have had to cover much of her medical costs.

On November 19th, there is a benefit being held for Jill.  Proceeds from the dance will assist Jill with medical costs and loss of income. 

WHAT: "Dance for Jill"


WHERE: 2451 Hamilton Rd. - Masonic Hall in Nilestown.

WHEN: Nov. 19, 2011

TIME: 8pm - 1am

TICKETS: $15 @ the door, they can also be purchased ahead of time.

If you are unable to attend (like me) and would still like to help, please call or send me an email. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who are helping organize and run this wonderful event.

Love,

Geni

October

Hello all,

Not too much is new in Fort Good Hope, but I thought I'd take some time to put up a few pictures.

Scott and I have been cross country skiing a bit: there is a decent trail not two minutes from our house that leads down the beach (a.k.a. "Rabbit Skin River"). Halloween is just a few days away, and I've tried to incorporate the season into everything we do, especially art!

 

Making and baking pumpkin seeds in grade one :)

Paper mache masks in afterschool Art club

Our door decoration entry: Seated Scarecrows! We are definalty contenders!!

The Snow is Here to Stay

Each passing day we lose approximately 15 minutes of sunlight.  I walk to school at 7:45am in the dark, the sun rises around 9:30 and by that time I'm too involved with my little ones to notice.  I'm enjoying the snow, going for walks often, as soon it will be too cold - I'll be walking fast and the layers that will wrap my face in warmth will also probably limit my visability!  It's beautiful here. 

My classroom is functioning well.  Mornings are going smoothly - students know the routines now, we are beginning to learn various strategies for decoding words.  Their favorite things are Raffi songs - the best CD I've ever bought - The Lady with the Alligator Purse, Robert Munsch, and our daily dance to wordwall words.  Somedays I can't believe I get paid to sing and dance with cute kids.... Students go home for lunch for an hour and they come back unfocused, so I'm still trying to keep them as active as possible, with alot of independant activity-based lessons and centers.  Its a work in progress.  I'm lucky to have a great group.  I've also applied and was approved for a grant to run cross country ski events starting in November, I'm looking forward to getting active out of doors afterschool.

Northern Lights and a Sweet Sunrise

Hello all, 

Its a sunny day here in Fort Good Hope.  Scott and I have a fire going, there is bread in the oven, and I'm planning my week, half hour my half hour... it must be Sunday.  Last night we caught a glimpse of the awesome northern lights.  I've yet to master capturing this spectacle on film, but its since become my goal to get one great picture before I leave.  In the meantime, these pcitures do no justice to the wonders we saw last night.