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The Power of Community

11/27/2015

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The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
~ Mark Twain
It has been an incredibly busy time since Travis & I returned from Tuscany.  We had a great visit with Keith whom I immediately put to work helping me take in the car to change the winter tires, take me to the movies and cook Travis steak (with the help of Tania texting ingredients)!  We had a great visit to Bowmanville and had too much fun with Mike, Wendy, Granny, Brad, Sue & Wayne.  Wendy & Mike spoiled us as per usual with a delicious feast and you can see in the picture below Wendy giving Keith a massage!

Keith & I drove to Montreal together and I spent the week with Mom & Dad preparing for the ALS Research Announcement Press Conference and ALS fundraiser.  It was an incredibly busy day, Mom & Dad drove me to the Montreal Neurological Institute for the Press Conference in the morning where I gave a speech, and I spent the day giving interviews!  If you are interested I've posted my speech and info about the historic announcement, as well as my interviews on the media page of my blog.


The "An Amazing Evening" benefit co-ordinated by my dad and Amanda Lavigne was a wonderful event.  It was held at Bistro Table 09 in the West Island.  Dad & Amanda are such generous, and loving people to have put in such a tremendous amount of work to benefit the ALS Society of Canada.  The funds will go towards research to help people like myself who are suffering with ALS have hope to find treatment and a cure.  Their efforts paid off incredibly as the event was such a hit!  Jamal, the owner of Table 09 is such a talented and engaging person and this is reflected in his incredible food (you really must eat there).  Tammy Moore, the CEO of ALS Canada was gracious to attend the event and share with people what is happening in the ALS research community.  A literal "gang" of Kanawanians walked in and brought me to tears.  My section directors, campers and my counsellor when I was section director came to support me & the ALS cause and it was so moving as I hadn't seen some of them in over 20 years!  Many of my parents friends came out to support of us some of whom had known me since I was a little girl.  Scott brought me to the dance floor where I was spun around sitting on a stool so I could participate.  There was a lot of laughter, tears and dancing, and most importantly the power of community coming together to make a difference.  Thanks to the support of everyone who attended and/or generously donated, Dad & Amanda raised over $8000 for the ALS Society of Canada!  There are pictures of the event on the gallery page and a video of my speech on the media page of the blog.

On November 25th, Travis & I celebrated his 35th birthday.  We went out to dinner for Thai food, one of his favourites, and it was delicious!  And, you guessed it, he received yet another Apple product as his present!  He absolutely deserves it as he takes such good care of me, and is a superstar at work.  Below is a picture from his surprise 25th birthday party at Jeff's surf shop in St. Maarten, next to a picture of us in Florence in October this year.  In 10 years we may have aged physically, but definitely not in spirit, we are still just as immature as ever!
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The Starfish Story

11/16/2015

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My favourite quote of all time.
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An Amazing Evening

11/9/2015

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 We are back from our incredible Tuscan vacation with Heather & Andy.  Though coming home was tough with 3 flights, a missed connection, lost luggage and Travis with a head cold, it was all worth it.  We stayed at the same place we first visited in 2013: Podere di Pomaio in Arezzo.  It is a beautiful family owned organic vineyard with an 800 year old villa.  The views are majestic and the food is unbelievable.  Heather & I were lucky to have our personal chefs Travisimmo and Andisimmo cooking for us, as well as three feasts from Pomaio themselves.  It was a week of napping, relaxing, playing cards, reading, drinking wine, sunset viewing, eating great food and being silly (sorry - I mean having intellectual conversations) with friends in the gorgeous Italian countryside.  Everything we could have hoped for and I would give anything to return!  Check out our pictures on the Gallery Page and Awesome Things on the Travel Page of the Blog.  Special thank you to momma Smith for our incredible meal in Florence.
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Now we are getting excited for Keith's visit this week.  We will be heading to Bowmanville to visit Mike, Wendy & Granny on Friday and then off to Montreal on Sunday.  I will be speaking at a Press Conference at the Montreal Neurological Institute, where they will be announcing the historic investment in ALS research.  As well, Dad and his friends have been hard at work organizing a fundraising dinner at Table 09 in the West Island on November 19th benefiting ALS Canada.  It's not too late to get tickets or donate to the event.  Hope to see you there!
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    Carol Jean Skinner (née Sharman)
    born October 19
    lives in Ottawa, Canada

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carol skinner  - rolyskinner@gmail.com
travis skinner - skinnertravis@gmail.com