I like it.

Amaryllis Campaign for the Huntington Society of Canada

Huntington disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. It progressively destroys both mind and body, eventually taking away the ability to speak, walk, and even eat without help. Huntington disease is also a disease of families. Every child of a person with HD has a 50 % risk of inheriting the disease. One in every 1,000 Canadians are touched by HD, whether they have the disease themselves, look after someone who does, or have a friend or relative with HD. Currently there is no cure for Huntington’s. However, with recent research discoveries we’ve never had more reason for optimism. It’s been a very exciting past 6 months!

You may or may not be aware that my dad was diagnosed with Huntington’s about 15 years ago and is now in the final stages of the disease. This, of course, means that myself and my siblings are all at risk of inheriting the disease. There are also a few other families in the Redeemer community who have had Huntington’s diagnosed in their family, as well.

Every year in the fall, the Huntington Society of Canada sells beautiful “Orange Souvereign” amaryllis bulbs in kits for $12/each that include soil, a pot, and the bulb, to help raise money for research into cures for this disease and others that share similar neurological roots (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc.)

The kits, once purchased, can be stored in a cool, dry place until planted and tend to bloom 6-8 weeks after planting. The flowers are a beautiful bright orange, and they really do make great gifts.

I will be placing two orders: one to arrive at the end of October, and one to arrive at the beginning of December. Please consider supporting the Huntington Society by ordering one or more of the kits as gifts or flowers to liven up your office space! Words cannot express how much each vote of support means to those of us affected. If buying flowers is not your “thing”, we would really appreciate your prayers for those affected as well as for the scientists who are busy researching a cure.

If you would like to take part in this, please send me an email ( jennvb[at]gmail[dot]com ) with the details (how many kits you would like, which order you would like it to be a part of – October or December). I’ll collect the money when I hand out the orders. Please note that I live in Hamilton, so if you live outside of Hamilton and will have someone coming to or from Hamilton to you around the beginning of November or the beginning of December, you can order them, but other wise, please visit the website for details on how to support the cause.

Thanks!

For more information on Huntington’s Disease or the Huntington Society of Canada, please visit www.huntingtonsociety.ca

Why the Amaryllis?

The amaryllis is the signature plant of the Huntington Society of Canada. It represents the vitality of our organization, and the hope that we will soon find a cure. With your help, we will win the fight against Huntington disease. The Orange Souvereign is a top quality premium grade 26-28 centimetre bulb. Its tall, green stalks are topped by an exotic burst of orange blooms. These bulbs are specially imported from Holland in limited quantities.

Cool things

Yesterday, Brian and I had the distinct privilege of standing up for Mr and Mrs Dan and Mira Postma. What a beautiful wedding! Unfortunately as I was too busy enjoying myself I don't have any pictures of the happy couple to post, but here is one of the mother-of-the-bride helping her daughter get ready for the big moment. Aren't they beautiful?!
And now, after a long (very long) sleep, and after dropping off presents and picking up dresses and returning rented clothing, we get to veg for a little while... with the projector screen that we took home for Dan from the reception last night. This is what our dining room currently looks like:

Hollywood North/East

It seems that lately, every time I walk out the door and drive down the street, there's another filming happening. I can tell I live in a great neighbourhood - there have been bright orange pylons and large white trailers lining the streets every other week for the past few months. A few weeks ago they were filming in the Presbyterian church just down from First CRC... Last weekend they were filming a made-for-tv movie across the road from Michelle's apartment at the old beautiful United church. Yesterday when I was trying to make my way down to Rainbow Bridal to pick up my dress for Mira's wedding I had to walk three blocks to park because every inch of parking and unused pavement in the district was being used for a film shoot. And today, whilst driving back and forth between our place and Mira's place, getting ready for the upcoming wedding, I drove back and forth through a scene around the corner from our place about 4 times before they actually started filming and I had to take the long way around. I have yet to see anyone famous, though. The sign by the shoot around the corner tonight said, "Final 24 Scene", so I'm really curious as to the meaning of the sign.... is Jack Bauer actually less than a five minute walk from my house? I wish.

In other news, the wonderful people who are Dan and Mira are getting married tomorrow, and I am so excited for them!