Category: Life

My grandmother passed away on Thursday at the age of 98 years old. I created a small website for her that my father’s side of the family will be adding to.

IDA GOULD 1914-2013

Ida Gould, born Ida Stone, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the age of 98.

Ida was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Arlene Gould and Robert Cushman, Lorne Gould and Penny Winestockm devoted grandmother of Chloe, Anthony, Mitchell Cushman, and Samantha, Zoey, and Mandi Gould and Geoffrey Holmes.

Ida was one of the 8 children and the last among them to pass away. She will be missed.

Memorial donations may be made to Save the Children Fund, 416-221-5501.

I’ve been quiet this fall and this is why. I’m a quite private person in many ways, and I haven’t said much publicly about my husband’s illness. In mid-February, our lives were turned upside down and I’m posting 2 notes that my husband, Geoffrey Holmes, posted on his Facebook wall.

October 4th, 2012

Friends and family:

About a month ago I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This is known as the “best” type of cancer a man can get. Actually, it’ most occurs in men 15-35 (so I guess I’m really that age!). Anyways, I underwent a surgery to remove the cancer and the procedure went smoothly.

Unfortunately, I recently had a follow up scan and the doctor has told me that my lower lymph nodes are swollen up. This is most likely a result of the cancer spreading upwards as this is “normal”. It’s know as “type 2” cancer now.

But the news isn’t all bad. This type of illness as I understand it is highly treatable. I will be starting a cycle of chemo on monday that has a very good chance of putting the cancer in remission. The success rate with this type of treatment is VERY high.

I’m in good spirits and raring to go with becoming a human pincushion for two months but the side effects can include nausea and fatigue. Needless to say, I’m going to be off work for a while and enjoying an extended hairless vacation.

Please don’t worry too much about me as I’m a fighter and feel okay. On the other hand, I DO value your support and prayers at this difficult time for Mandi and I. I’ll be in good hands as Mandi shows me a lot of love and that’s what’s best at a time like this.

I won’t be taking visitors for a while as I can’t really risk getting a cold or flu at this point. If you’d like to communicate, Facebook and email are the best way for me.

Thank you all for your support and God bless!!!

Geoff

January 3rd, 2013

Friends and family: Mandi and are are getting closer to the end of my chemo treatments. I have one more full “cycle” consisting of three weeks beginning this Monday. The last week we were sidetracked with an infection that had to be treated before I could finish the chemo.
It’s been a lonnnng time since I’ve felt healthy (I was diagnosed in September) and Mandi and I have had a lots of ups and down. Mainly downs! Chemo is very hard to deal with as anyone who’s had it can attest. But my faith in the almighty, my martial spirit, and certainly your support and prayers have seen me through. Most of all, Mandi has provided the support and love to make the fight worthwhile. I can’t imagine tackling this without her.

After my chemo is finished, I will go through a battery of tests to see what’s happened with the cancer. If necessary, I may have to face some radiation or surgery to continue the process. That’ll seem like a cake walk compared to what I’ve already been through. I’m determined to get this over with, finish my antique car, and get out dancing. Who wants to take a spin with cancer-kickin’ man?

Anyways, thanks again for all your support, have a prosperous New Year and for Pete’s sake, stay healthy!!!

Your friend, Geoff

Last week was the incredible Frankie Tribute Weekend in Toronto. I summarized a lot of my feelings about the weekend in this post on FrankieTributeWeekend.com.

We’re still collecting the final funds for the silent auction and then we’ll be able to announce a final fundraising total. It was such a gratifying experience and I’m really excited to make next year’s event even bigger and better. We learned a lot this year and we’ll use those lessons to help us with next year’s event which will mark Frankie99, ie. Frankie Manning’s 99th birthday. Next year’s dates are May 24, 25, 26 2013!

We have a habit of spending Geoff’s birthday, April 21st, out of the country. Last year at this time we were in New York. This year we just hopped over the border for a little weekend excursion. 

Unfortunately, his birthday gift hadn’t arrived yet when we left, but it will be in this week. I ordered him this very cool jacket from My Baby Jo.

We left yesterday morning and made our first stop at the Lakeside Diner which is a spot we’ve been to before a few times. In fact, I think that we went there for Geoff’s birthday 2 or 3 years ago with Dean. Then we went to poke around the antique area that we’re fond of. Geoff found two pair of really nice cuff links, one set with an “H” on it for Holmes and the other with little Jitterbuggers on it! That was a pretty neat find. We also spied a great men’s vintage 50s bike in red and excellent condition that Geoff was very attracted to, but at $450 he’d have to want to ride a lot more often than he does to make it really worth while.

Then we headed over to Miss Josie’s Antiques. This is a great store where I bought a few hats a couple of years ago and they didn’t let me down this time either. I have a bit of a hat radar and immediately found two fantastic hats. One is bright orange with flowers on it, very vibrant and extreme, and the other is a little dark green day number that I’ll call my Peter Pan Hat. Photos forthcoming. There was also a nice black hat that I don’t particularly need since I have so many but it has a neat little art deco accessory on it so I grabbed it to resell since the price was right.

After that we went to the vintage car Museum; The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum. It’s not a big museum but they have a few really exquisite cars. Some day when Ginger, our 1929 Graham Paige, is done we’ll be able to drive her down there for one of their car shows.

I had wanted to go see some jazz on Saturday but we were really pooped and took an epic nap. By the time we went out for dinner it was 8:30pm and we weren’t done until about 10:30. We went back to watch a bit of TV instead which is a novelty for us since we aren’t TV people. At 2:30am there was a big fire alarm at the hotel which was really disruptive. After the evacuation, I couldn’t get to bed until 5am and then we slept in. In the morning we went to Bertha’s Diner, another place that we like back in the antique area.  We had some time to kill so we did a bit of shopping, and then it was time for the main event of the weekend.

Well that was a really neat idea! Seeing a silent film as it was meant to be seen, with live musical accompaniment and in a big beautiful theatre with an appreciative audience. A++ It was so compelling! My only regret was that I got a little sleepy in the second act since Geoff and I had some champagne on the intermission. Still, it was a really neat experience seeing it on the big screen. I would definitely like to do something like that again.

Also, the Shea’s Theater is really beautiful. I’d like to see some more things there.

So I guess that’s a wrap for the weekend. We didn’t take many photos but I’ll upload some when we get a chance, including the cuff links and hats.

Happy birthday, my wonderful husband! XO

I’ve just enjoyed 3 days of really nice celebration for my birthday. It’s my running joke with myself that I turn 27 every year. It’s an old joke, and probably not very funny, but if you can’t laugh at your own humour than what are you going to do?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfqniUmxBuQ]

On Thursday I stopped by Dolly Factory by Damzels and treated myself to a cute little red dress, a foxy blouse, and 3 fascinators. I should take some photos and post those soon. My sister, Zoey, met me and we continued along on a nice walk down Queen St. It was an indulgent day and we stopped at Bonjour Brioche for a croissant before going to a secret little coffee shop that I can’t remember the name of and it’s quite hidden, but it was really charming. One of the East End’s best secrets, for sure.

Then we hopped on the streetcar and headed West to break my usual no sugar rule in the most worthy way possible – with macarons! We went to Nadege which is on Queen West right across from Trinity Bellwoods park.

That evening I taught my usual dance classes but with a twist; I brought in a little trio to play for the Advanced class and then we had a little party when the class was done. It was so nice! I’m hoping that people put up the photos soon and I’ll include them here.

On Friday I had a nice date with my hubby who came in to Toronto and spent the day with me. We went to the Athens on the Danforth for a little brunch. This was a family tradition of ours when we were young. They make fantastic, freshly baked Greek pies like spanakopita. We had quite a little feast for just $13. Yum! Then we zipped up to a movie poster warehouse that Geoff knows and I picked up Hellzapoppin’ and A Day At The Races prints for the studio.  Then we went South to St. Lawrence Market because I love it there. Walked about and bought a big exotic Nebrodi mushroom cap to cook up this week and some interesting dry garlic snacks. We went on to poke around in Kensington Market and made a stop at Lilliput to look at hats. This is the fabulous store that made my wedding hat. They have exquisite things and I refrained for buying the $250 hat that I fell in love with.

Then it was off to dinner with my family at Rawlicious. They started their spring menu and I had the raw lasagna which is always fantastic as well as the brownie fudge sundae which was worth every delicious calorie. Yum!

Today I went for Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales in Niagara On The Lake with my good friend Steph. This was a wonderful way to cap off my birthday festivities. It’s a good thing that I went to the gym in the morning because afternoon tea is quite a feast. Delicious scones with cream, little finger sandwiches and delicate desserts can really fill you up when you’re also consuming 10 cups of tea. We each wore vintage hats for the occasion. It was lovely!

I wonder what I’ll do when I turn 27 the next time?

I’ve just enjoyed 3 days of really nice celebration for my birthday. It’s my running joke with myself that I turn 27 every year. It’s an old joke, and probably not very funny, but if you can’t laugh at your own humour than what are you going to do?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfqniUmxBuQ]

On Thursday I stopped by Dolly Factory by Damzels and treated myself to a cute little red dress, a foxy blouse, and 3 fascinators. I should take some photos and post those soon. My sister, Zoey, met me and we continued along on a nice walk down Queen St. It was an indulgent day and we stopped at Bonjour Brioche for a croissant before going to a secret little coffee shop that I can’t remember the name of and it’s quite hidden, but it was really charming. One of the East End’s best secrets, for sure.

Then we hopped on the streetcar and headed West to break my usual no sugar rule in the most worthy way possible – with macarons! We went to Nadege which is on Queen West right across from Trinity Bellwoods park.

That evening I taught my usual dance classes but with a twist; I brought in a little trio to play for the Advanced class and then we had a little party when the class was done. It was so nice! I’m hoping that people put up the photos soon and I’ll include them here.

On Friday I had a nice date with my hubby who came in to Toronto and spent the day with me. We went to the Athens on the Danforth for a little brunch. This was a family tradition of ours when we were young. They make fantastic, freshly baked Greek pies like spanakopita. We had quite a little feast for just $13. Yum! Then we zipped up to a movie poster warehouse that Geoff knows and I picked up Hellzapoppin’ and A Day At The Races prints for the studio.  Then we went South to St. Lawrence Market because I love it there. Walked about and bought a big exotic Nebrodi mushroom cap to cook up this week and some interesting dry garlic snacks. We went on to poke around in Kensington Market and made a stop at Lilliput to look at hats. This is the fabulous store that made my wedding hat. They have exquisite things and I refrained for buying the $250 hat that I fell in love with.

Then it was off to dinner with my family at Rawlicious. They started their spring menu and I had the raw lasagna which is always fantastic as well as the brownie fudge sundae which was worth every delicious calorie. Yum!

Today I went for Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales in Niagara On The Lake with my good friend Steph. This was a wonderful way to cap off my birthday festivities. It’s a good thing that I went to the gym in the morning because afternoon tea is quite a feast. Delicious scones with cream, little finger sandwiches and delicate desserts can really fill you up when you’re also consuming 10 cups of tea. We each wore vintage hats for the occasion. It was lovely!

I wonder what I’ll do when I turn 27 the next time?

Last night we went to the 20th Annual CKOC Reunion Dance, an event in Hamilton put on by the oldies radio station. We went to the event last year and had a pretty good time, so we thought we’d go again. Also, our friend Dean won first prize in the costume contest last year and a great prize of $500, so Geoff thought he’d put together a really great costume and shoot for the cash prize.

We did some brain storming to come up with fun 1950s & 60s costume ideas and came up with a TV Dinner! Geoff loved this rather extreme costume idea – most people just dress up as greasers and sock hoppers – so we’ve had the makings of a giant TV Dinner in our living room for the past 6 weeks.

Well, it ended up being a bust. The radio station did indeed advertise that there would be a cash prize, but I guess they went over budget and though Geoff did win for the best male costume, they gave him a crappy gift basket instead of the cash they had advertised. He was furious! And he doesn’t get mad very easily. He plans to write them a letter tomorrow. Uh oh!

For myself, it was a good excuse to pull out the Marilyn wig again. I had a reasonably fun time parading around as Marilyn for the earlier part of the night, but then I got pretty tired and annoyed with the whole thing. The venue and the music wasn’t as good as last year. We won’t be attending again.

On a brighter note, our friend, Inna, won the door prize of a big trip to the Carribean! Not bad at all.

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Ruby Keeler & Dick Powell, Esther Williams and Ann Margret… I’ve been updating my board here: http://pinterest.com/manderava/people-i-love/