Whirl wind

These past few days have been a whirl wind! Tuesday it snowed and it made all the driving I do quite difficult. That snow also meant that Wednesday and Thursday the schools had a 10am start. Those 10 am starts are nice because we're not so rushed in the morning, but once the kids are in school I turn into the Tasmanian Devil. Those delays mean I have 2 less hours to get stuff done. Add to that the fact that I love to procrastinate and it's just a disaster.

Yesterday was especially crazy because it was my feature day over on SITS. Yay me! I'm quite proud of myself because I think I responded to everyone's lovely comments.

I would like to give a huge thank you to anyone who read my post about wishing for a fast forward button. Losing someone we care about is incredibly hard. The kind words that were left on that post mean a lot to me. Thank you!


If a commenter is a no-reply, there's not much I can do about responding. But if I can get to your blog to return the visit, I definitely will. Just give me some time.

For now I need to figure out what the heck I'm wearing tonight. The husband and I are going to his company work party. It's nothing fancy. Apparently programmers aren't big on the dressing up thing. But I still like to look nice.


This weekend the midgets will finally get the chance to play in the snow. There's enough of it out there that they should be occupied for quite some time (yay!). Keep an eye out next week for some pictures of my snow monsters!


Until next time....

Pouring My Heart OutMaybe Things Happen For a Reason

Today is a rough day. I have so many emotions running through me. I don't know which one to go with or how to react to everything.

A lot of you know the story of sweet Monkey. If you don't, click her beautiful face over there on the right in my sidebar. She was recently diagnosed with cancer. If you know her story and are aware of the financial burden that accompanies this battle, please click the button up top under my nav bar. It will direct you to the PayPal site where you can donate. Also, go visit Ian for other ways to help.

The cancer that Monkey is battling is neuroblastoma. It sickens me that I now know how to spell that correctly. Cancer in general is a cold hearted bitch! The cancer that Monkey has is the same thing that Jaden was diagnosed with and the same cancer that took sweet Ethan from this world too soon. Cancer can hit anyone - mothers, daughters, friends. It doesn't care who. It just strikes.

I am pissed that cancer can strike those who have done no wrong in their lives. At least nothing serious enough to be cursed with such a battle as cancer. I am also sad. Sad for those who have to battle this, no matter what their age may be. Sad for those who have lost their battles to this ugliness.

I have this feeling in my gut about Monkey.

SHE WILL OVERCOME THIS!!!!!

What tears me apart is why I know this. Over the past few months it seems things have been taken at the same time things have been given.

Shorty after the new year began, my friend Marie lost her battle to pancreatic cancer. She was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and a beautiful person. As hard as her loss was, it helped to hear that at the same time, Jaden was winning his battle with cancer. I am not going into my religious beliefs because I try to keep that subject off of here, so call it what you will. Part of me believes Marie sacrificed so Jaden could thrive. These thoughts are creeping in regarding Ethan and Monkey.

Ethan getting his wings is too sad for words. I can't even imagine losing my child. I do follow Ethan Bug's blog, but I will admit, some days I just cannot bear to read. Perhaps Ethan's path was to receive his wings so he could watch over other babies suffering. Maybe his loss will help protect Monkey and get her and her family through this.




Today I am also dealing with a slew of other emotions. Hope, nervousness, my relationships with those around me. Today is the voting day for PTA officers. I am up for Treasurer. I will save the release of these emotions for another time. Just wish me luck and please put your focus on Monkey.


Thank you!


Until next time....

Let It Snow

You're shocked I said that, right? I mean, I have been a snow grinch raving about this lovely weather since it first started. But last night as I was watching the snow fall, I was secretly praying for at least a 10am start.

I have had one hell of a week!!! I posted earlier in the week about the loss of a friend. Yesterday was her funeral and it was just horrible! I know that she is no longer in pain and while that is a big relief, she leaves a lot behind. She touched so many lives and I didn't realize exactly how many until I saw how many people were in attendance yesterday. She also left behind a husband and 2 little girls. I know they will find a way to keep on going, but it's a very sad thing for them to go through.

Anysnow, back to the weather. I need a break from grieving and today I got just that. It started last night with the phone call that our district has a 10am start. They have this cool phone system where the principal or superintendent records a message and it gets sent out to all the parents. Altho sometimes I think they have too much fun with that. We got a phone call once about a change in the lunch menu. Was that really necessary?

I knew I still had to get everyone up to take Chris to work, but at least we wouldn't have to rush to get GG to school on time. 730 this morning my phone rings. I don't answer because

1. I'm driving and
2. I don't recognize the number

Immediately after my phone stops ringing, Chris' phone starts. I knew then and there that school was cancelled. Ya, I know I'm stuck inside with the kids today, which may or may not be a good thing. We've all had it rough this week and emotions are flying high. GG's friend ost her mom and Little Dude was at the funeral with me and he's too young to fully understand what was going on. But to make things even better, Chris called this morning and said that his buddy with an SUV will drive him home because the roads are only getting worse.

YAY!!!
That gives me more time to
do laundry
clean the house
blog!

And I think I may get out of the bulk of the shovelling today. The kids are BEGGING me to let them help with that chore today. Hopefully this time, Little Dude doesn't decide to build a snow fort on the walkway!

Just because I'm excited over a snow day
doesn't mean I still can't complain!

Until next time...

Where's the Fast Forward Button

It's only Monday and I already know that this is going to be one of the longest weeks. Let's start with my never ending complaints about Mother Nature. She's a b*&h!! And I want to know what kind of funky measurement device these weathermen are using. An inch of snow? I don't think so!!! It started snowing (again) around 6 am this morning. It started too late for the schools to have any sort of delay and my typical 1.5 hour drive to take my husband to work turned into 3.

Luckily the crappy weather and my frustrations at being forced into the situation where I have to drive him to work kept my mind off of bigger issues at hand. That is until I walked out of the school after dropping GG off (4o minutes late - ugh!).

We walked her into the office to get her late pass. We gave her good-bye hugs. I told her if her friend was in school, although I highly doubt she'll be there, to give her a big hug. A tragedy has hit her friend's family.

Last night I received a phone call from a friend. I hoped with everything I had that she was calling to ask a favor. Maybe her daughter was sick and she needed me to drop off her work. Sadly I was wrong. She was calling to give me the news that our friend, Marie, had lost her battle to pancreatic cancer.

I cried, was in shock, and then went into a state of denial.

GG was just at her house last Friday to have a playdate with her daughter. I knew my friend wasn't doing well at all. Part of me was hoping it was just side effects of her meds, but the other part of me knew that was wrong. This loss hit me as I walked out of the school this morning. She was very involved in her daughter's lives and very involved with the school.

Because of this, I think it's going to be a very long week. I wish I could fast forward and get this week over with.

I also wish I could get some answers. I don't understand why she had to be taken from this world. I know in my heart that she is now at peace, and I am thankful for that. But I don't understand why she had to go through what she did in the first place. Why do some people overcome their battles with cancer, but others cannot? And why are good people forced to battle such an ugly thing in the first place?

I wish I knew.

Until next time...

Nature Walk

Monday GG didn't have school due to Mr. Columbus.

Hey look! There's a new plot of land that was hidden by trees! Can I have a day named after me now?

Sorry, got sidetracked. Where was I? Oh, right, no school.
So Monday was the nicest day so far this week and I decided to take the kids for a nature walk. Mother Nature has really been getting my my nerves as of late, but sometimes you never know what good may come from her.

So each of the kids had a baggie with their names on them - heaven forbid I forget to label and their findings get mixed up! They collected leaves, sticks, rocks...all kinds of things! After we got home I plugged in my hot glue gun. They told me where to put things and I glued.

Paige decided to make a tree using her findings....



And Little Dude decided to make a car with his treasures.....




Until next time...

click me

What a day, what a day

Actually, the suckiness of my day started last night. I was killing time waiting for the kids to finish their bed snacks by checking on Facebook. I came across the status of my friend, J...

has heard disheartening news about my friend with cancer. It has grown and this last round of chemo had more bad side effects. Marie, her two sweet girls, a loving husband and many, many friends are all dealing with the thoughts of what is to come ...in the next year. Sometimes it's hard to enjoy a moment when you can see the big picture - but that's WHY we have to enjoy the moment.

It took everything I had to not break down into tears. You see, my daughter does not know that she is sick. GG is good friends with her youngest daughter and I just don't know how to break it to her. This is just not the news I wanted to hear. It makes me so sad.

And it really pisses me off, too! I don't understand why bad things have to happen to good people. I know that she will keep fighting for her life and for her girls, but have you seen the statistics for Pancreatic cancer? They're not good! Not good at all.

And then today I had to run to the grocery store and again, I get all pissed off. Everywhere I turn, there's a pink lid, a pink box, a pink bag, and on and on. I am so sick of seeing pink! Where's the effin purple?!? There needs to be more attention put on this cancer to raise awareness, help find a cure, and make the road to being cured more affordable. See, that's one of the problems - there is an experimental treatment, but it's not cheap.

Before I go any further, please let me explain this pink thing. I understand that breast cancer is a bad thing. As a woman I am happy to see that there is so much being done for women battling breast cancer and the survival rate seems to be going up. I am by no means saying this pink campaign is a bad thing, because it's not, but that is not what my friend Marie is battling. And I am pissed that I cannot do much to make her better. Yes there was a fundraiser at the school where the kids raised $2,000 for her and her family through Penny Wars and there is a bake sale next month. While those are awesome things, they cannot cure her. This whole thing just frustrates me to no end!

This afternoon I took Little Dude to his story time. It's good for him because he's learning and it gave me a break from the crap that's going on. The library is next to the fire hall and about 15 minutes into story time I hear at least 3 firetrucks racing to a fire. When I get to the PTA meeting later I come to find out that the fire was at the house of a family from my daughter's school. Later on tonight I find out I am friends with this woman who's house was on fire. Thank goodness the fire was only in one room of her house and hopefully it did not cause too much damage. But seriously, can this bad crap just stop?!?

Ok, enough rambling vents. And if you have made it to the end of this, I thank you! Before I go stuff my face with Oreos and milk, cuz junk food always makes one feel better, right? I will leave you with a happy story.....

While some of the PTA members were at the bank depositing the money from the Penny Wars, a woman in front of them in line asked what are Penny Wars. And I'm sure you're asking the same thing by now. Each classroom has a bucket. The kids bring in pennies and on 2 days during the week long war they are allowed to bring in silver coins and bills. The silver coins and bills subtract from your penny total. For example, you have 50 pennies and someone puts a dime in your bucket. You now have 40 cents. Anywho, this woman goes to the teller and cashes her $18 check. She then turns around to the PTA women who are complete strangers to her, and gives them $10 to go towards the family receiving the money.

Proof that there are wonderful people in this world!

Until next time.....

Cancer - Know It. Fight It. End It.

I have a friend who is battling cancer. Some of you know about this, and others don't. To refresh your memory or learn about it and my feelings on the matter, check out Stop and Smell the Roses and Pick up the Pace.

There also is a link on the side of my page where you can learn more about Pancreatic cancer.

I received an email this morning asking me to take a challenge and I want to extend this invitation to those out in blogland. Here's a portion of that email......

Pancreatic cancer isn't getting the attention it deserves–not from the federal government and not from medical researchers. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The number of cases is increasing, but the investment in research for early detection, effective treatment options and eventually a cure lags far behind the other leading cancer killers.

The challenge: Help the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network find 8,120 people to join us in the fight against pancreatic cancer to match the 8,120 people who will be diagnosed between now and the end of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month this November. Let’s grow the community of support for those facing pancreatic cancer by growing the number of people who know about it and are committed to helping fight it and end it. For each person who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between now and the end of November we’ll add one more name to the list of people standing up for them.

If you stop by and read this, please take a moment to join me in this challenge.


Know It. Fight It. End It.

You can also grab the button to help spread the word. It will take you to the petition site as well!

Thank you!!!!

Until next time...

Going Purple

I'm sure like a lot of other people, today I am going to blog about Patrick Swayze. This is such a tragedy. He was taken from this world way to early.


He was an amazing actor! Dirty Dancing was and still is one of my favorite movies. I was so envious of Baby! I wanted to go on vacation and meet a man like that and dance the night away!



And Ghost.....I still cry!
Every time!



I just want to scream and yell at Sam. Why does he have to walk towards the light? I don't care who's there waiting for him. He can't leave Molly! He just can't!

RIP Patrick Swayze
August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009


Last night when I was reading the news about his untimely death, it really hit me hard. Pancreatic cancer is such a deadly illness. It is estimated that 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with it and out of those, 35,420 will die from it. I just did the math and that's 83% of people diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer will not survive. That's just downright scary!!!

The reason that this news hit me hard (and those statistics only made it worse) is that I have a friend who is battling this disease. She has 2 young girls. I just cannot wrap my head around how one can lead a normal life while trying to fight this ugly thing and know that chances are, you will not get to see your children graduate high school, get married, and have families of their own. How in the world do you find the balance of living your life and preparing for death?

I'm sure you've seen the link on the side of my blog for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I'm not trying to get people to donate money, altho that would be great. But please take a look to learn more and to learn how you can help. There needs to be more research done for this ugly disease so hopefully soon, we can find a way to beat it. Patrick Swayze and Randy Pausch both lived longer than their doctors predicted and that's a good sign. I just hope someday soon, doctors can find a treatment that results in these patients living even longer.



And always remember to hug your loved ones and please take the time to stop and smell the roses.

Until next time....

Pick up the Pace

This was the saying for the day for a few reasons. A friend of mine has pancreatic cancer. This morning a group of us participated in the Pick up the Pace walk for cancer. I can't even tell you how many times we said this to Mike when walking to the walk location and then again during our walk. I had decided to do the 1 mile walk because I didn't think the kids, or at least Mike, would be able to walk much more than that. Especially in the sweltering heat! Another participant decided to return with me and we also took my friend's daughter with us. We hung out at the park while the rest of our group walked the 3 mile walk, which they all swore was more than 3 miles.

Heading down to the walk site, we said to Mike many times that he needed to "pick up the pace", not realizing at first that that was also the name of this walk. But he has little legs and it was hot, so can you really blame him for being slower than us taller people? This saying is also important for another reason. We learned afterwards that the EMS were not present and during the walk, especially for the longer distance, there were no water stations. Other walks I have been to there have been tables with cups of water and medical personnel present. There were a lot of older people there. What if someone had passed out from the heat on the trail?

I got to thinking later on in the day that there doesn't seem to be much awareness for pancreatic cancer. It is a horrible disease and the survival rate is not high. Most people do not know that have this cancer until it is too late. I think that we need to make others aware of this horrible disease. Hopefully researchers can do more research to find a way to detect this in people earlier and find a way to treat it and increase the survival rate. That is the main reason for this entry. I want to help spread awareness. I want my friend who is battling for her life to win that battle and I want the people after her who are diagnosed to have a better chance to win their fight.
If you read this, please click on the link on the side of my page. It will take you to the Pancan site where you can learn more and learn how to spread the word and help others.

Stop and smell the roses

It's been a rough day for me. Here I am worrying about trivial things when, BAM! Smacked in the face with devastating news. What was I worried about? Well, I'll tell you. Mike went to the doctor the other day for his 4 year check-up. I had a few questions about his behavior - a week or so ago I didn't think he would make it to 4! Anyway, the doctor said he's a boy and it's just the age. Fine, whatever, he's probably right. So I asked for advice on discipline. Time-outs are good (1 minute per year the child is), taking away privileges, rewarding good behavior. Well I do these things! Short of beating him, many times nothing gets through to him. By the way, no I don't beat my kids. The doctor also asked about preschool. We're doing it at home. Apparently that was not the correct answer, but guess what? That's what we're doing!

So anyway, back to why I need to stop worrying about these trivial things and start embracing the little things. A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer last year. She had gone through chemo and radiation and was very positive about the whole thing. It wasn't spreading and the treatments seemed to be working. Well, she recently went in for a scan and her doctors realized that the cancer had spread. Yes, there is a new experimental procedure they could try which may give her a little more time. But if that doesn't work, she probably has another year.

I am having such a hard time dealing with this. One of my biggest fears is to leave this earth before my children are grown. I want to be there while they grow and become adults and have families of their own. My friend will probably not get a chance to see her daughters grow into adults. I know that some treatments work wonders and cancer patients can go on living a wonderful life for a long time. While this is what I hope for her, what she has is one of the ugliest and hardest cancers to treat.

Other friends are talking about doing a walk in her name, fundraisers, and giving her and her family little things to help them enjoy what time she has. I am all over this and want to help as much as I can. But at the same time, there's only so much I can do. I can't cure her, I can't make this process any easier, and I absolutely hate that feeling of helplessness.

Devastating things like this are reminders to hug your loved ones, call a friend you haven't talked to in a while, and always stop to smell the roses.

Anyone who reads this, please keep this woman and her family in your thoughts and prayers. They need all the good vibes they can get.