in case you spent the past day or so in a sealed off cave and don't know, yesterday was Mother's Day. a perfectly lovely holiday to celebrate the wonderful relationship between a woman and her children. But, if your mother has passed away it isn't quite so happy of a day. it must be similar to some one just out of a relationship being stuck dealing with Valentine's Day. 24+ hours of discomfort where you can't express your own sadness without raining on dear friends' parades.
yeah, that is kinda what it is like.
indeed I was lucky to have my boys around. though at almost 14 and 16, they aren't the greatest rays of sunshine. but it was hard to not think about the one-way-ness of the day. no mom to call. no grandma to call. even if the boys had been doting little balls of adorableness, the day would have been a bit flat.
but my sadness was nothing compared to another person I spent the day with: a young woman who lost her own mother..........a 19 year old woman who lost her mom this past year. not that I loved my mother any less, but the pain she was dealing with was multiple times greater than my own. donuts, baseball, and frozen yogurt were great distractions but couldn't remove the sadness that Mother's Day brought her. it was really brought home when she reminded one of my oversized bundles of joy to be thankful they had a mom around to tell them what to do.
so.......Mother's Day is gone for another 364 days. that is a long time to not acknowledge one of the most important people in anyone's life.
even though there are no "day after Mother's Day" cards, don't let 364 days pass before you call your mom, hug your mom, or send your mom a sweet little note. some of us wish we had that same opportunity.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
March of Dimes......if you would actually like to sponsor me!
Guess I made a mess of the link in my previous post.....that you should really read!
But anyway, if you would like to sponsor my SIX MILE walk to support babies, you can by clicking on the link to the left of this post......or right here:
http://tinyurl.com/SusanMarches2012
The babies, my marriage and I thank you!
But anyway, if you would like to sponsor my SIX MILE walk to support babies, you can by clicking on the link to the left of this post......or right here:
http://tinyurl.com/SusanMarches2012
The babies, my marriage and I thank you!
Monday, April 2, 2012
The oddest March of Dimes story you will ever hear!
when you talk to people and find out they support the March of Dimes, you are apt to hear stories of saved babies, women getting necessary prenatal care, wonderful support during pregnancy, etc. those are all wonderful things and I love hearing them all! but this isn't a personal story anything like that.
back in 1989 (or was it 1990) I answered an ad looking for volunteers for a March of Dimes benefit. in those days, they held a Bid for Bachelors auction. single men would put together "date" packages and women would bid on them. the highest bidder got the date. when I called, I thought I would be one of the lowly schmucks that would say "thanks for coming, here is your program," put tablecloths out or whatever. I had no clue that I would end up on the committee for the event. I didn't have a clue about a lot of things at that point.
so, plans made, event organized. I am proud to say that I came up with the theme "Knight in Shining Armor" and even found some knights to come guard the door to the event and do a little sword fighting for entertainment. the night before the event there was a rehearsal. there I chatted up one of the bachelors. totally not my type, he was blond with blue eyes and extremely cocky. I won't go into the rest of the sordid details. you either know them already or can ask the next time we chat. needless to say it is definitely a "he said / she said" story and I did NOT buy Jeff.
anyway, we will have been married 19 years in a couple weeks......all thanks to the March of Dimes! so, when I walk on the 28th, I won't just be walking for those adorable sweet babies, I'll also be walking for an adorable former blond with blue eyes and 19 years of marriage! so please consider skipping your morning cafe mocha and support my walk? it is for love......young and old! lol!
Susan's March of Dimes page
told you it was the oddest March of Dimes support story you would ever hear!
back in 1989 (or was it 1990) I answered an ad looking for volunteers for a March of Dimes benefit. in those days, they held a Bid for Bachelors auction. single men would put together "date" packages and women would bid on them. the highest bidder got the date. when I called, I thought I would be one of the lowly schmucks that would say "thanks for coming, here is your program," put tablecloths out or whatever. I had no clue that I would end up on the committee for the event. I didn't have a clue about a lot of things at that point.
so, plans made, event organized. I am proud to say that I came up with the theme "Knight in Shining Armor" and even found some knights to come guard the door to the event and do a little sword fighting for entertainment. the night before the event there was a rehearsal. there I chatted up one of the bachelors. totally not my type, he was blond with blue eyes and extremely cocky. I won't go into the rest of the sordid details. you either know them already or can ask the next time we chat. needless to say it is definitely a "he said / she said" story and I did NOT buy Jeff.
anyway, we will have been married 19 years in a couple weeks......all thanks to the March of Dimes! so, when I walk on the 28th, I won't just be walking for those adorable sweet babies, I'll also be walking for an adorable former blond with blue eyes and 19 years of marriage! so please consider skipping your morning cafe mocha and support my walk? it is for love......young and old! lol!
Susan's March of Dimes page
told you it was the oddest March of Dimes support story you would ever hear!
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Theory of Applied Enthusiasm
I am one of those people who can't be spaztically excited about more than one thing at a time. yes, there are lots of exciting things going on, but I would probably have a melt down if I thought about all of them all of the time!
for instance, back in December, I was really excited (perhaps obsessed) waiting for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movie to come out. perhaps you remember? at the time someone asked me if I was looking forward to The Hunger Games movie. um, I couldn't even THINK about a movie 3 months away when there was one JUST DAYS AWAY!
likewise, I can't focus on multiple goals at one time. I have my nice detail oriented list at work of the major tasks I need to accomplish for work........in chronological due date order.
and not surprisingly, the same goes for the causes I want to promote and am excited about! right now on my plate are the following events:
Social Media to Save Lives Marrow Registry Drive - next Tuesday
March of Dimes March to Save Babies - April 24th (you are welcome to donate, tee hee!)
both are near and dear to my heart! truly, they are! see, I met my husband at a March of Dimes event.....Bid for Bachelors a couple decades ago! (seriously) and yes, he WAS a bachelor and NO I didn't buy him! hey, I was a broke college student!
as much as I would like to go full on promoting the March, I can't do both it and the Marrow Registry Drive at the same time. I'd feel too scattered.....and am that way too much without any help. when it comes down to it, I shouldn't have to promote the Registry Drive. really, how hard should it be to convince people to come let someone swab their mouth to enroll them in Be The Match so that sometime in the future they might be able to give someone the best possible gift: the gift of LIFE! I'm not exaggerating here!
did you see that quote on the front page of the Be The Match site? it says 10,000 people need a bone marrow transplant and half get them! how sad is that? it isn't because they can't afford it, it is because a match can not be found! YOU, or your neighbor, or your co-worker, or your favorite barista (over the age of 18) could be that match!
so please consider joining us next Tuesday. it will take just a few minutes of your time and could add a lifetime of time to someone else. please consider asking your neighbor, your co-worker, and even your favorite barista to join us too! you never know when they might be the MATCH to save you or a loved one's life! print out this flyer and carry it around with you! (why not? it is light and foldable and has all the great info you need)
I'll be back after next week to spaz about the March, The Hunger Games, or something else. you just never know with me!
for instance, back in December, I was really excited (perhaps obsessed) waiting for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movie to come out. perhaps you remember? at the time someone asked me if I was looking forward to The Hunger Games movie. um, I couldn't even THINK about a movie 3 months away when there was one JUST DAYS AWAY!
likewise, I can't focus on multiple goals at one time. I have my nice detail oriented list at work of the major tasks I need to accomplish for work........in chronological due date order.
and not surprisingly, the same goes for the causes I want to promote and am excited about! right now on my plate are the following events:
Social Media to Save Lives Marrow Registry Drive - next Tuesday
March of Dimes March to Save Babies - April 24th (you are welcome to donate, tee hee!)
both are near and dear to my heart! truly, they are! see, I met my husband at a March of Dimes event.....Bid for Bachelors a couple decades ago! (seriously) and yes, he WAS a bachelor and NO I didn't buy him! hey, I was a broke college student!
as much as I would like to go full on promoting the March, I can't do both it and the Marrow Registry Drive at the same time. I'd feel too scattered.....and am that way too much without any help. when it comes down to it, I shouldn't have to promote the Registry Drive. really, how hard should it be to convince people to come let someone swab their mouth to enroll them in Be The Match so that sometime in the future they might be able to give someone the best possible gift: the gift of LIFE! I'm not exaggerating here!
did you see that quote on the front page of the Be The Match site? it says 10,000 people need a bone marrow transplant and half get them! how sad is that? it isn't because they can't afford it, it is because a match can not be found! YOU, or your neighbor, or your co-worker, or your favorite barista (over the age of 18) could be that match!
so please consider joining us next Tuesday. it will take just a few minutes of your time and could add a lifetime of time to someone else. please consider asking your neighbor, your co-worker, and even your favorite barista to join us too! you never know when they might be the MATCH to save you or a loved one's life! print out this flyer and carry it around with you! (why not? it is light and foldable and has all the great info you need)
I'll be back after next week to spaz about the March, The Hunger Games, or something else. you just never know with me!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Strange Connections....or why Men At Work make me miss my Grandmother
Yes, quite an odd title, but I am sure after reading this post you will understand why the Australian singing group Men At Work reminds me of my Grandmother, Nana.
Many years ago there was a store called Gold Circle. Kinda like the Target or Kmart of its day........except Kmart was already around. Based on Wikipedia, I am going to say 1983. Nana and I were shopping at Gold Circle. I don't remember my mother being there and since Nana didn't drive, I have no clue how we got there. Maybe I drove? Guess that doesn't matter. Anyway, I remember seeing the single for Men At Work's "Overkill." The sign was mistyped and it said "OverHILL." Got it? I thought it was so funny that it got stuck in my head.
I didn't buy the single. But Nana must have bought something because she argued with the cashier about being able to use cashiers checks without ID. Nana, who had worked in banking for almost a century (slight exaggeration) said you didn't need ID with cashiers checks, that was the whole reason she got them, etc. The cashier said she needed ID because it was a CHECK. oh yes, back and forth, supervisors called etc. I can't tell you the outcome because I was too busy being embarrassed......an embarrassment that I wouldn't have to suffer now thanks to ATM cards! I mean, who uses cashiers checks anymore? lol!
So, now, almost 20 years later, whenever I hear ANY Men At Work song, I think of Nana. Kinda a nifty connection, definitely an odd connection......but I love when the 80s station puts on some of those crazy Vegemite eaters! Is it just me or does everyone have these strange connections?
Many years ago there was a store called Gold Circle. Kinda like the Target or Kmart of its day........except Kmart was already around. Based on Wikipedia, I am going to say 1983. Nana and I were shopping at Gold Circle. I don't remember my mother being there and since Nana didn't drive, I have no clue how we got there. Maybe I drove? Guess that doesn't matter. Anyway, I remember seeing the single for Men At Work's "Overkill." The sign was mistyped and it said "OverHILL." Got it? I thought it was so funny that it got stuck in my head.
I didn't buy the single. But Nana must have bought something because she argued with the cashier about being able to use cashiers checks without ID. Nana, who had worked in banking for almost a century (slight exaggeration) said you didn't need ID with cashiers checks, that was the whole reason she got them, etc. The cashier said she needed ID because it was a CHECK. oh yes, back and forth, supervisors called etc. I can't tell you the outcome because I was too busy being embarrassed......an embarrassment that I wouldn't have to suffer now thanks to ATM cards! I mean, who uses cashiers checks anymore? lol!
So, now, almost 20 years later, whenever I hear ANY Men At Work song, I think of Nana. Kinda a nifty connection, definitely an odd connection......but I love when the 80s station puts on some of those crazy Vegemite eaters! Is it just me or does everyone have these strange connections?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Donating blood.....and why perhaps I should change the name of this blog!
so I have mentioned before that I am a lazy blogger. if you look at the irregularity of my blog posts you can see it in living color. perhaps I should change the blog name to "Susan is a lazy blogger." but, I think I am a bit too lazy to do that! lol!
anyway, I am going to steal a blog post......or more politely, link you to a blog post. this one is about donating blood. why write what someone else has done such a good job of writing already? so.....please go read Leslie's post about her case for giving blood and then come back to read the rest of my blog. (see......SUCH a lazy blogger!)
done?? didn't it make you want to go donate? well....it should! I do have 2 of my own thoughts to contribute at this point:
1. if you have problems having sufficient iron (eat more dark greens, young lady!!), try tomato sauce in a cast iron pan the night or two before. have some tasty spaghetti and the tomato sauce will help your blood absorb oodles of iron from the pan.
2. you don't get to pick your bandage color. sad, isn't it? but now they have premade kits for the blood draws and no color choices. if this is the only thing holding you back, let me know......I'll send you a Hello Kitty or Pokemon bandaid! sheesh!
and that is what I am thinking today. with my last donation, I am at 32 pints. I can't stand needles so if I can do it YOU can do it!
anyway, I am going to steal a blog post......or more politely, link you to a blog post. this one is about donating blood. why write what someone else has done such a good job of writing already? so.....please go read Leslie's post about her case for giving blood and then come back to read the rest of my blog. (see......SUCH a lazy blogger!)
done?? didn't it make you want to go donate? well....it should! I do have 2 of my own thoughts to contribute at this point:
1. if you have problems having sufficient iron (eat more dark greens, young lady!!), try tomato sauce in a cast iron pan the night or two before. have some tasty spaghetti and the tomato sauce will help your blood absorb oodles of iron from the pan.
2. you don't get to pick your bandage color. sad, isn't it? but now they have premade kits for the blood draws and no color choices. if this is the only thing holding you back, let me know......I'll send you a Hello Kitty or Pokemon bandaid! sheesh!
and that is what I am thinking today. with my last donation, I am at 32 pints. I can't stand needles so if I can do it YOU can do it!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Winners! Winners! (and link for discount tickets to Sportsmen's Expo)
Congrats to Dolphyngyrl and Ally for winning passes to this weekend's Sportsmen's Expo!!
Remember, if you didn't win, you can still use this link to get yourself $2 off adult tickets! Kids 15 and under are free!
Susan’s Super Sportsmen’s Expo Saver Link
Remember, if you didn't win, you can still use this link to get yourself $2 off adult tickets! Kids 15 and under are free!
Susan’s Super Sportsmen’s Expo Saver Link
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