Remembering Noah

Project: Remembering Noah is a project created by Noah's mother. While some people chose to send off balloons and some chose charity work in honor of this sweet little guy, I chose to create and submit this.

Spirit Jump

 I've recently become very involved in an organization called Spirit Jump.

I've decided to tell you my reasons for Spirit Jumping and why I feel so connected to these people, why I feel such a pull on my heartstrings to participate.  

First I have to tell you what Spirit Jump is though. It's a blog created by two beautiful women, Meaghan and Stacy, who have faced the trials of cancer. They put together this organization which works to send things to people going through cancer to brighten their day and give them a "Spirit Jump!" People send things ranging from gifts down to a card with a simple message. Nothing is too small. 

So now why I do this.

I Spirit Jump because I've had Cancer impact the lives of both family and close friends. 

I've seen firsthand the devastation it can cause a person and their families.

Celebration

Cancer is a horrible thing that takes the lives of many people each year. I have been fortunate enough to know numerous wonderful people who within the last 2 years have lost their battle.

 I am Spirit Jumping in celebration of their lives. 

I lost my aunt Anne Hett, to lung cancer in November of 2007.

I lost my friends Jesse Rios, at 61

 and

 Teri Allmeroth, at 58  both to liver cancer in 2008.

Joy

It's always the greatest news when a call comes and the word remission comes out of a loved one's mouth.

 I am Spirit Jumping for the ones who have come out on top.

My Dad was diagnosed with melanoma. Growing up, that's exactly what it was referred to, melanoma. A while after his surgery the more general name came to be. Cancer. He's now completely cancer free.

My Grandfather had colon cancer. He went through a brutal struggle and still today has to deal with many of the after effects. He can say though that he is cancer free.

One of my best friends, Airielle, only 16 at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Lukemia (AML). She is now 18-years-old and a proud survivor of the disease. 

My middle school PE teacher, Scott Hudson, last year at 50-years-old, after losing his home to a roaring fire in our town, was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. He is now doing well and in complete remission.

Support

As much as I hate to say it, too many people take their health for granted. There are many who face this lack of health everyday and are still within the struggle, the fight, to get back to life without cancer. 

I'm Spirit Jumping in my love and support for the ones battling everyday.

Laurel is a friend who's always been more like family. She's been there for me my entire life and been in the struggle through cancer for much of her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and went into remission. But the cancer came back, this time in her ribs. She is a hero of mine, I didn't know it was possible to be so brave while dealing with something so horrible. I look up to her in many ways and am anxiously awaiting the day she is able to say that there is no more cancer.

Hope  

Very few people go through their entire lives without ever being touched or hearing the word Cancer. It's a sadness for some, and an unknown for many. But I believe there are many efforts that can be made in order to fight back.

 

I am a passionate believer that there is Hope for the future and that no one should have to go through this alone.

Wordless Wednesday -#6

Never forget that there's always hope.

[You can also find this photo of mine here.]

Home Alone

So Chelsea [who by the way got her summer haircut] and I spent the day alone together today. I have to give you the backstory and tell you how close she is with my mom and usually spends her days at my moms heels following her around the house. I mean look at the looks she gives my mom [she has my mom pretty wrapped around her paw.]

But today when it was just me, Chelsea spent the entire day on the landing of the stairs. Not even coming when the refrigerator door opened. [She's 11-years-old and we think she's beginning to loose her hearing but just the sound of the fridge door opening still sends her running!] I walked into the living room to find her looking out the front window. The entire day she was just so sad the entire day! And she just kept looking at me mournfully wanting to know when my mom was going to be home.

When my mom finally did come home, Chelsea was jumping and dancing and suddenly had a ton of energy. Oh Sweet Thang.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

So lately Pepsi's had a comercial playing on television for a new product of theirs. Let me first note that I really don't drink much soda so this may just be me. In the advertisement for their new product the "Pepsi Throwback" they advertise that the soda is "made with real sugar for a limited time". I'm sorry but that just gives me the image of the liquid chemical sugar-like substance that makes up their other products [not to say that it doesn't taste good]. So isn't it a little strange to promote their products in that way? Just a thought.

My Best Shot Monday - #6

I Love 5-Year-Olds

I love 5-year-olds. 

I got the chance to visit with my sweet neighbor Chase tonight.

She was entranced by my "magic computer" and how it could turn us into colors!

She also went out in the backyard to play with the kitties and couldn't figure out why when she clomped towards them in boots and ran after them, they ran away!

I showed her a cat toy that was a string on a stick that the cats play with and she was determined to get the cats to play with it. She was successful numerous times but in the end resorted to lying the string on top of the cat. [Thankfully I have a very patient cat.]

She was so excited just to wave the ribbon around and have the cats play with her.

Too cute.

I love 5-year-olds.

Pay It Forward

So yesterday Tanielle did a post for a Pay it Forward over on her blog! 

I thought it was a great idea and decided to partake!

So here we go...

Making handcrafted items is a dying art, but they are so fun to make and get! So, here's a little game to encourage the handcrafting to live and thrive. The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post, will receive, at some point during the year, a super-duper handmade gift from me! What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise. The catch is that you must participate as well :) So before you leave your comment here, write up (or copy and paste) a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then, come back, let me know you are going to play, and anticipate the arrival of your super-duper handmade gift! Remember that only the FIRST FIVE comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make. But, I will try my best to make sure that you do :)

2. It will be done this year (hopefully sooner than later)

3. You will have no clue what or when it will be.Please make sure to leave your e-mail address too so I can get a hold of you.

Have fun and have a wonderful Sunday!

Inspire April Swap

I received my Inspire April Project Swap in the mail today! I'm so glad I did as it cheered me up greatly from the fact that I also received a letter saying that I didn't get the summer job I really wanted. [Not that I really expected to but oh well.]

The package even included a pin from the Los Angeles Philharmonic which brought back wonderful memories of going to watch them with my grandfather and my father when I was younger.

So thank you for cheering up my day Diana!

Country Girl City Life Blog Swap and Inspire April Project

So I sent out two swap packages today! 

The First was the-

My partner was "Smiley" from the Smiley Shack! 

Here's a sneak peek of the package!

The second swap was the-

My partner for this swap was Diana from Our City Lights!

Friday Favorites - #7

My Friday Favorites this week...

Favorite TV Show - In Treatment 

I have fallen in love with this award winning show. The writing, the acting, everything is beautifully put together. My favorite patient right now is April, maybe because she's so close to my age.

Favorite Post - Quilao Triplets - The Counting Queen

This video brightened my day and left me literally laughing out loud!

It was just too cute!

Swaps!

I've ben gathering all the last odds and ends of the final pieces of 2 swaps that are being sent this weekend..pictures to come.. and they have kept my mind busy. I'm so excited to see if my partners like what I got them! I also signed up for another swap today, the F-R-I-E-N-D-S swap which should be a bit different. The link to that one is on the left sidebar of my blog under swaps.

Music- Priscilla Ahn- Dream

This song has been getting me in such a good mood every time I listen to it.

I have one more all day child development class tomorrow [from 8am to 5:15pm] and then I will get to reclaim my weekends will for relaxing again!

Have a great weekend!

In My Next Life...

In my next life, I think I'd like to come back as a cat.

Happy Earth Day! and Thursday Thirteen #6

Happy Earth Day!

I have decided to post my Thursday Thirteen today instead of tomorrow and bring you

13 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

1. Reuse shopping bags

This is becoming easier and easier. Almost every store is selling reusable shopping bags these days for a mere 99 cents. It pays off! For those of you who forget them in the car, consider investing in a couple of the bags like these that are so tiny and light you can leave them in your purse. You can also reuse the bags they give you for free!

2. Cut your dryer sheets in half

You get double the loads of laundry done for the same amount of softening effect and half the waste.

3. Reclaim your mailbox

Every day our mailbox is filled with junk mail. The average adult gets 41 pounds of junk mail each year alone! Think of all the trees and all the space in landfills that could be saved [not to mention how much less work it is to have to sort through it] if we stopped receiving it. Sign up at 41Pounds.org here to do just that. They contact direct marketers for you and get rid of up to 95% of your junk mail. In 5 years you will have helped save 1.7 trees and 700 gallons of water!

4. Walk/carpool to school

If you live close enough walk and if not, carpool to work or school a couple of times a week. 

If that's not an option, instead of driving out to lunch, bring it from home or find someplace nearby that's within walking distance, invite a coworker to join you, you may just make a new friend!

5. Buy recycled

Many stores are now carrying products [such as paper, notebooks, etc.] that are recycled at the same price as the products made from new materials.

6. Reuse water bottles

Water bottles are quickly filling our landfills. After you finish drinking out of a water bottle, refill it. I have a Nalgene plastic water bottle I use everyday that I love. Take the pledge to at FilterForGood.com here.

7. Reuse food containers

The turkey we buy comes in Gladware tubs. Why throw them out when they can be used for storing leftovers in the fridge?

8. Share your wealth

My neighbors and I love Costco and go fairly often. When you're headed out to a store, mention it to a neighbor and see if you can save them a trip. Or if you're buying in bulk and get more then you need, ask if a friend or neighbor could use it.

9. Clean Green

Do you know what's in the product you're using to clean your house? Many "Green" cleaners are now available. If you're wanting to make you're own, 1 part vinegar and four parts water is a healthy household cleaner.

11. Donate

We all have clothes/things that we [or people in your family] don't use anymore. Instead of just throwing the stuff out, take it to your local donation spot. Many places you'll offer  a tax break for donating as well!

12. Buy used

Buying used helps eliminate incredible amounts of waste and saves money as well! Some of the best things I've found have been from thrift stores!

13. Eat your own

How much fun would it be to know that the fruits and vegetables you were eating came from your own backyard? I really hope to plant a row of grapes [and my mom wants a Meyers lemon tree].

I hope you take the time to appreciate the natural beauty around you and you enjoyed the celebration of this wonderful Earth today!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Remember that everyday is Earth Day!

Wordless Wednesday -#5

My Best Shot Monday - #5