The Joyous News!

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-14

Why did the angel say, “unto you”? He could have just said, “For a Savior, Christ, the Lord is born this day.” But he says, ‘Unto you!”

He uses those words because they describe why the news is so joyous! The child is born unto you! Unto all the people! The child is born:

* Not just to the rich and powerful,
* Not just to the Pharisees and Sadducees,
* Not just to the chief priests and the scribes,

But to you! To all the people, young and old, rich and poor, healthy and sick, strong and weak. The prophecy had said, “unto us a child is born.” So the angel says, “This child is born unto you! Truly, a good and great joy.

This is the joyous news, the great joy! Unto you has been born a Savior, the Messiah – the Lord! This is the day, the long-awaited day, the day when there would be no more delay. The child is born. The Messiah is come.

* Unto you – lost in sin, dead in rebellion, doomed to destruction;
* Unto you – mockers of God, violators of His Law, idolaters at heart;

This child Himself will be your peace. This child will be your entryway to God. This child will die to pay the penalty for your sins, if you only believe in Him, if you only see Him for what He is: Your Savior, your Messiah, your Lord, your treasure. Unto you is born this day a Savior.

H.O.P.E.

Hope, defined as;

...a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances one's life.
... the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
...a wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.

Hope in Afrikanns is hoop
Hope in Dutch is hopen
Hope in Finnish is toivoa
Hope in German is hoffe, Hoffnung, Hoffnung, hoffen, hoffen
Hope in Italian is sperare, speranza
Hope in Latin is spero, spes
Hope in Spanish is esperanza
No matter how you say it, it's still H.O.P.E.

• Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie

• Hope is passion for what is possible. Soren Kierkegaard

• Don't lose hope. When it gets darkest the starts come out. Unknown

• It is difficult to say what is impossilble, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. Robert H. Goddard

• Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all. Emily Dickinson

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:24

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25

Hope, without it, what is there?

HAPPY 11th!

Today is a special day.
Today is my baby boy's birthday.
Please help us celebrate over at "The Spore Family Blog."

See ya there!

Uber Amazing!!

Life was so hard this past weak...my hard drive crashed...I know there are many of you out there that can sympathize with me! I mean, what's a blogging, social networking SAHM to do without her blogging, Twitter, and everything else that goes with it?!?!?! Thank goodness my son was gracious enough to let me borrow his. Well, that's not quite how it happened, but in order to keep this a "family" blog, that's how it's going down!

I did receive some exciting, jump up and down, wave your hands in the air news while I was out of touch with my cyber-life... I was awarded my very FIRST bloggy award...thanks to Journey2Learn
I've always admired the awards I'd seen on other peoples blogs! Now I have one of my very own! <> So what is this award all about?!

This is a blog award given to a site that:

~ inspires you
~ makes you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~ a great read
~ has an amazing design
~ and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:

* Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Thanks again to Journey2Learn! Take a look at her amazing blog! Now I get to have some fun of my own! I nominate the following 5 blogs I think are Uber Amazing....

• Isabella A heart-warming story of a young family and their baby girl, Isabella who has Truncus Arteriosus and DiGeorge Syndrome.

• Never A Dull Moment Need some good reading with a touch of humor? You're sure to have a smile on your face after reading life from this ladies perspective!

• Classy Mommy Excellent baby product reviews with a portion given to charity!

• Good and Crazy People- Are MY kind of people!! Join Clarissa (co-hostess of GIRL'S NIGHT OUT #gno on Twitter!) An amazing way to connect with fellow twitterers and have great conversations. Last wk Clarisaa and Jyl led a virtual food drive, raising over $1,000 on Twitter. (You can still donate through November 21st! Click here!)

• The Daily Blonde- Just the sweet girl next door with a hint of sarcasm...
  

Life For A Child

Globally Type 1 diabetes is the MOST common form of diabetes in children, affecting around 500,000 under 15 years of age. Keep in mind however, that children of any age; teens, adolescents, toddlers, even babies can be struck by this life-long disease. My two boys are proof of that. If not detected early enough in a child, diabetes can be fatal! Yet diabetes in a child is often completely overlooked: it is often misdiagnosed as the flu or it is not diagnosed at all!

• Every DAY 200 more children develop Type 1 diabetes!
• Every YEAR, 70,000 children under the age of 15 develop Type 1 diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes is increasing in children at a rate of 3%/yearly
• Type 1 diabetes is increasing the fastest in preschool aged children, at a rate of 5%/yearly.
• Over half of children with diabetes develop complications within 15 years. That's only 5 more years for our son Ethan.

My heart aches not only for my own children, Ethan and Caleb, but for those children who aren't as fortunate. Diabetes is a deadly disease! NO child should die of diabetes, yet each year there are at least 4 million deaths from diabetes=related causes! Children, particularly in countries where there limited access to diabetes care and supplies, die at a very young age. Children just like Ethan and Caleb. Ethan has lived with diabetes for 10 years now and Caleb three.
We are SO thankful to live in a country where their diabetic supplies are accessible,costly, yet accessible, and their diabetes care is a short distance away. Others are not so fortunate.
Children in underdeveloped countries die quickly of high blood sugar levels through inaccurate diagnosis, lack of insulin or lack of expert care. In other countries, expert care is available, but resources are limited and so early and serious complications frequently lead to death in young adulthood.

• In Zambia, a child with Type 1 diabetes can expect to live an average of 11 years. Ethan has lived 10 years with diabetes.
• In Mali, the same child can expect to live for only 30 months, or 2.5 years.
• In Mozambique, the child is likely to die within ONE year.

Without your help these children have a very dim future. What can we do? What can you do to help save the life of a child? I've been waiting for you to ask! I'd like to introduce you to, "Life For A Child" hosted by The International Diabetes Foundation

"The International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program supports the care of close to 1100 children in over 18 countries worldwide. The program meets the children's immediate needs (insulin, syringes, monitoring and education), builds local capacity and lobbies governments to establish sustainable solutions."

One of the easiest way to support the health care of children in underdeveloped countries, is through a tax deductible donation to "Life For A Child." A dollar a day covers a child's care for a day. You can give once or on a regular basis, $1 or $50, your choice. Just click on the banner below and it will take you to the program's donation page. Just think, you could be saving the life of a child. What better present can you give yourself or in the honor of another?

Another opportunity to make a difference is by being an advocate for the future of children with Type 1 diabetes in developing countries through the "Life For A Child" program. This simply consists of finding 10 or more individual sponsors through your company, business, organization, etc. I will be hosting a sponsor drive on my blog in the next couple of weeks, so make sure and check back to see how you can help me personally reach this goal!

Do you have another way to help those less fortunate than yourself? Please feel free to leave a comment below and share with me.

Hypoglycemia

IF YOU HAVE LOW BLOOD SUGAR, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Check your blood sugar.
2. If less than 70 mg/d, eat 15 grams of fast acting carbohydrate.
   • If your glucose is under 55 mg/dl, double amount of carbohydrate.
3. WAIT 15 MINUTES, then recheck your blood glucose level.
   • If it's still under 70 mg/dL repeat number 2 above, and check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes.
4. Once your blood glucose is above 70 mg/dL, if your next meal is more than 15 minutes away, eat a carbohydrate snack.
5. Evaluate the possible cause of your low blood glucose.
   • Too little food or late meal?
   • Extra exercise?
   • Too much insulin?
     

PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT ALL PEOPLE WITH DIABETES ARE DIFFERENT. NOT EVERYONE WILL REACT THE SAME WAY!!!!! THESE ARE GENERAL SYMPTOMS AND PROCEDURES ONLY!

Off The Subject-Great Giveaway!

“Enter the Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza, sponsored by Moms United in Business LLC, http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com celebrating the launch of Resources for Work at Home Moms, http://resourcesforworkathomemoms.com! Come celebrate with us, and enter for your chance to win an awesome prize package, just in time for the holidays! Over $850.00 in prizes! You will NOT want to miss this! Enter at http://tinyurl.com/5b7hvm.”

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

Treatment

There is no cure for diabetes!!

Treatment for Type 1 diabetes involves juggling insulin intake, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and complications.

LEARN THESE SKILLS

Basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:

• How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• What to eat and when
• How to take insulin
  
• How to test and record blood sugars
• How to test urine for ketones (type 1 diabetes only)
• How to adjust insulin or food intake when changing exercise and eating habits
• How to handle sick days
• Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them

After you learn the basics of diabetes care, learn how the disease can cause long-term health problems and the best ways to prevent these problems. People with diabetes need to review and update their knowledge, because new research and improved ways to treat diabetes are constantly being developed.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Symptoms

---

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms above, please make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible and don't ignore the symptoms.

Check It Out

Since diabetes effects our entire family, I've posted "Ethan's Story; 10 years ago today" on our family blog. Please visit The Spore Family Blog to read how diabetes first touched our lives.

Day 3-Diabetes Myths

MYTHS ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES

Myth #1 You can catch diabetes from someone else.
Fact: No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu.

Myth #2 People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. There are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes.

Myth #3 Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Fact: No. Diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Myth #4 I'll know if I have diabetes because I'll feel sick.
Fact: One third of the 21 million people with diabetes don't know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels and other parts of your body.

Myth #5 Diabetes can be cured by a diet.
Fact: This is another huge misconception. No diet can cure diabetes. For that matter, diabetes cannot even be controlled with a diet. The most a diet can do is to keep the blood sugar level in a healthy state.

There are many misconceptions about diabetes. Education is ONE of the key elements in diabetes management. Our two boys did not ask for this disease! They didn't eat too many cookies or drink too much kool-aide to develop diabetes. A "miracle" diet, special herb or pill cannot cure them from diabetes. And you will not "catch" diabetes if they sneeze, cough, breathe, or bleed on you! Take time out today and learn something you didn't know about diabetes and comment back to us.

Day 2 What is Diabetes?

What is diabetes?
Let’s start with the body. Your body is made up of many parts. Each part works with the others to keep you healthy. Sometimes one part of your body may not work as well as it should. When this happens, you might not feel well. Do you know what part of your body makes INSULIN, to digest food? Your PANCREAS! When your pancreas stops making insulin, you have diabetes.

A healthy PANCREAS makes insulin, a hormone which helps the body break down and use sugar turning it into energy. Everyone needs energy to live, otherwise we'd be like a bump on a log, right? Sugar in the blood comes from the food and drink we eat. A person with type 1 diabetes doesn't produce any insulin. Without insulin, the sugar builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. Blood sugar levels that are too high and untreated for long periods of time can lead to ketoacidosis, a very serious condition. Very high blood sugars for an extended period of time can eventually lead to coma and even death. Now, the difference between you and my two boys, is that your healthy pancreas keeps a "perfect balance" between how much food you eat and how much insulin it puts out. The boys' pancreases have to have help. How do you think we help their pancreas? The only treatment to replace the missing insulin and help, is by injection. Caleb, our youngest, is currently taking four shots/day at breakfast, lunch, supper, and bedtime. Sometimes he has to take five shots a day. Since being diagnosed on May 31, 2005, Caleb has endured AT LEAST 5,000 shots! Anyone ready to trade places with him? Ethan, our middle son, was diagnosed 11/04/1998. He took shots for several years before he got an insulin pump. We will learn more about pumping in a future post! Right now, it's important to remember that: INSULIN IS NOT A CURE! Think of it as a band-aid covering a great big ouchy!

National Diabetes Awareness Month-November

October was Breast Cancer Awareness month on Lil' Bit This...Lil' Bit That. I shared the story of my new friend, Tisha, a 35 year old single mother fighting breast cancer. Please continue to check back for updates on Tisha and her fight against breast cancer. In the mean time, please continue promoting awareness of this deadly disease which takes millions of lives every year.

Beginning today, November 1st, my Lil' Bit This...Lil' Bit That...Blog will continue to raise awareness, but for a different life-threatening and deadly disease known as Diabetes. November is, National Diabetes Awareness Month. I could NOT let this go unnoticed as diabetes affects our family 365/24/7 x 2. That's right. Diabetes is an ongoing, without a break disease which TWO of our three children have been diagnosed with. Many, if not most, of my November posts will be dedicated to raising awareness, educating the uneducated, fund-raising, and honoring those close to me who are effected by diabetes. I think you will quickly understand my passion for promoting this disease and why it's so close to my heart.

DIABETES STATISTICS

1. There are two MAJOR types of diabetes; Type 1 & Type 2.
2. 7.8% of the 23.6 million people in the United States have diabetes.
3. More men (11.2%) then women (10.2%) are diagnosed with diabetes over the age of 20.
4. A total of 1.6 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people 20 years or older in 2007.
5. 186,300 CHILDREN, 19 and younger, have diabetes, either Type 1 or Type 2.
6. The risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without
7. Diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006.
8. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years.
9. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
10. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
11. 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild-severe forms of nervous system damage.
12. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
13. Estimated diabetes costs in the U.S. in 2007 was $174 BILLION!

If you didn't take time to read the statistics above, at least glance back through the bold faced words....approximately 18 million people currently have diabetes with 1.6 million NEW cases being diagnosed in 2007 alone. Blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and nervous system damage are just a few complications of diabetes along with a shorter life expectancy. And if that weren't enough, yearly medical expenses of people with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than those without the disease.

Diabetes has become an EPIDEMIC, plain and simple! The CDC's (Center for Disease Control) official definition of an epidemic is: "The occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time." Webster defines an epidemic as, "extremely prevalent; widespread." The high and rapidly increasing prevalence of the disease demands this description. What is your thought on this? Please take my poll on the right and comment below with your thoughts.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: In the next 24 hours, 2,700 some people will be diagnosed with diabetes.

Set The World On Fire

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you."
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

Tisha is not afraid, because she believes in
GOD & the power of PRAYER!
"Lord, WITH you, there is NOTHING I cannot do!"
What an amazing woman. Words don't explain how deeply blessed I feel to have found Tisha. Her abounding faith and selfless love for God have been an ongoing inspiration to me since our introduction. I can only pray that if I were to live through cancer or another life-changing event, I would be strong enough to inspire and encourage others as she has me.

Tisha, thank you! Your will to live and serve God, unconditionally, is a testimony to be shared with all! I truly feel that, God puts people in our lives to do his work and you are doing just that! Because of your faith, my own faith has bloomed and I feel a renewed joy for life. As Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I will never forget how you helped me feel inspired, encouraged, and hopeful again. You are God-sent, an angel of a woman, which I am honored to call, "friend."

SET THE WORLD ON FIRE

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

Makeover-Part 3

Good day! Welcome back for the third and final video of Real Life Church's home makeover for Tisha in Orlando. It is amazing how the Lord used these selfless people to bless Tisha and her kids during her fight with breast cancer. All they had to do was open their hearts to God's will and give of their time and talents. The Bible says, in 1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" Does God's love abide in you? Is there someone you know who needs God's love in their life? 1 Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." The people from Real Life Church who performed this makeover are living out that verse today. The Lord will truly bless each one of them. I can hear Him saying now, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21). Thank you RLC! You guys ROCK!

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

(Casting Crowns-"Who Am I?")
Join me tomorrow for the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Amazing Home Makeover

I was unable to post yesterday, so it's "two for the price of one" today! As many of you know, this is the last week of Breast Cancer Awareness month and I am paying tribute to an amazing lady I met through GodTube, Tisha Rambaransingh on my blog. I pray you are being blessed by her story as much as I have been. Today's journey begins with a surprise for Tisha and her children, Anthony and Angelina.

(Once again, turn music player down before viewing video)

The fun continues with Real Life Church & Tisha's home makeover.

Part 2

Make sure you tune back in tomorrow for the third and final video, where Tisha's house is revealed to her, the children, and of course all of you! God bless and remember, "Prayer is an open door, which none can shut."

And Yet There's More

Last post I introduced you to an amazing woman, Tisha Rambaransingh, a 35 yr. old single mother from Florida who is currently fighting breast cancer. I am certain God led me to her and her remarkable story of fighting breast cancer. I did not know Tisha at the time of my last post. However, I have now had the extreme privilege of speaking with her via the internet. I felt honored and never expected her to take the time to respond to a comment I left on her GodTube profile. We are now friends through Facebook and I look to her for inspiration each and every day.

I will be sharing a different video a day of Tisha and her fight to beat breast cancer. This will close out our last week of Breast Cancer Awareness month . It is unbelievable all she has been through, before the cancer and since diagnosis, yet one glance in her eyes and you can see the love she has for God, her children, and life itself. Watch now as her children, Anthony and Angelina, help their mother during her courageous fight against cancer.

(Please remember to turn the crazy music on the bottom of the page off first! :))

Please pray for my new found friend and her children, Anthony and Angelina.

Psalm 17:6
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Job 9:10
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

An Amazing Woman

I don't personally know the woman in this video, but what I do know is that she has the kind of faith that would move mountains! Her bible verse listed on GodTube is:

but when Jesus heard it, he said,
"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby."

John 11:4

Amazing! Simply amazing!
I pray you are as touched by her message as I was.
(turn off music player on bottom of page before starting video)

She is asking for OUR prayers as she fights this deadly disease.

Such a simple request...

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
Psalms 143:1

God bless you Tisha!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

20 more days until the end of October. Make sure you are clicking for Breast Cancer Awareness! Time is running out. I created a poster (above) of a few of my favorites in PINK! It's just one of my personal awareness projects for the month. I am tagging four more fellow bloggers to create their own "A Few Of My Favorite Things" poster. Remember,
"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth!"

Here are the rules…
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Make "A Few Of My Favorite Things" poster and post on your blog.
3. Tag four people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
3. Ask the people you tag to link back to your blog.

Consider yourself tagged!

1. Isabella's Mommy
2. Never A Dull Moment
   
3. Sarah's Studio
4. Green Duckies & Other Tales of Dana

Tag...You're It!

This tag comes from Megan at http://isabellagudde.blogspot.com/ (Thanks Megan!)
Here are the rules...

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog--some random, some weird.

3. Tag seven people (I only had five) at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

About Myself

1. I absolutely despise green beans!
2. At least twice a year I alphabetize our 100+DVD collection.
3. I was a K-8 Vocal Music Teacher for 10 years, but don't like to stand in front of an audience and sing alone.
4. I have full conversations with myself.
5. I cry in McDonald commercials.
6. I am married to my high school sweetheart.
7. I love the snow!
   

I am tagging YOU!!

1. Laurel http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/
2. Micah http://mjdeweesefamily.blogspot.com
3. Sarah http://ladygil.typepad.com/ladygilcom/
4. Renee http://www.myspecialks.com/2008/10/todays-day.html (Check out her Blogversary contest!)

Pink Is My Favorite Color...in October anyway!

There are many sites on-line dedicated to Breast Cancer awareness, research, funding, and so on. One of the ways I chose to help support and bring awareness through the Internet was by joining a virtual walk. Go to www.galtogalwalk.org, register, create your own walker, and join my team, "The Terrific Tatas Tour" today! Remember working together we can accomplish so much more!

Here are some links to companies that are donating a portion of their proceeds to help fight breast cancer!
Glow Mama
Lean Cuisine and Carry for the Cause
MK Ash Charitable Foundation
Ford Care: Warriors in Pink
The Pampered Chef's Help Whip Cancer
Energizer Batteries
Uptown Liz
Build-A-Bear
Dish Network
Candle For A Cause

Check out these other websites as well. They are well worth your time!

In closing please keep in mind:

• Every 2 minutes, there is a new breast cancer diagnosis.
• Every 14 minutes, a life is lost to the disease.
• Over 40,000 people will die this year; about 400 of them will be men.
• 85% of all diagnoses have no family history.
• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55.

Going...going..gone!!!

I did it! I turned pink for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Keep an eye on my blog through out the month for special Breast Cancer Awareness blogs,tributes and PINK awareness activities.

Today my blog is dedicated to all the special women in my life. My grandmother, Ruby Louise, who was a breast cancer survivor and was fortunate enough to live to the ripe old age of 94. I miss you Grandma. You'll always be in my heart. My mother, whom I am truly blessed to still have with me. She is an unbelievable lady and continues to inspire me with each passing day! Love ya mama. My three older (He!He!He!) sisters; Paula, Pam, and Patti. Thank you for always being there with open arms. My nieces, Kristina, Terri Dawn, Cassa Lynn, and Brianna. I am proud of each one of you in so many ways! You're the sparkle in my eye and the laughter in my soul. My niece by marriage, Mattisa, thank you for making my nephew the happiest man on earth. I can not love you enough for that. My great nieces, Kierah and Ainsley, I can't wait to see the beautiful young ladies you will blossom into. Enjoy your youth while you can and always remember I love you! My sister-in-law, Cheryl, who has "been there, done that" through it all with me. Love ya! My mother-in-law, Barbara, thank you for the gift of your son, the love of my life and daddy to my boys. My Grandma-in-laws, Gee-gee and Boom-Boom, thank you for all the love, support, and prayers. You two are jewels. To all my cousins and aunts, as George Burns said, "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city!" Ha! Seriously, here's to fun times, late nights, and laughing until we cried! To my few special friends; you are the salt and pepper of my life, the butter on my bread, the bounce in my step, the...what I'm trying to say is, thank you for your unconditional love and support, putting up with my "moods," and making me a priority in your life. To all the church ladies, teachers, and other women I know and love in Oswego and elsewhere, "cheers!" Lastly, to my new found friends on twittermoms and other social networks, I look forward to building lasting relationships with you as well! I've created a special "glog" on Glogster that I am having trouble embedding in my blog. Please click here and see my first of many tributes to some of the women in my life.

You can show your support and awareness too! Go PINK on your blog or website, post ribbons, buttons, or blog about Breast Cancer Awareness. Another way to help raise funds and awareness is to participate in the Annual Virtual Walk with Design-her-Gals. Here is the information:

Join the 2nd Annual Virtual Walk - Raising Funds for Stage IV Breast Cancer Patients! Go to www.galtogalwalk.org to register and join thousands of Walkers supporting Stage IV breast cancer. Check the Walk every day to see your Walker in a new city. Design YOUR Gal and watch her walk with her favorite celebrities and friends!

I designed my gal and entered the walk over the wkend. Come join my team, "The Terrific Tata Tour!" It's for a good cause, not to mention virtually fun! Go to the link above, click on "Search For Friends." It will ask you to either search by name, city, or team name. Enter the info and my Gal will pop up to greet you! Remember, together we can all make a difference!

TeAcHeR 4 hIrE!!!

For the past 10 years, I've been a teacher...a Preschool Teacher, Piano Teacher, and K-8 Vocal Music Teacher, of course not all at the same time. I have a degree in Elementary Ed. (K-9), but have never had the opportunity to teach in a regular ed. classroom. At the end of last year, after many sleepless nights, turmoil, and indecisiveness, I made my mind up to quit. It was one of the scariest and hardest decisions I've made in my life, but it was time. Time to be a stay-at-home mom before my boys flew the coop! (There were also some "other" issues going on that I can't really discuss here, but feel free to e-mail me and I'll give you an ear full!! hehehe!)
I made sure and had my future aalllll planned out before turning in my resignation. I'd substitute teach for at least 10 days out of the month and take on eight piano students. That would help supplement what we needed to survive financially. Then...reality hit like a flyswatter hitting a pesky fly in the middle of summer. I've subbed two days since school started and have only three piano students. So, now I am on to Plan "B", that is if there WERE a plan "B." ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE A PLAN "B" FOR LIL OLE ME???? O yes...I should probably tell you:

1. I need/want something part-time
2. I am currently taking 9 hrs. towards my Master's in Tech. Education
   
3. I live in a very small town of only 2000 people SO... resources are limited. However, there are "bigger" cities within a 20-40 mile range of us.

I am asking, actually BEGGING, to hear the world's ideas, suggestions, and comforting words (just kidding) on my situation. Please leave a comment.

All In A Name...

So, my parents had this crazy idea to name me "Penny." No there is not an "e" before "y" like the department store and unfortunately I can't even say I was named after anyone...well, except for maybe a "Soap Opera Star!" Now, THAT is something to be proud of! According to the "Official Baby Name Book,"

"Penny" is a diminutive form of "Penelope" The meaning of the name Penny is: "With A Web Over Her Face."

You have to stop and wonder, was I THAT ugly?? I mean, seriously, who would've named their child, "Penny" after knowing that? (I guess we know the answer to that one.) However, I was still curious so did a little researching for myself. Did you know...

"Name Analysis" is a very accurate, specific, ancient, scientific system that can be traced back over 6,000 years when it was used solely the by the royal families of China, the Hebrew countries and Egypt. Royalty wanted to ensure their babies were given positive names that would benefit them through out their life. That's right, your name predestined you to either a full, pleasing life OR a rotten, no-good, horrible, very bad life! (Guess I should've thrown in the towel years ago!)

This idea kept surfacing through out much of my research. "Names and Personality-the idea that names can affect the way people behave and how they feel about themselves. The most important aspect of personality affected by names is self-concept." (Keep reading, it gets better!!!) The article continued with, "It may well be that peculiar names, which are likely to cause other children to poke fun, are actually unconscious messages from the parents that the children are peculiar and deserving of ridicule! Ha! Ha! Ha! Deserving... ha... of ridicule..ha!

It's all my parents fault! Everything "bad" that has happened in my life and the way I feel about myself is ALL because my parents gave me the name, PENNY! They had me so they could ridicule me! Of course, it's all coming together now! Why didn't I think of that? I mean, it couldn't be that I set my own path to destruction during my teen years... or now that I am an adult I am responsible for my own actions. NO! It's all because of my name! Case solved!

__________TIME PASSING________________TIME STILL PASSING______________

Are you kidding me?????? Yea, ok.. so.. welcome to my blog... the blog of a very insecure, peculiar, mental person, whose name is "Penny."