Public Service Announcement

**This is a shameless plug for my good friend (aka Miracle Worker), Dawn, & her Acupuncture Business.




Ladies, this one's for you...

When you think of "that time of the month", do you think white jeans & sundresses?  Do you think about skipping thru a field of daisies or riding your bike along the boardwalk in short shorts?  OR do you have mood swings so severe that your husband can pick out the time your period will start within the hour?  Does your abdomen cramp so bad you have to lie in the fetal position just to get a sense of relief?

That second scenario has been me--and getting worse--since I had my Bubba Boy, just over 4 years ago.  Here's a picture representation for those of you who like the visual...

Yep.  Every single month.

But.......my friend Dawn told me about acupuncture.  She told me she could help me.  Seriously, my other option was having my GYN put me under anesthesia & burn out the inner lining of my uterus if I wanted to try to make this go away.  I decided it was worth a shot.

Dawn told me that these treatments take time.  This isn't voodoo or something that will happen over night.  This is a process that will require continued treatment before we can move to a maintenance phase, but with the right treatments, my body can heal itself & start to correct the problems without a O.R. procedure.  Y'all know how I feel about the O.R...acupuncture, here I come....

I was a little leery...I mean, I don't know anything about this needle method of medicine.  I'm not overly frightened of needles--I've seen my fair share in the past 6 years, for sure.  But I'm also not fond of just getting poked to be poked.  A little education & an open mind was all it took & I tell you I will never go back.  Scroll back up to see that visual of my uterus before...

After just my first 3 treatments, my husband didn't even believe me when I told him my period had started.  Where was the PMS?  What about the crazy mood swings?  Yes, my first period post acupuncture...

So, whether you are dealing with a massacre in your uterus, a pain that can't be relieved or just overwhelming stress in your life, please contact Dawn.  She will take VERY good care of you.  And I promise, you won't be sorry!

Play Date

This weekend, I took my honey out for a play date with his best boyfriend.  The boys playfully refer to each other as Night Hawk & Dragon from their shared favorite movie, Step Brothers.

We met up for our evening at the adult Chuck E. Cheese (aka Dave & Buster's)--where I'm sure Night Hawk & Dragon would have loved to go together!  After a nice adult dinner, we took off to the play room.

The boys started out playing nicely together.  (Look at that...who doesn't feel safer already knowing these two are defending your freedom?)

But, later I had to get involved & teach the boys how to use their words.

In the end, everyone had a great time.

As all parents know, the test of a good play date is how worn out is everyone?  Ours was a success as my honey went straight to bed with no arguments & even let me sleep in on Saturday morning.

Friends

This is my son's new favorite song.  I think it's completely adorable because his favorite part is when he says "You're not just a cup...you're my friend."

Today while we were sitting in the car waiting on Daddy & the girls, I was flipping through the radio stations.  Bubba would say "No, not that one Momma.  Keep going.  I'll tell you when to stop."  I went through all the stations numerous times & finally said, "What do you want to hear?"  He says, "You know!  That one *you're not a cup, you're my friend* one!"  Sorry, little man.  I don't have control over the radio stations.  But when it came on later at home, I had a great little dance with my boy--singing away!

Red Solo Cup!  I fill you up!  Let's have a party!!  Let's have a party!!

THAT Mom...

You know who I'm talking about.  Whether you're an educator or a parent, you know *those* parents that you watch & think silently that you'll NEVER become like her/him.  My first full year of teaching in my own classroom was a private Pre-K/Kindergarten in Ann Arbor, MI.  The parents of the children in my class were well-to-do, let's just say.  We had parents who did everything for their children and they were 5/6 years old.  I had a child who couldn't put his own coat on, much less zip it.  I was newly married, but not yet a parent.  I made a mental note to enable my children to develop their independence early in their life--age appropriately, of course.  I didn't want to be THAT Mom that the teachers couldn't believe did EVERYTHING for her child.

My next job was teaching 3rd grade in Highland Park, MI.  Ahhh, memories of those days came flooding back when I ran across pictures I took of the classroom conditions just the other day.  This experience exposed me to the other end of the parent-I-don't-want-to-be spectrum.  At the end of the year, there were parents you didn't want to have to deal with next year--you know, because she was THAT mom.  In 'Da Park, the moms you don't want their child in your classroom are those who the teacher last year had to get a restraining order against.  Note to self--don't get so worked up over child that law enforcement is involved.

Then I came to Maryland.  I taught here for a short time before I came home full time.  And now both girls attend the elementary school where I was once employed.  I know many of the faces still & remain friends with a handful of the teachers from their school.  I am very restrained now that I am on the other side of the fence.  I know, firsthand, how teachers are many times the first to be blamed for behavior & even grades.  Fortunately my girls are well behaved (in public) and are doing very well with their school work (both girls brought home all As & Os---1st grade gives Outstanding, which is equivalent to an A--just yesterday.)  But I know teachers aren't paid nearly enough for the work they put into teaching our children, the extra committees they are required to sit in on OR for the often-times bullsh*t parents throw in their faces.  Many times the teachers are parents too & can be forced to leave their child & love of their life home when the child is sick while they drag their concerned butt to school to teach OUR children.  It's an interesting place, being on the other side of the fence.  I work really hard at not being THAT Mom.

But here's the thing.  Sometimes you just gotta be.  Sometimes the Momma Bear comes out & you have to stand up for your kid.  In a most recent incident, the situation didn't even involve a teacher, but rather a parent volunteer.  I know, however, that my name will be thrown around as THAT Mom who threw a hissy about her kid over a PTA contest.  I'm cool with that.  Because the fact is, in the end, I was right & the volunteer wronged my baby bear.

Yes--to my teacher friends reading this now--tomorrow I will be THAT Mom who is making the homemade coffee cakes for your teacher appreciation breakfast.  And if I walk into the school to deliver them & receive some stares about this recent chain of events, I will smile proudly back.  I guess you get the reputation you create for yourself, but if this means I'll now be THAT Mom at the girls' school, I say BRING IT!

Just a Normal Sunday Evening Text Conversation....

Sun, Jan 15 9:01pm  Did you kill your husband?  He is MIA.

Sun, Jan 15 9:02pm  No, he's sitting right here doing our budget.  He's alive & well.  Would you like him to call you?

Sun, Jan 15 9:03pm No...I just know, someday you are going to kill him.

Fluency

I am just not sure if there's a better description of me...

English:  I can't even understand when someone talks *tech* talk to me about my computer or when I listen to my husband's ceremonial band tape recording!  English people--simple English!

Sarcasm:  Yeah, well...I can't help it if it's my defense mechanism against stupidity!

Profanity:  Unfortunately I can't deny this one either.  Hubby says I have a potty mouth & frequently scowls when I let *adult* words slip in front of the children.  Oops. 

Happy Birthday!

In honor of Muhammad Ali's 70th Birthday today, I thought I'd share a few quotes from the fearless athlete.




It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.
Muhammad Ali

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

Muhammad Ali

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."
Muhammad Ali

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.
Muhammad Ali

Hmmm...

Saw this as I was browsing around on Facebook last week...

It really made me think.  In fact, I listened to a business training around that same time & wrote down a few of the things she said about the new year...

"This year is gonna come & it's gonna go.  Some people are gonna die.  Some people will give birth.  The only way it'll be different than last year is if you attack it differently."--Dani Johnson

So, it's something to consider as we're already half way through January 2012.  Are you happy with how 2011 turned out?  Did you accomplish all those New Years Resolutions you put out there last year?  And if not, how will you make this year different?

Motivation

There's nothing that will keep you motivated to keep going like a running partner!

Momma & Josie after a run outside.

Time of Day?

Last night I began a new health journey with a friend that I have grown to respect & admire so deeply.  I am extremely excited about the weeks & months to come working with her...yes, there will be more details on this as we move forward.  As we got started yesterday, she asked me the question, "What is your favorite time of the day?"  I immediately started "walking" through a typical day in my head.   We all know I DO NOT like the morning, so that's out of the question--in addition to my allergy to that time of day, it's crazy madness getting everyone dressed, fed, lunches packed, teeth brushed, hair tamed...UGH.  Nope, not mornings.

Afternoon?  I do really enjoy that moment after school when the kids first get home after not seeing them for a few hours.  Jamison only attends preschool 2 mornings a week for 3 hours.  But when he gets home, he's full of energy, hugs & stories (especially about what they had for snack that day).  It melts my heart to sit at the lunch table with him & hear about all the things that delight a 4 yr old.  My girls typically want to just veg out when they get off the bus, but don't mind a little cuddle with me from time to time.  And that's a great feeling.   There's also that moment Joel walks in the door.  One thing I adore about my husband is his ability to leave work at work.  And I honestly can't recall a time that he's walked in the door upset, grouchy & irritated over something from work.  Ninety nine percent of the time, he opens the door, smiles and says "Hey there Beautiful!"  Yep, I like that time of the day too....BUT, it's also combined with the hustle & bustle of homework, signing folders, reading through papers, writing checks for this or that or something else, unpacking lunch boxes....

Evenings are hit & miss around here.  One week we're hit with an activity or meeting or appointment EVERY night.  The next week, we're pretty open & free.  I keep the evenings flowing by organizing our dinner menu based on what we have planned for that night.  We make every effort to sit down at the kitchen table as a family for our dinner & 6 out of 7 nights a week this works for us. We say grace, teach the children appropriate manners, and all share our favorite part of the day.  This is a cherished time for our family & a routine I know my children will be grateful for as they grow older.  BUT, with a nice home cooked dinner comes the clean up, the dishes, the showers/baths, the brushing of teeth, the reading for school, getting lunches ready for tomorrow, clothes laid out so there's no fighting in the morning....

And then there's the later evening...when the children are all asleep, tucked soundly in their beds.  I have finished work stuff in my office.  Everything is set for the next morning.  Joel is finally caught up on all his Words With Friends games.  And we crawl into our bed.  THIS is my favorite time of the day.  We spend about an hour watching TV--catching up on shows from earlier in the week or just watching mind-numbing trash TV.  We talk about all the things from our day that aren't appropriate to discuss in front of the children.  Sometimes I read while he plays on the computer.  Whatever is happening, we're winding down together.  It's relaxing & quiet.  And it's my most favorite time of the day.

There was a time in our marriage when we never went to bed at the same time--either I was in bed first because he had a late evening gig or he was in bed first because I had a late evening appointment on the phone in my office.  After a few questions last night, we did some health exam things & my friend--who has known me since my days of teaching 3rd grade in "The Park"--made note that I am very relaxed considering everything I've been through.  I told her that I am.  I used to be a very tense & anxious person, very full of stress.  And when I joked with her that now I just don't give a sh*t, I just mean that my priorities have changed.  I have prioritized my worries & stress to the sh*t that DOES matter & not the things that don't.

Forrest Gump was in the theater the year we met.  Joel was the first person who called me Jenny & got away with it.  

They say that opposites attract.  Class Clown meets Stress Case is how our love story began. Sixteen 1/2 years later, we have leveled each other out & my favorite time of the day is the few minutes with my man before we go to sleep--thankful for all we've created together.

Yep.

A dear friend told me a couple months ago that I am the biggest smart ass he knows.  

I totally took that as a compliment.

Under Construction!

Last night I was having a conversation with the hubby about all the "new" in 2012.  I am so excited about new projects & a new me!  I have a first time meeting tonight with a group called SOS--Survivors Offering Support.  It's local & I am thrilled to begin this new chapter of my life.  Tomorrow I start a new health journey with a dear friend from our "Michigan family"--more details to come on that.  And I've just returned from my first run of the week in training for my upcoming races (day 5 of running in the new year). 

If only my January 10, 2011 self could see my January 10, 2012 self!   So, when I saw the following picture on one of my new favorite fan pages (I <3 to run), I had to share.  'Nuf said....

Dreams

I obviously wrote this BEFORE the Christmas holiday, but with the hustle & bustle of the season I didn't post it.  I ran across it yesterday as I was getting back on my blogging wagon & decided to go ahead & put it out there without modifying it.  You'll get the point whether it's a tad belated or not.  The message is to dream big--put it out there & go for it!  

Thanksgiving was a wonderful weekend at our house--family from across the way came to visit, friends stopped by to share some yummy foods & laughter, Black Friday Deals!!!!!!!  The whole weekend was full of wonderful memories.

But, Friday afternoon there was a conversation that I can't get out of my mind. While listening to a dear friend talk about how unhappy she is in her current job & her difficulty finding a different job in the local area, another friend asked her a question that made my heart swell--she said "If money was not an issue, what would be your dream job?  What would you do if you could quit what you're doing now & money didn't matter?  What would make you happy?"  The unhappy friend got a smile on her face & her eyes sparkled when she explained what she would love to do if time & money (aka paying her mortgage) were not an issue.  I got goosebumps listening to her talk about it.

I don't know if it will ever be possible for this friend to live out her dream & do what she would do if money weren't an issue because we all know the bills have to be paid.  I do hope, with all my heart, that she finds a new position soon--something that will bring her peace & happiness in the new year because she is just too good of a person to be miserable.  But I also know that just having someone in your life who believes in dreams & the possibility of them can make your whole world seem brighter.

These two ladies know who you are--over the course of the afternoon we all spoke of bigger, better things coming in the new year.  We shared dreams in our professional lives & all sorts of "what ifs".  And we encouraged each other to do what our heart is leading us to do...even if it doesn't seem the most logical necessarily.  I cherish that friendship & that encouraging conversation so deeply.

In the coming weeks, as you decide what your 2012 New Years Resolutions will be, consider dreaming beyond the obvious & take a leap of faith in the new year to bring a smile to your heart.  And, please be that friend who believes in those in your life who have these big heart pulling dreams.

It's a NEW YEAR!

Well, I'm 5 days into the new year & I figured it was time to get back on the blogging wagon!  Just wanted to provide an update for those who might still be "staying tuned" to my new cancer fighting adventures for 2012.  I put my walking shoes away & retired as a 3 Day walker....for now.  I'm not saying I'll never walk again, but  it's not on my radar.  I have some incredible memories that will live in my heart forever because of my 4 year experience.

BUT......my new thing is the running.  As you may, or may not know, I began training with a group last spring called Cancer to 5K.  WOW.  Feel free to go back in my archives to read about that experience.  I trained with the group for 2 seasons, completed my first ever 5Ks in June & then October, gained new friends & learned A.LOT. about myself!  SO.......this year I have joined Team Fight.

What's Team Fight?

TEAM FIGHT, a program of The Ulman Cancer Fund,  is a motivated group of great people of all ages and abilities training to support young adults and their loved ones affected by cancer.

Why We FIGHT

• We FIGHT because there are over 70,000 young adults diagnosed with cancer each year.
• We FIGHT because survival rates have NOT increased for young adults in over 35 years.
• We FIGHT because we want to raise awareness.
• We FIGHT because we care and want to make a difference.

Joel & I were first introduced to the Ulman Cancer Fund back in the spring of 2009 when I won tickets to their annual silent auction fundraiser & got to meet Vern Yip. 

Me & Vern

Joel checking out the goods at the Silent Auction

The Ulman Cancer Fund also funds the Cancer to 5K program, which now holds a very special place in my life. I have joined Team Fight to challenge myself a bit further this year.  What's better than a CHALLENGE?!?!  And...well...I set the bar high.  I'm a tad nervous, but if you recall my feelings just after registering to join the CT5K team & then look at the outcome, I know it will all be Just. Fine. 

I am registered to race in June's Survivor Harbor 7--yep, that's 7 miles.  And yep, I've never run more than a 5K at one time...but in March 2011 I couldn't run more than 1 minute without feeling like my lungs were about to explode.  This is about pushing myself out of my comfort zone, right?  Eh...ask me about this in about April...

I have also done something I really hope doesn't embarrass me in the end--my name is on the list to run in the Baltimore Running Festival's Half Marathon in October.  Yes...you read that right.  Yes, that's A. LOT. of miles for the girl who can barely get thru a 5K.  

So, I know you're on pins & needles here.  This year I don't need to raise $2300 to walk 60 miles.  Instead, I'm running--not quite 60 miles, but enough to scare me a little.  The fundraising for Team Fight is minimal but goes to the Ulman Cancer Fund which in turn funds things like the CT5K program for young adult cancer survivors.  How can you help?  First of all, keep me in your thoughts & prayers as I train. I have already been running (today is Day 2 on my training schedule for the new year) to build up to my first hurdle of 7 miles in June.  If running in 29 degree temps with blustery winds is any indication of my dedication to making this happen, I think I'll be OK!  But you can also go to my personal Team Fight fundraising page to help with a small donation as well.  Every little bit helps, so please help me support this incredible organization while I also embrace the new changes in my life.  

At 12:01am, January 1, 2012, I kissed my honey & declared that this was going to be our best year yet.  We acknowledged that this is the first year we're starting without hospital visits already on the books since 2005.  The past is what it is.  It can't be changed.  It makes us who we are.  And I'm so excited to be who I am & see all there is ahead!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!