Weekend Fun...Don't Get Jealous!

I don't know why I was so excited about car shopping...that shit is exhausting. But I did manage to get a slight tan out of it. We have narrowed our search down to the car we want, we just need to find one in our price range with good mileage and the extras we want. So really, we've made no progress. Oh, and we managed to only cuss out one dealership. Record for us!

I babysat LD tonight. His mom's birthday was today so she asked me to watch him while they went to dinner. I was supposed to watch him from 3-9, but ended up staying there til 10:30. Boo. He was fussy all night and kept crying for his mom, which made for a terribly exciting evening.

Her baby shower was on Saturday. And despite everyone's efforts to keep me entertained so I wouldn't have to go, I did nothing that evening. Mr. H and I looked at cars til about 6, then went home looked at more cars on the net, then went to the bookstore to browse around. What ever happened to going out to have drinks?

When I got to LD's house, there were bags of baby stuff everywhere. She even called me into her room to look at her new bassinet. Hold on to your seats, the excitement continues! I saw onesies, a baby carrier, a doggie hamper, nipples, bottles, nipple brushes, a swaddler, socks, towels, bibs all in shades of boy.

Speaking of boys...I found this little guy hanging out by the boys' fountain the other day. So tough, yet harmless. As soon as I saw him, I thought of Cooper and Brayden- Mrs. Muelly's boys. Bugs, spiders and insects remind her of them too.

On a brighter note, it is raining here. It hasn't rained in a few weeks, so I'm pretty excited. It is thundering, lightning, and the wind is howling. I love when it rains. I just want to lay in bed, open the windows and fall asleep. I just may do that...Good night.

What did y'all do this weekend?

Psst...

We're going car shopping!

* * *
Also, if you'd like to contribute to the Survivor Project: A Breast Cancer Survivor Scrapbook, for my grandmother, click the link above. I'd be more than honored to include you. Please say you'll help.

May It Be Peaceful

Wishing my special friend, Kristi, a peaceful birthday as she is missing her sweet daughter Sara. If I could wipe away your tears and make everything better, I would. Sara, we miss you.

Sara Elizabeth

October 2, 2006

The Survivor Project- Please Say You'll Contribute!

I have decided I am making my grandmother a "Survivor" scrapbook.

One of the ideas I had was to have YOU -my fellow blog buddies- contribute to the book. I have been so touched by the kind words left on this blog in the comment section for my grandma. The prayers, the good thoughts, the crossing of fingers, lighting of candles, chanting, etc. that has been done on behalf of my her.

I am going to try to capture her journey through cancer, from her diagnosis and into survivor-dom. I want to do a page of good thoughts and inspiring words. On the last page there will be an envelope in which it will be stuffed with cards, notes, pictures, whatever you want to send. Can you picture it?

Please say you'll help me and contribute to this book. It'll cost you as little as 42 cents and a moment of your time. But the reward will be so much richer.

**All you have to do is mail me a letter, a card, a colored picture, a sentence, a photo, whatever you want....wishing her well, offering her words of encouragement, letting her know that you care and support her. I know this would mean so much to her. Heck, it would mean so much to me! **

EMAIL ME if you're interested in being a contributor to the Survivor Project (catchy, huh?) I'll email you my address and you can send me your contribution. If you wish to remain anonymous, at least include in the card or letter, where you are sending your thoughts from. I know she'd be so touched to know that her story has inspired so many people from all over the place. If you'd like to help, I do ask that you send in your "envelope of hope" within the next two weeks, so I can get started.

Any contribution will be greatly appreciated. Please don't feel that you have to write a story in order for your words to count (although if you want to write a novel, go ahead). A few words- "Good job kicking cancer's ass!", "Keep the hope!" whatever you feel in your heart will be more than enough... And if you're one of those people that thinks your vote doesn't count- guess again. I need you all for this to be successful.

I promise if you'll help, I'll be your BFF! If there's anything you need ME to do for you, just ask. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's all complete!

Thank you in advance for your generosity,
MonicaETA: I've had a couple people email me to ask me about my grandmother's name. Her name is Diana. Thank you!

Stillbirth Awareness And Research Act

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let's help pass H.R. 5979.

Action Steps:

Step 1. Use Your Blog to Enlist Others-Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.

GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word

Step 2. Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others-E-mail 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.

GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.

Step 3. Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act-By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: "Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act."

GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.