Thursday, December 13, 2012

Paying it forward Jayden Style

Living in the state of Michigan over the last several years, it feels like the only things that come out of this state are negative. But the life and sadly, death of little Jayden Lamb has changed that.  If you have not heard the story, Jayden was an 8 year old boy that had been fighting cancer for the last 2+ years.  While I never had the chance to know of him, it seems that he was always interested in helping out others. 

The inspiration that this young man has given to his and surrounding communities is quite amazing. As of this morning, 27,209 people have liked the facebook page, Keep On Truckin’ Team Jayden.  People are constantly sharing how they have paid it forward, or been on the receiving end of it.  It is such a wonderful thing.

Yesterday would have been little Jayden’s birthday, and while I was not able to be a part of the birthday party, it seems that there was an amazing turn out to celebrate the life of this year old boy that has touched the life of so many.

This morning,.  I was running a little late for work, but I needed to stop and get my Coke. So, I stopped at McDonalds in my home town of Shepherd.  And, when I pulled up to my window, I asked how much the car behind me’s bill was.  It was $5, so I paid for it, it wasn’t that I had planned it, but it just seemed to be the thing to do.  So, I pulled up to the window to get my Coke, but the car behind me didn’t pull forward, which was strange because there bill had already been paid for.  So, I asked the person in the drive thru what was taking that car so long, she said that they were paying for the car behind them.

Now, I paid $5, which made my day, and hopefully the day of the people behind me, and then they did the same!  I don’t know if it stopped there, or if it continued, what I hope is that someone that really needed it, gets a little extra based on my decision.
 
It isn’t much, but the feeling that I have is much better than the money that I spent!

I’m honored to be able to say that I paid it forward Jayden Style!

Friday, October 12, 2012

The view from where I sit…

When it comes to politics, I have a love/hate relationship.  I love to read articles, watch debates and listen to the candidates make fools of themselves.  But my list of dislikes gets a little longer.  I don’t like that the political parties make it seem like we are so far apart from each other.  In this life, there are very few issues that are black or white. Most things fall somewhere in between, just like voters.

My bottom line when it comes to politics is that we are all American, and we all want our country to be successful. We have different ideas about how to get there, but that doesn’t mean that we love our country any less than the next person.

And, we are ALL smart enough to realize that neither side is able to give a straight answer about anything. Every issue has become so politicized that candidates are afraid to say how they actually believe.

Here’s the deal, no one wants our troops to die at war. No one wants babies to be aborted. No one wants to pass a debt on to the next generations…

I am not for a moment trying to say that I don’t have a preference in this. I am just saying, let’s put the bs aside and talk about the issues at hand!
 
*Sidenote…my vote can be bought by any candidate regardless of party that starts talking about putting some infrastructure into the state of Michigan so that we have comprehensive public transportation. J

Monday, October 1, 2012

Fall


It is fall, my favorite season of the year. I love the changing of leave colors, high school football games, and the smells.

It is time to cuddle up, give thanks, and prepare for the coming winter.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

A strong woman works out every day...but a woman of strength kneels to pray, keeping her soul in shape.
A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...yet a woman of strength gives her best to everyone.
A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same for tomorrow...a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes, thanking God for the blessings as she capitalizes on them.
A strong woman walks headfirst with no doubt in her mind...but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.
A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face...but a woman of strength wears grace.
A strong woman has faith that for the journey she'll have enough...but a woman of strength knows it's in the journey she will become strong.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

 
It has been a while, but today is a day of reflection. On those lives that have been lost, but also the loved ones of the victims.  9/11 was a horrible event, and even though it has been 11 years, I can still remember it as if were yesterday.
 
In 2001, I was attending my accounting class at CMU. Class was let out early, and as I went to study for my next class, other students kept saying that class had been canceled.  Anyone that has been to Central knows that they do NOT cancel class.  I walked to the UC on my way back to my dorm. There was a crowd of people standing around watching the television.  We all just stood, in silence watching something happen, though we had no idea what it was, or the effect that it would have on our nation.
 
In the days after, the country came together in unity and pride. Since then those things have changed to fear and hate. But it doesn't take away from the sediment that we all felt.
 
We will never be the same. We will never forget! 


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Relay for Life

For those of you that have never experienced an American Cancer Society Relay for Life, you should!  It is a life changing 24 hours.  It is a time to celebrate and support the lives of survivors, remember those that have lost their fight, and fight back against cancer.

 This year, for the first time I was a part of the Gratiot County Relay Committee, as well as being a co-captain for Team SOAR.
This is myself, my niece Theresa, and my mom. My "baby" sister was not there, like she normally is, but it was great to have Theresa there to take part in the celebration of life with us.  It was a rainy day, and we were moved inside, but we still had a great turnout.

Unfortunately, this is the first year that we had to Relay without our Beloved Casee.  I didn't have the strength to make her a luminary bag, but while I was walking I had the inspiration to paint a piggy in honor of Casee.

Friday, August 10, 2012

This is the luminary bag that I made this year for my mom. I unfortunately just don't have the heart to make them for anyone else. With Casee gone, it has taken some of the wind out of my sails about relay. It is not that I believe less, the pain and anger is just too fresh.

Regardless of that, I cannot let myself forget that my mom is still here. She IS a survivor, which is what we celebrate!

Relay starts in just a couple of hours and the forecast is for rain, rain, and some more rain! But that will not stop us! 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

It has been a few since I have posted. There have been a couple changes in life. Casee has unfortunately left us. There was no way to prepare myself for the loss of someone so wonderful.

I have been to several funerals in life, but this was by far the hardest one. She died just as she wanted to, at her parents' house surrounded by family. She died with strength and courage and continues to inspire. She is missed greatly already. 

There was a balloon ceremony after the funeral, it was an amazing visual expression of the caring that everyone has for Casee and her family.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

This is a picture at the surprise 40th birthday party that we had for Casee last year at the Amish dinner in Clare. 

Today, we lost Casee to cancer. It is hard to believe that someone with so much life could be taken away at such an early age.

She will be missed greatly by anyone that had the honor of getting to know her.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

I got a new app for my phone. It is called Strike Finder. It is used to take pictures of lightning and fireworks. I got some amazing photos that I would not normally have been able to capture. The fun was going through all 427 of them that it took last night. :-)

Monday, July 2, 2012

Casee and me at her surprise 40th birthday party. 

Not enough minutes left

How are you able to decide how many moments is enoughto spend with a person? With our busy lives today, sometimes it comes down to chance. If you bump into them at the grocery store or at a kids' sporting event.

There are times in our lives, that remind up how important spending time is.  Not texting, not emailing, but actually sitting down and spending time with a person. 

Yesterday, I recieved the news that a dear friend and co-worker has about two weeks to live.  This is heartbreaking news to all people that have had the honor of getting to know her.  Casee is honestly one of the strongest people that I have ever met.  She has fought breast cancer, bone cancer, and now has liver failure.  She has fought this unrelenting disease while raising two boys 12 & 7, who I have no doubt will grow to become wonderful young men. 

It breaks my heart that Rayce and Wyatt will not be able to have their mom at their graduation, prom, or any other big life event. But I know that they will make it through.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours with Casee, outside by the lake, in the sunlight watching her boys ride their bikes.  Knowing that there are few days left, I can't imagine that there are many better ways to have spent that time.  I know with my entire being that Casee is ready to die, even though I am trying to process what life will be without her here.

I am thankful for the moments that I have had and the memories of her laugh, her tenecous personality, and sass.  She has been such an inspiration, but anyone that knows her well, knows that she doesn't try to be. She has just lived her life, which is what we should all do.

I am planning to see Casee again this week, there is no way to know how fast her health will deteriorate. But, I know that she is at peace, and my time spent with her cannot be taken away.  I am at peace with my friendship, we have shared our lives, the good, the bad, and the scary and I would not trade it for any amount of money.

Casee, this world will not be the same without you here! I love you and will miss you! Thank you for making me a better person!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

I am proud to introduce the new members of my household. Their names are Peta and Rue (named after the characters from The Hunger Games). They are about one year old and are brothers.

They come to me from a very loving family that is about to expand and they can't keep the boys any longer. 

I am excited to have them and see how many adventures we have.  Already today I was sure that they had escaped while I was at work, but they were hiding under the shower curtain watching me freak out. :-)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

If you could watch for movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?

This question was posed to me today at work, after me disclosing that I don't have cable, so I watch Hairspray every night before I go to sleep.

On of my four would clearly have to be Hairspray, I watch the new version, but I would be fine with the original as well.

For my second movie, I would have to say, The Lion King. It is my favorite Disney movie. It has a lot of fond memories attached to it, plus the music in it is wonderful.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Great post I read today

The purpose of having boundaries is to protect and take care of ourselves. We need to be able to tell other people when they are acting in ways that are not acceptable to us. the first step is to know that we have the right to protect and defend ourselves. That we have not only the right, but the duty to take responsibility for how we allow others to treat us.~Unknown

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Just got home from a wonderful weekend in the thumb. The sunset on the beach of Port Huron is breathtaking. It was very relaxing, beach time, putt putt golf, blues festival and a raging bonfire with some friendly neighbors at our motel. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Words that remind me

I think I can...

It's official, my flowers are sprouting! Right now they are nothing special to look at, but I think they will be beautiful! My veggies are taking a little longer to start, but I have a good feeling about them as well!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

What is fast enough for you?

The other day after helping coach high school volleyball girls, I was thinking about just how scary it is to have kids on the road. At 30, there are times when I am driving that I am not paying enough attention to the road. I remember the days of being 16, 17, & 18 and thinking that I was in control of everything. I was a good enough driver that I could speed, listen to music, and talk to my friends at the same time.  In all honesty, I think that we can all be thankful that we made it through our teen years. Young drivers have so many things that they have not yet experienced. And, reading in drivers training about how to react is very different than actually reacting in real life. This morning on the radio, they were discussing a highway in Texas that is contemplating having the speed limit be 85 mph. This is absolutely terrifying to me! I am not sure that I would be able to control my car going 85 in case of emergency. (My car doesn't even go 85!!!!) On wet road conditions, how much reaction time is needed at that speed? People texting & driving at 85?! People that love to speed and will then go 90-95 mph? And more practically, who has the extra money to shell out to make up for the bad gas mileage. No thank you! On my way home from work today, I noticed a cross on the side of the road. That is a memory of someone's friend, sibling, and child, that was killed in some way most likely due to a vehicle accident. Why would we want more families to have to deal with that hurt and pain? I see no good that could come from this... Please share why you think it's right.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Day 2

As well as blogging, I am also starting to garden. I use that term very loosely. What I actually did was get a "salsa growing kit" and a "flower variety kit" from the store. But I still had to plant the seed, so I am going to count it.

In the past, I have had a less than impressive track record with keeping plants alive. But I am hoping this time will be different!

I would post a photo, but I can't seem to get the app to work.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Welcome to the world as She sees it!

So, it's my first day as a blogger. I take lots of nature pictures wherever I go, so I thought this would be a great way to share them as well as any other sparks of genius that run through my mind.