How Our Thanksgiving Started out Great and then.....

Today was beautiful!!  Scott ran in a 10K first thing this morning; justifies all the crap he ate later in the day.  I cooked, read, cooked, read.......and then went to lunch with my family.  We had a great time, our visit was nice and peaceful.  We went to Green Mtn. and began spreading the seeds from flowers already spent...to make sure they come back next year.  M wanted to dress in a fancy dress because we were going to her Aunts afterwards.  She had on fancy shoes, she calls them church shoes; we don't go to church we're Jewish.  But I think it is so cute when she says it.  Church must be pretty special to warrant those fancy shoes.  M wanted her daddy to carry her to keep the mud of her church shoes.  I love that she still wants that at 5.  She will wrap her arms around his broad shoulders and just squeeze; oh how it makes his heart melt.  He just loves it. A was sleeping in the car the whole time.  We finally made it to Lisa's.  Dinner was great and the company was great.  Then the shouting match started.  My father in law and brother in law got into a fight unlike anything I have ever heard.  I mean loud.  Hurt my ears kinda loud.  The stuff they were saying was awful.  F you...you piece of gd sh-t.  That is the nicest stuff they were saying.  I am so bothered by this.  Not just because it was Thanksgiving, but because it is just hatred.  They also did this in front of my kids.  Can you believe that?  My kids were petrified.  Petrified.  We had to quickly leave.  My kids can't process that kind of behavior, hell I can't process it.  So for Thanksgiving, we have this rule you must name three things you are thankful for.  so here it goes: 1.  I am thankful for my family and the happiness that fills my life. 2. I am thankful for my business and the life it provides for my family.  3.  I am thankful for my ability to vent, breathe, and walk away...it is just much better. Here are a few pictures from the last few days. 

The Countdown Is On!!!!

It's the biggest countdown of the year.  I look forward to this every year.  It is my favorite holiday.  Yes it's a holiday and I love it.  Is it Christmas?  No, while I love Christmas decorations and the scents and just general cheer for Chirstmas; it is not important to me because I don't celebrate it.  Could it be Hanukah?  Nope.  Even though I do celebrate Hanukah, it is really not an important holiday to most Jews; it has only gained recognition because Westerners felt a need to have an important winter holiday like Christmas.  The holiday I am talking about is MY BIRTHDAY!!!  Oh yeah, this is major.  I celebrate for a full 24 hours.  I love birthdays!!!!!  I am making my list now.

For My Friend Mandy

 Now that I am gone,

remember me with smiles and laughter.

And if you need to cry,

cry with your brother and sister

who walks in grief beside you.

And when you need me,

put your arms around anyone

and give them what you need to give to me.

There are so many who need so much.

I want to leave you with something--

something much better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known

or helped in some special way.

Let me live in your heart

as well as in your mind.

You can love me most

by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,

by embracing them and living in their love.

Love does not die, people do.

So, when all that's left of me is love,

give me away as best as you can.

--Author Unknown

Mandy,

I have not the right words to say.  I just know that you have been heavy on my heart and I want to share with you what my grandaddy did when someone he cared about left his side.  He always told me that from death comes life.  I thought he was nuts.  But now I get it; now that I have finally decided to grow up.  My grandaddy left me when I was in 4th grade, so I have had a lot of years to think about it.  In my family, when plant a tree in honor of loved ones life.  I think, for me, it serves many purposes.  First, the very basic, and it is a stretch, but with death there is life.  I think it is also a way for me to see something beautiful grow from something so painful.  I see the tree serve as shade for the surrounding plants.  I see the tree serve as a resting spot for beautiful wildlife.  I see the tree dance in the wind.  I hear the tree whisper sweet nothings to the sky.  I see life; beautiful life in death.  Mandy,  I love you and wish that there were words that would help your heart find a peace, but this I cannot.  My arms are open to hug you, or to just be.  In honor of your mother, Charlotte Self Lovell, we will be planting a strong, sturdy Oak tree and Green Mountain; I look forward to watching it grow and become an ever present hub of life.  

My Experience At The Susan G. Komen 3 Day Atlanta

Thursday night I was anxious and found it hard to relax so I had a nice glass of wine. I was up Friday morning at 4 am and ready to rock. I looked out the window and my worst fears were realized. It was pouring rain. Not to be discouraged I quickly dismissed the meteorologists report on the news; 100% chance of rain. Surely he was wrong. They are usually wrong about most weather reports. Let me tell you, not only was he right. He was 100% right. It rained the entire day. The temperature was 41 degrees (with the wind chill) and we had lovely 20 mph wind gusts. I have to be honest. I was VERY discouraged and thought that there was no way I was prepared for that. I then met this wonderful man that was walking alone. I thought he was crying, but I was unsure...it could have been the rain on his face. Now sit down. This is a true story, I tell you. Astounding. Robert was his name. He was in his early to mid fifties. He and his wife signed up in January to walk the 3 Day together. They had a friend that lost her battle to breast cancer 2 years ago. In May, Robert's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was determined to walk anyhow. She continued training with her husband until about 4 weeks ago, when she got really sick. The prognosis was not good. The only thing she wanted Robert to promise her was that he would still walk if she died prior to the event. Robert's wife died the day before the event started. He was there keeping his promise. He told me how his family was upset that he was off walking instead of at home planning a funeral. Robert said to me that his wife wasn't in that body back home but on that walk with him. Let me tell you that at this point it is taking every single ounce of self control I have to not sob and hold it together. This man was amazing. From that moment, the rain did not matter. The 41 degrees was no big deal and the wind gusts were just secondary. I knew I had to finish this walk. I had to finish for all the reasons that I signed up and more. I finished day one, wet, tired, and joyfully rejuvenated. The 3 day crew was amazing! They truly made the day seem to go quickly. We slept inside an empty office building that night, due to inclement weather. 4000 warm bodies in one building made for a hot stuffy night, but who really cares, we were dry! Day two was simply beautiful and perfect. I walked this day a lot with the people I trained with in Birmingham. It was just joyous. At this point I was feeling just awesome. My feet were blister free and I was having FUN!!!!! I did however decided to have Scott to pick me up and sleep in a real bed instead of camp out. Go ahead call me a weasel.....I can take it. This decision proved to be huge for me. Day three I woke up with a mission to finish and finish fast. I was finished with day three by 1 pm. I was number 133 out of 3800. This left me with 4 hours of free time prior to closing ceremonies. I had a nice dinner, a little leg massage from my hubby, and play time with the kiddos. The short of this now really wordy post, I was transformed. I did the walk with all of us in mind. Breast cancer is evil and non-discriminatory. It has touched many people's lives. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That is astounding. It gives me chills to just acknowledge it. We all know someone that will be diagnosed. My dream is for my daughter to never have to know what breast cancer is. My dream is for your families to not have to experience the pain that breast cancer has caused for so many....I walk for you. Here is one of my favorite pics from the event.  I will post more pics later.    Be well.

The Breast Cancer 3 Day

I am back and have lots to post, but right now I will leave it at AWESOME. Truly AWESOME!

The I am copying Katie Post

My friend Katie comes up with the best ideas. She really is nifty, smart, funny, adorable.....blah, blah, blah. I hope she knows it. Anyhow, she is posting a what not to get me for Christmas on her blog. Since I don't celebrate Christmas, and in my book, my birthday is the second best holiday (see previous post) and it is in December; I will post a what not to give me for my birthday. I must mention I have a general rule that I will not accept anything that plugs in as a gift. Nope, that is usually associated with domestic obligations and I have enough of those already! So, my first what not to give me for my birthday would have to be this thing. The description says it is a Willow Tree. I say what the hell is it??? Oh my...it looks like the head of the alien creature in the old Predator movie with Arnold Schwarmathingybob.....you know the Governor of California. Don't worry, I know not how to spell his name nor how to pronounce. I am sure I could Google, but that would take effort. While we are on the subjects on mayors....at least he is one with a BRaiN. If you have to ask who I am talking about, then you are obviously either a). not watching the new or b). clouded by your judgement because you are on the opposite position than I am...which is totally acceptable....NOT. Lots of excitement going on around my camp. I am putting my house on the market in the next 4-6 weeks. YES I HEAR YOU. I am crazy. I anticipate it will take forEVeR to find a buyer which is why I am listing in now. I figure by the time we actually have a serious contract, our other place will be ready.

On to more news, I will be walking the 60 mile walk in 1 week. If you haven't donated, click the little link in the upper left of my page. I still need more money to reach my goal. Yes, I am ruthless...but the cause is not. More terrible birthday presents to follow later......

I have Been Tagged Again

So KATIE has done it again. She is determined to bring me back from blog death. I have just been in a funk lately....but I am back and I am determined to post, post, post......so I am supposed to tell you eight things about me. Hum......

I want this rooster off of Etsy... how cute is it???

1. I am freaked out by high bridges...totally NuTty. My palms get all sweaty just driving over them. My heart skips a few bates and a get a huge lump in my throat. When I was a kid and we had to go over high bridges, I would hide in the floor of the car until we had successfully crossed the bridge.

2. I LoVe OLIVES. To me this is a food group all by itself. I could honestly put olives in or on anything and love it. Green? Black? I don't care....yum-ooo.

3. Like Katie, I LOVE HALLOWEEN. It is my favorite holiday. My favorite part of Halloween is candy corn (which is really year round for me) and Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin Patch.

4. The smell of Apple Cinnamon anything makes me voMit. I have no idea why, but it is pretty instant. Which really stinks. I love apples and cinnamon, but together they just don't jive.

5. I am a Snow White fan. No, that doesn't seem serious enough. I am a Snow White nut case. I want to be Snow White IF I ever grow up. The only thing I would change, is I would not stay home and do all that cleaning and cooking for 7 little men. I would HiRe someone to do that.

6. I hate plastic. Yup. I really do. All plastic. I do my darndest to not buy anything in plastic, which is nearly impossible.

7. I love to cook for other people, kinda contradicts #5 in part. But I do. My secret dream has always been to attend culinary school, just for the heck of it.

8. My dream want right now is one of these scooters. s1600-h/GasCardPromotion_02.jpg">

aND NOW who to tag:

sHE doesn't have a blog but she is nifty and cool:

http://www.stacyshafritzart.com/

Stacy is my uber cool sister-cool............