While this may not be true, it seems like October has become THE month for awareness. I know most other months have several month-long observances as well, but this one is big. I have included the list I found on Wikepedia below.
Last Saturday, I went to the Amarillo Race for the Cure with THE SISTER #1 (I have a few now). I LOVED it! One, it was refreshing to think about others for a while instead of myself. Two, it was a nice fall morning. Three, I was there with The Sister. Four, it totally took me back to my peer ed days. I just love giving information to people to help them make better informed decisions for their life. Ideally, I love doing this with college students, but I'll take what I can get - oh, and we did actually get to talk to some college kids so that was a bonus!
So, for those who didn't know breast cancer is not just about genetic disposition. Things like healthy eating, not smoking, and limiting alcohol actually reduce your chance of getting breast cancer. This is something that not everyone automatically knows. Yeah, we know that we should live well, but most of us assume that breast cancer is genetic or totally accidental. A lot of it is, but taking care of yourself makes a difference as well. : ) Oh, and the other thing - if you feel a lump of any sort contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY!!!! As The Sister says "you may just be lumpy," but it is better to ask and find out that it's nothing instead of doing what a lot of us (women) do. You know, the "I don't have time for this right now" or the "If I don't go and find out, then I don't have to worry about cancer." Don't do that! Go get checked!
If you go to this site and click on the donate now, sponsors will donate free mamograms to women who are underpriviledged (www.thebreastcancersite.com).
Something different...October is also National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (usually the 3rd week in the month). This is a big one since we have a lot of irresponsible behavior regarding alcohol on college campuses. If you know a college student, talk to them about responsibility (relating to alcohol). 1 - if you are under 21 it is illegal to drink, 2 - don't drink & drive, 3 - have reasonable limits to your intake and stick to them, 4 - don't participate in things like keg stands as that gets you drunk quicker and it is more damaging to your brain, 5 - eat a good meal before you drink, 6 - alternate your drinks between alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Simple things. More information can be found at this link (http://www.bacchusgamma.org/documents/09NCAAW_AlcInfoEd.pdf).
MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES - enjoy...many have links so you can educate yourself on the issue or culture
Filipino American History Month (in United States)
National Arts & Humanities Month (in United States)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) History Month (in United States)
German American Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15 in the United States)
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15 in the United States)
Italian American Heritage Month: Italian Heritage and Culture Month
Polish American Heritage Month
Celiac Sprue Awareness Month
Health Literacy Month
Healthy Lung Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (in United States and Canada)
National Dental Hygiene Month (in United States)
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (in United States)
National Infertility Awareness Month (in United States)
National Lupus Erythematosus Awareness Month (in United States)
National Physical Therapy Month (in United States)
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month (in United States)
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (in United States)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month (in United States)
World Blindness Awareness Month
American Pharmacist Month
So, that's about it...I'm out.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What great kids!
I have the best niece & nephew in the world! Let me tell you about how wonderful they are.
P-Dawg, who is now 14, is so sweet and caring. He loves my baby girl and will totally give of himself to help out. The first weekend we were home from the hospital, he and his mom came up to help out. We were all so exhausted and at some point we all crashed. The Wee One woke up and P-Dawg immedately got up with her so that we could all sleep. Recently, he came to help us move into our new home. He stayed the week and helped move stuff and take care of The Wee One. He makes her laugh like none other can. She loves him!
M is a senior this year and she totally impressed me the other day. She is a truly caring individual as well, but I feel like this is above and beyond. A student at her high school commited suicide last week. She watched the students in the school and was inspired to start a peer education group. She said the students didn't use the grief counselors that the school brought in, but rather talked to each other in the hallways.
Background....I have been a peer education (or an advisor thereof) for about 9 years. I had talked to M about joining a peer ed group when she goes to college next year because of her caring heart. I love peer education! Peers will totally talk to peers before adults or professionals.
So, M called to ask me some questions about starting a peer ed group at her school. She has it so together. She has found a sponsor, she has students interested in joining, she has thought of all the nuts and bolts before she is going to take it to her principal. Way to go! After working with college students, I can honestly say that that is rare. She is so off to a great start.
Proud aunt - I'm out.
P-Dawg, who is now 14, is so sweet and caring. He loves my baby girl and will totally give of himself to help out. The first weekend we were home from the hospital, he and his mom came up to help out. We were all so exhausted and at some point we all crashed. The Wee One woke up and P-Dawg immedately got up with her so that we could all sleep. Recently, he came to help us move into our new home. He stayed the week and helped move stuff and take care of The Wee One. He makes her laugh like none other can. She loves him!
M is a senior this year and she totally impressed me the other day. She is a truly caring individual as well, but I feel like this is above and beyond. A student at her high school commited suicide last week. She watched the students in the school and was inspired to start a peer education group. She said the students didn't use the grief counselors that the school brought in, but rather talked to each other in the hallways.
Background....I have been a peer education (or an advisor thereof) for about 9 years. I had talked to M about joining a peer ed group when she goes to college next year because of her caring heart. I love peer education! Peers will totally talk to peers before adults or professionals.
So, M called to ask me some questions about starting a peer ed group at her school. She has it so together. She has found a sponsor, she has students interested in joining, she has thought of all the nuts and bolts before she is going to take it to her principal. Way to go! After working with college students, I can honestly say that that is rare. She is so off to a great start.
Proud aunt - I'm out.
She's One!
So The Wee One turns 1 today! I can't believe it. It has gone by so quickly, and though everyone tells you that it will, you just don't comprehend how quickly till it actually happens.
She is now walking and getting better at it everyday, although she still prefers to craw if she really wants to get somewhere qucik. She has finally gotten hair and it is still red - intensity of the red depending on the lighting. : ) She has developed a temper and likes to show it, but as of yet, they are short bursts and no real tantrums. Thank you, Lord! She is silly and funny and so full of energy. Here's a note...she loves having the wind in her face. That's a good one since we live on the High Plains where the wind blows about 90% of the time.
And how has my life changed? In everyway possible I think. I am now staying at home. I am trying to figure out all this mommy stuff. I blog and join mommy chat rooms to make friends. Yikes! I'm that mom!
I guess I can sum it up with a line from one of the best movies ever (Raising Arizona) "I love her so much!"
I'm out...
She is now walking and getting better at it everyday, although she still prefers to craw if she really wants to get somewhere qucik. She has finally gotten hair and it is still red - intensity of the red depending on the lighting. : ) She has developed a temper and likes to show it, but as of yet, they are short bursts and no real tantrums. Thank you, Lord! She is silly and funny and so full of energy. Here's a note...she loves having the wind in her face. That's a good one since we live on the High Plains where the wind blows about 90% of the time.
And how has my life changed? In everyway possible I think. I am now staying at home. I am trying to figure out all this mommy stuff. I blog and join mommy chat rooms to make friends. Yikes! I'm that mom!
I guess I can sum it up with a line from one of the best movies ever (Raising Arizona) "I love her so much!"
I'm out...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Snake City
So I thought I was done hanging where death lives (aka snake city), but it seems I have found the suburbia of snake city. You know, The Husband actually got bit by a copperhead in Arkansas and though he lived to tell the tale, I am still terrified of the beastly creatures.
The completely irrational fear has been renewed as of late here in the Oklahoma panhandle. (Maybe it isn't a completely irrational fear. I mean snakes do bite and can cause death occasionally.) We found out recently that the home we were previously in - as in two months ago - has a snake living in the bush by the back door. I always had a sneaky suspicion of that bush, but I had no proof and therefore, I was being paranoid. Additionally, we were told that they took a different 3 foot rattlesnake of the same lot a week ago. YUCK!
To be fair I will admit, I am somewhat paranoid about snakes. People always say that, but it is so very true with me. I have fears that I can conquer, you know get my mind around them and it's fine, but not with snakes. I have a fear of heights, but I have been to the top of the Space Needle and I love high ropes courses. I have a fear of drowning, but I love going on cruises and being on a boat at the lake. However, this fear of snakes seems to beat me every time.
People laugh when I share this story, but as a child I loved Highway to Heaven. It was a good show - looking for it in syndication. So, there was this episode that has scared me for life. A woman in a large apartment building claimed a snake was coming out of her toilet. No one believed her and then at some point in the show they actually show the snake coming up out of the toilet! I was something like 10 when I saw that and to this day (almost 20 years later) I occasionally get a feeling a snake is coming up out of the toilet while I am doing my business. I will stop whatever is going on and look. I'm a FREAK!
Not that this phobia is new, but it is intesified now that I know there are snakes roming free nearby...down the road! About 2 weeks ago The Husband and I were taking an evening walk with The Wee One. We took the trash to the dumpster on the way and low and behold...some IDIOT had placed a dead bull snake ON TOP of the dumpster rather than putting it in the dumpster. At first we didn't know it was dead...freak out!!! I literally ran in circles in the parking lot to get away from it. Even after The Husband determined it was no longer with us, I couldn't calm down. My heart raced for about 10 more minutes while we walked, and of course, my eyes were scanning the road and sidewalks the rest of the time for snakes.
I can't help it...I freak out...I run, I scream, I have imaginary snakes following me down the road or coming out the toilet. I am TERRIFIED of the horrible things!
So, to make it simple - if anyone ever thinks it would be funny to play a trick on me involving a snake, they better be prepared to first, calm me down and second, lose a limb or their life.
Enough said....I'm out.
The completely irrational fear has been renewed as of late here in the Oklahoma panhandle. (Maybe it isn't a completely irrational fear. I mean snakes do bite and can cause death occasionally.) We found out recently that the home we were previously in - as in two months ago - has a snake living in the bush by the back door. I always had a sneaky suspicion of that bush, but I had no proof and therefore, I was being paranoid. Additionally, we were told that they took a different 3 foot rattlesnake of the same lot a week ago. YUCK!
To be fair I will admit, I am somewhat paranoid about snakes. People always say that, but it is so very true with me. I have fears that I can conquer, you know get my mind around them and it's fine, but not with snakes. I have a fear of heights, but I have been to the top of the Space Needle and I love high ropes courses. I have a fear of drowning, but I love going on cruises and being on a boat at the lake. However, this fear of snakes seems to beat me every time.
People laugh when I share this story, but as a child I loved Highway to Heaven. It was a good show - looking for it in syndication. So, there was this episode that has scared me for life. A woman in a large apartment building claimed a snake was coming out of her toilet. No one believed her and then at some point in the show they actually show the snake coming up out of the toilet! I was something like 10 when I saw that and to this day (almost 20 years later) I occasionally get a feeling a snake is coming up out of the toilet while I am doing my business. I will stop whatever is going on and look. I'm a FREAK!
Not that this phobia is new, but it is intesified now that I know there are snakes roming free nearby...down the road! About 2 weeks ago The Husband and I were taking an evening walk with The Wee One. We took the trash to the dumpster on the way and low and behold...some IDIOT had placed a dead bull snake ON TOP of the dumpster rather than putting it in the dumpster. At first we didn't know it was dead...freak out!!! I literally ran in circles in the parking lot to get away from it. Even after The Husband determined it was no longer with us, I couldn't calm down. My heart raced for about 10 more minutes while we walked, and of course, my eyes were scanning the road and sidewalks the rest of the time for snakes.
I can't help it...I freak out...I run, I scream, I have imaginary snakes following me down the road or coming out the toilet. I am TERRIFIED of the horrible things!
So, to make it simple - if anyone ever thinks it would be funny to play a trick on me involving a snake, they better be prepared to first, calm me down and second, lose a limb or their life.
Enough said....I'm out.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Civility & Politics
Ah, America. Land of the free. Land where we can speak our minds. Land where we have religious and political freedom. Land where we can be rude.
Honestly people. Regardless of your political affiliation (or lack thereof) there should be a certain level of respect for the OFFICE of the PRESIDENT! There is a time and place for civil rebellion, however, our nation is getting to a point these days of rediculousness. The Senator's reaction during Obama's speech is just an example of how out of hand we are getting these days. That was not a forum for outbursts. I encourage lively debate and I think it very important that we have a certain level of cognitive discourse within our political world; however, TIME & PLACE.
On a similar note...I will say, I did not vote for Obama, but I do like him and think that he is trying to work toward his campaign promises. I don't like everything he does. I don't think everything that comes out of his mouth is correct. However, I don't disagree with him on everything either. I hate to say this, but I know many people who will not even really listen to what he has to say because they "don't like him." Sorry people, many didn't like Bush, but when the media or the general public called him names or shut him out, the very people doing that to Obama were the ones who got pissed off. Can't we see the similarity here?
I love being an American and I still believe that we are better off than other countries. At the same time, there are real issues in our society and there are things that need to be addressed. Bickering and fighting will not solve our problems. Everyone (Rep. & Dem.) talk about bipartisanship all the freakin time. When is it going to happen?!?!?! Knee jerk reactions don't do any of us any good. I say this to both sides, to politicians and voters alike!
So, that is my rant for the week...I'm out.
Honestly people. Regardless of your political affiliation (or lack thereof) there should be a certain level of respect for the OFFICE of the PRESIDENT! There is a time and place for civil rebellion, however, our nation is getting to a point these days of rediculousness. The Senator's reaction during Obama's speech is just an example of how out of hand we are getting these days. That was not a forum for outbursts. I encourage lively debate and I think it very important that we have a certain level of cognitive discourse within our political world; however, TIME & PLACE.
On a similar note...I will say, I did not vote for Obama, but I do like him and think that he is trying to work toward his campaign promises. I don't like everything he does. I don't think everything that comes out of his mouth is correct. However, I don't disagree with him on everything either. I hate to say this, but I know many people who will not even really listen to what he has to say because they "don't like him." Sorry people, many didn't like Bush, but when the media or the general public called him names or shut him out, the very people doing that to Obama were the ones who got pissed off. Can't we see the similarity here?
I love being an American and I still believe that we are better off than other countries. At the same time, there are real issues in our society and there are things that need to be addressed. Bickering and fighting will not solve our problems. Everyone (Rep. & Dem.) talk about bipartisanship all the freakin time. When is it going to happen?!?!?! Knee jerk reactions don't do any of us any good. I say this to both sides, to politicians and voters alike!
So, that is my rant for the week...I'm out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)