My oldest son and his fiancee are very close to another young couple with children. Alec (Tommy's fiancee) babysat for them for free a lot because they couldn't afford to pay for childcare. I had met John, but never Mandy or their children.
This morning I got up and hit the grocery store and when I got home, Tommy told me that their baby, a 4 month old little girl named Siddalee, didn't wake up this morning. That when they went in to get her, she was cold and blue.
I can only assume it was SIDS, but they don't really know anyting yet. I'm just so sad. Any time I hear of a baby dying it just rips my heart out for the family, especially the mom. I guess having lost 2 of my own makes it hit closer to home for me.
I know they can't afford a funeral and head stone, so I'm starting a funeral fund for the baby. If you'd like to donate, you can use the chipin donate button above (donations go through Paypal) or email me for my home address.
PS: The Chip In widget says Nov 28th, but in truth, they need it by Oct 28th - I've adjusted the settings at ChipIn but the widget isn't showing the change yet.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Un-bulleted list
I just love this layout. Except it does a weird 3d thing that makes me a twinge cross-eyed.
My mother believes that Obama is a Muslim, AND the antichrist. And that Palin is good people.
I've decided to stay completely out of any more political debates because it makes me want to shake people.
Hard.
For a long time.
I've never hunted, and yet, I have a freezer full of venison. Thanks Sheryl! *waves*
I'm looking forward to grocery shopping, because I'm buying another turkey and the rest of the fixings for 2 Thanksgiving dinners.
It is cold out tonight, so we have the fireplace lit. It's beautiful, cozy, relaxing, and smells gooood.
I miss writing poetry. Once upon a time, I thought in stanzas...
I also miss sleep.
I have one week to pull together a Halloween party for kids whose ages vary from toddler to young adult. WTF was I thinking?
My mother believes that Obama is a Muslim, AND the antichrist. And that Palin is good people.
I've decided to stay completely out of any more political debates because it makes me want to shake people.
Hard.
For a long time.
I've never hunted, and yet, I have a freezer full of venison. Thanks Sheryl! *waves*
I'm looking forward to grocery shopping, because I'm buying another turkey and the rest of the fixings for 2 Thanksgiving dinners.
It is cold out tonight, so we have the fireplace lit. It's beautiful, cozy, relaxing, and smells gooood.
I miss writing poetry. Once upon a time, I thought in stanzas...
I also miss sleep.
I have one week to pull together a Halloween party for kids whose ages vary from toddler to young adult. WTF was I thinking?
It's been too long!!!
It's been probably 2 years since I changed the dang layout on my blog, which means... I have no idea anymore how to change it without losing all my good stuff - because really, I didn't know wtf I was doing back when I *WAS* changing it a lot.
Sucks to be me. I don't even remember how to log into my blogrolling account, so I can't edit my links. I'm feeling pretty dang idiotic :)
I think I'm just going to have to "reset it to factory settings" and start over. It makes me sad, and oddly excited. I'm so fucking weird.
Sucks to be me. I don't even remember how to log into my blogrolling account, so I can't edit my links. I'm feeling pretty dang idiotic :)
I think I'm just going to have to "reset it to factory settings" and start over. It makes me sad, and oddly excited. I'm so fucking weird.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
That's All Folks
Does everyone hate grocery shopping or is it just me? OK, I know it isn't just me. I mean, obviously every one of the 2.5 million people jostling through the Wal-Mart grocery section today was hating their grocery shopping too. Funny how some people are such generous creatures when it comes to sharing their misery, huh?
But I showed them! I bought a turkey, destined to be given to someone who will be lacking in the feast department this Thanksgiving. And there will be one purchased every week from now till Thanksgiving, if I can just figure out how to fit them in my dang freezer.
Note to self: buy freezer stretcher
Yeah, there's a group on 29 Gifts that is organizing sort of a "big give" where a bunch of us buy the fixins' for at least one full Holiday meal and donate it to a family or organization we know who is in need. I know several families, and I'm having a food drive for a local organization.
Anyway, I've been trying to get this post done for like 3 hours but I can't stay still long enough to do it so, blah. That's all folks
But I showed them! I bought a turkey, destined to be given to someone who will be lacking in the feast department this Thanksgiving. And there will be one purchased every week from now till Thanksgiving, if I can just figure out how to fit them in my dang freezer.
Note to self: buy freezer stretcher
Yeah, there's a group on 29 Gifts that is organizing sort of a "big give" where a bunch of us buy the fixins' for at least one full Holiday meal and donate it to a family or organization we know who is in need. I know several families, and I'm having a food drive for a local organization.
Anyway, I've been trying to get this post done for like 3 hours but I can't stay still long enough to do it so, blah. That's all folks
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Call for personal essay submissions for book
CALL FOR PERSONAL ESSAY SUBMISSIONS FOR BOOK
Topic: THE HEALING POWER OF GIVING
posted: September 26, 2008
Submission Deadline: November 29, 2008
Book Title
29 GIFTS: How to cultivate a daily giving practice that will ignite your energy for life
by Cami Walker and the 29Gifts.org Community
Book Description
29 Gifts is the story of how 29Gifts.org founder, Cami Walker, healed from a major illness by taking an unusual prescription from a South African medicine woman. The remedy? Give 29 gifts to others in 29 days. Midway through Cami's 29 days of giving, after seeing many miraculous changes in her life, she launched a website encouraging others to take the 29 Gifts Challenge and share their stories about how it impacted their lives. Six months and 1,765 committed givers later, Cami was contacted by a major publisher and decided to say YES to their request and write a book. The book is scheduled for release Fall 2009.
In addition to Cami's inspiring personal story, 29 Gifts will also include a collection of 29 personal essays from others about the Healing Power of Giving.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Authors whose stories are chosen for publication in the 29 Gifts book will receive a one-time payment of $200.
Selected contributors also get a brief bio at the end of their story and a link to their 29Gifts.org profile page. On your 29Gifts.org profile page, readers can learn more about you, leave comments for you about your story, and link to your website.
How to Submit:
1. SIGN UP for the 29 Gifts Challenge at http://www.29Gifts.org
2. Give away 29 gifts in 29 days. Your gifts can be ANYTHING given to ANYONE -- smiles, kind thoughts, old sweaters, cans of soup, spare change...
3. Write and submit a story that is 2,500 words or less about how it impacted your life to focus on giving for 29 days
4. Email your story in the BODY of an email to story@29Gifts.org (NO ATTACHMENTS, please)
*Put STORY in the SUBJECT LINE of your email
*Include your FULL CONTACT DETAILS: first and last name (as you want it published in your byline), phone number, mailing address, email address and the link to your 29Gifts.org profile at the TOP of your email and the story below that.
Submission deadline: November 29, 2008
NOTE: You MUST be a member of the 29Gifts.org site (i.e. have a profile on the site) to be considered for the book.
If you haven't signed up at http://www.29Gifts.org yet, DO IT NOW and start your giving because story submissions for the book are due 11/29/08!
A FEW GUIDELINES TO GIVE YOU THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING SELECTED FOR THE 29 GIFTS BOOK:
1. Write in present, active tense.
2. Use a lot of sensory detail that helps stimulate all five senses.
3. Use conversational tone, as if you are sitting down and telling the story in person to your best friend.
4. Tell the story of the gift(s) you gave, but also communicate how it impacted you. How did you feel about yourself after offering the gift(s)? Did the gift(s) change your perception about something? Did you receive something unexpected in return? Was there an evident impact on the recipient of the gift(s)?
Please direct any submission-related questions to: story@29Gifts.org
*Absolutely NO phone calls please.
---------------------------------
Please pass this along to anyone you feel might be interested!
Topic: THE HEALING POWER OF GIVING
posted: September 26, 2008
Submission Deadline: November 29, 2008
Book Title
29 GIFTS: How to cultivate a daily giving practice that will ignite your energy for life
by Cami Walker and the 29Gifts.org Community
Book Description
29 Gifts is the story of how 29Gifts.org founder, Cami Walker, healed from a major illness by taking an unusual prescription from a South African medicine woman. The remedy? Give 29 gifts to others in 29 days. Midway through Cami's 29 days of giving, after seeing many miraculous changes in her life, she launched a website encouraging others to take the 29 Gifts Challenge and share their stories about how it impacted their lives. Six months and 1,765 committed givers later, Cami was contacted by a major publisher and decided to say YES to their request and write a book. The book is scheduled for release Fall 2009.
In addition to Cami's inspiring personal story, 29 Gifts will also include a collection of 29 personal essays from others about the Healing Power of Giving.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Authors whose stories are chosen for publication in the 29 Gifts book will receive a one-time payment of $200.
Selected contributors also get a brief bio at the end of their story and a link to their 29Gifts.org profile page. On your 29Gifts.org profile page, readers can learn more about you, leave comments for you about your story, and link to your website.
How to Submit:
1. SIGN UP for the 29 Gifts Challenge at http://www.29Gifts.org
2. Give away 29 gifts in 29 days. Your gifts can be ANYTHING given to ANYONE -- smiles, kind thoughts, old sweaters, cans of soup, spare change...
3. Write and submit a story that is 2,500 words or less about how it impacted your life to focus on giving for 29 days
4. Email your story in the BODY of an email to story@29Gifts.org (NO ATTACHMENTS, please)
*Put STORY in the SUBJECT LINE of your email
*Include your FULL CONTACT DETAILS: first and last name (as you want it published in your byline), phone number, mailing address, email address and the link to your 29Gifts.org profile at the TOP of your email and the story below that.
Submission deadline: November 29, 2008
NOTE: You MUST be a member of the 29Gifts.org site (i.e. have a profile on the site) to be considered for the book.
If you haven't signed up at http://www.29Gifts.org yet, DO IT NOW and start your giving because story submissions for the book are due 11/29/08!
A FEW GUIDELINES TO GIVE YOU THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING SELECTED FOR THE 29 GIFTS BOOK:
1. Write in present, active tense.
2. Use a lot of sensory detail that helps stimulate all five senses.
3. Use conversational tone, as if you are sitting down and telling the story in person to your best friend.
4. Tell the story of the gift(s) you gave, but also communicate how it impacted you. How did you feel about yourself after offering the gift(s)? Did the gift(s) change your perception about something? Did you receive something unexpected in return? Was there an evident impact on the recipient of the gift(s)?
Please direct any submission-related questions to: story@29Gifts.org
*Absolutely NO phone calls please.
---------------------------------
Please pass this along to anyone you feel might be interested!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
September Nights
I can't get over how cool the weather has turned all of a sudden. It doesn't seem normal for NC. But then again, Fall always sneaks up on me and surprises me. Next thing you know it'll be Christmas. Especially if I get lost in all the meteor showers in October and November eh?
I was outside tonight... we live in a neighborhood now, which comes with it's inherent set of complicatons. I suppose it's only natural that there's more trouble and drama in a place where there's a high concentration of people. But even so, at night, it's quiet, crazy quiet. We're far enough away from the highway that we barely even hear the traffic at night. All you hear are crickets getting ready for the harvest. The air has an unmistakable quality to it - the humidity that hung heavy over us all summer has been replaced with the crisp clarity that always preceeds winter.
Tonight, there's not a cloud in the sky, just eons of stars as far into eternity as the human eye can see, and farther than the human mind can fathom. I saw a shooting star and was so awed that I forgot to make a wish. It's just so damned beautiful out there. So undefined, and yet, so perfectly clear.
I should have wished on that star - I should have wished I was the September night sky.
I was outside tonight... we live in a neighborhood now, which comes with it's inherent set of complicatons. I suppose it's only natural that there's more trouble and drama in a place where there's a high concentration of people. But even so, at night, it's quiet, crazy quiet. We're far enough away from the highway that we barely even hear the traffic at night. All you hear are crickets getting ready for the harvest. The air has an unmistakable quality to it - the humidity that hung heavy over us all summer has been replaced with the crisp clarity that always preceeds winter.
Tonight, there's not a cloud in the sky, just eons of stars as far into eternity as the human eye can see, and farther than the human mind can fathom. I saw a shooting star and was so awed that I forgot to make a wish. It's just so damned beautiful out there. So undefined, and yet, so perfectly clear.
I should have wished on that star - I should have wished I was the September night sky.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cross Posted from EVERYWHERE else I blog...
I am hosting a shoe drive for Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes to people in need. Basically, I'm collecting "gently used" or new shoes (of any size, color or style) and shipping them to their warehouse in Alabama to be distributed.
The organization distributes both within The US, and to other countries.
I'll be collecting through October 19th, and I'd really appreciate it if you had any to donate. The website says I'm supposed to suggest that anyone who donates shoes also donate $2 to cover my shipping cost, however, if you'd like to donate shoes without the $2, that's totally cool too, I'll cover the difference in shipping.
If you'd like to donate some shoes, please message me or email me at emonahan@carolina.rr.com!
The organization distributes both within The US, and to other countries.
I'll be collecting through October 19th, and I'd really appreciate it if you had any to donate. The website says I'm supposed to suggest that anyone who donates shoes also donate $2 to cover my shipping cost, however, if you'd like to donate shoes without the $2, that's totally cool too, I'll cover the difference in shipping.
If you'd like to donate some shoes, please message me or email me at emonahan@carolina.rr.com!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I never did like coming up with a title...
I'm having one of those days where I feel like I'm just banging my head into a wall. It's so frustrating to not be able to accomplish things I really want to accomplish.
So here's one of the stories (just one, otherwise it would be yet another unbearably long post lol!)
My kids are friends with this other kid, I'll call him "K" since he isn't mine and I don't feel it's right to spread his business all over the net :)
He is a troubled kid, I've talked about him before right? I don't remember. Anyway. He just needs people to show him something other than he's ever been taught. He's been raised by an ailing mother. His father has been absent his whole life because he's been too busy robbing banks and killing people and going to prison. He's lived in rough neighborhoods where he had to be 'tough' to survive. He resents his mother for some of the things he's been through, and for some of the things she did that, I'm sure, were things she felt were necessary at the time. Now he is 17 1/2, and terribly lost, and the path he's on will not lead to a happy or fulfilling adult life. Actually, I think he's headed toward a lifetime of incarceration if he's allowed to just fall through the gaping holes in society's support framework.
Truth is, since he's been spending time with us, he's opened up a lot, he's calmed down a lot, he's softened up a lot, and he seems like a big hearted kid who just needs some love, understanding and guidance. We, as a family, have been trying to provide all of this for him.
I've also talked to his mother, who is nearly as old as my mother. There's a generation gap between SHE and I, you can only imagine how vastly differently she and "K" see the world. And they don't talk. She just seems to make no attempt to give him what HE needs, because she's so dang busy giving him what she THINKS he needs. And she calls me all the time. Rather than talk to him or try to repair their relationship, she tries to pick my brain and find out what he's said here. Now, don't get me wrong, she's the mom, and I can identify with her, on that mother level. But if I stand a chance of doing him any good at all, I can't betray his trust by becoming his mother's spy into his life. SHE needs to open those lines of communication with him rather than use me.
Of course, I can't say that to her. Who the hell am I to question her parenting skills or presume to know a thing about their relationship, right? Well, at least that's what she's going to be thinking... unless I betray his trust and tell her the things he's told us.
Ugly damn cycle, and I am so conflicted as to how to handle things. I have to admit that I figure if she hasn't been able to connect with him in the last 17 1/2 years, there's probably little that's going to change in the short time he has left in her care. And if he has any hope of realizing the error of his ways, he's more likely to learn by example from us, rather than by waiting for her to become someone she isn't.
So, I feel like a bad person in a way, but I tend to lean towards not telling her anything, and thereby keeping his trust... But sometimes I feel like for every breakthrough we have with him (and there have been several breakthrough "light bulb moments") she turns around and does something with him that unravels it all
And I guess the question(s) I'm really struggling with: Am I over stepping some boundaries? And if I am, do my intentions make it OK? Or should I just back out of it entirely? And if I do just remove myself, is that fair to him? What's more important, respecting the boundaries or helping this kid?
*sigh*
So here's one of the stories (just one, otherwise it would be yet another unbearably long post lol!)
My kids are friends with this other kid, I'll call him "K" since he isn't mine and I don't feel it's right to spread his business all over the net :)
He is a troubled kid, I've talked about him before right? I don't remember. Anyway. He just needs people to show him something other than he's ever been taught. He's been raised by an ailing mother. His father has been absent his whole life because he's been too busy robbing banks and killing people and going to prison. He's lived in rough neighborhoods where he had to be 'tough' to survive. He resents his mother for some of the things he's been through, and for some of the things she did that, I'm sure, were things she felt were necessary at the time. Now he is 17 1/2, and terribly lost, and the path he's on will not lead to a happy or fulfilling adult life. Actually, I think he's headed toward a lifetime of incarceration if he's allowed to just fall through the gaping holes in society's support framework.
Truth is, since he's been spending time with us, he's opened up a lot, he's calmed down a lot, he's softened up a lot, and he seems like a big hearted kid who just needs some love, understanding and guidance. We, as a family, have been trying to provide all of this for him.
I've also talked to his mother, who is nearly as old as my mother. There's a generation gap between SHE and I, you can only imagine how vastly differently she and "K" see the world. And they don't talk. She just seems to make no attempt to give him what HE needs, because she's so dang busy giving him what she THINKS he needs. And she calls me all the time. Rather than talk to him or try to repair their relationship, she tries to pick my brain and find out what he's said here. Now, don't get me wrong, she's the mom, and I can identify with her, on that mother level. But if I stand a chance of doing him any good at all, I can't betray his trust by becoming his mother's spy into his life. SHE needs to open those lines of communication with him rather than use me.
Of course, I can't say that to her. Who the hell am I to question her parenting skills or presume to know a thing about their relationship, right? Well, at least that's what she's going to be thinking... unless I betray his trust and tell her the things he's told us.
Ugly damn cycle, and I am so conflicted as to how to handle things. I have to admit that I figure if she hasn't been able to connect with him in the last 17 1/2 years, there's probably little that's going to change in the short time he has left in her care. And if he has any hope of realizing the error of his ways, he's more likely to learn by example from us, rather than by waiting for her to become someone she isn't.
So, I feel like a bad person in a way, but I tend to lean towards not telling her anything, and thereby keeping his trust... But sometimes I feel like for every breakthrough we have with him (and there have been several breakthrough "light bulb moments") she turns around and does something with him that unravels it all
And I guess the question(s) I'm really struggling with: Am I over stepping some boundaries? And if I am, do my intentions make it OK? Or should I just back out of it entirely? And if I do just remove myself, is that fair to him? What's more important, respecting the boundaries or helping this kid?
*sigh*
Friday, September 5, 2008
McCain v Sleaster
McCain v Sleaster
William Sleaster, a student at Concord High School rose to ask McCain a question about gay rights and, ultimately dissatisfied by the answer he received from McCain, told the Republican presidential contender that he'd come looking to see a leader and didn't.
[The Rest of the Story]
I wish I had this kid's phone number - I'd text him a big fat ^5 for being unafraid to speak his mind, and for asking the hard questions, and EXPECTING AN ANSWER, without being intimidated by McCain.
Of course, McCain didn't give him any real answers, but we know his position on Gay Marriage and gay rights in general.
I just don't understand why we should value his opinion on any kind of marriage when he cheated on his crippled wife, then left and divorced her to marry his mistress.
William Sleaster, a student at Concord High School rose to ask McCain a question about gay rights and, ultimately dissatisfied by the answer he received from McCain, told the Republican presidential contender that he'd come looking to see a leader and didn't.
[The Rest of the Story]
I wish I had this kid's phone number - I'd text him a big fat ^5 for being unafraid to speak his mind, and for asking the hard questions, and EXPECTING AN ANSWER, without being intimidated by McCain.
Of course, McCain didn't give him any real answers, but we know his position on Gay Marriage and gay rights in general.
I just don't understand why we should value his opinion on any kind of marriage when he cheated on his crippled wife, then left and divorced her to marry his mistress.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Since Nova Died
Since Nova died, I have moved far far away from the world of poetry and writing. But some folks at 29 Days have visited here and read some of my poetry, and have really encouraged me to come back to it. It feels strange, even reading others' writing, it seems like a distant place now.
But today I was sent 2 links. The first was to a fellow blogger, Jane Pupyek. She is a published author (that which I used to want desperately to be) and on her blog you can find excerpts of her books, as well as reviews. I already wanted Tomato Girl before I'd finished reading the front page of her blog. But as I scrolled down I saw that another blogger was hosting a give-a-way: an autographed copy of Tomato Girl, and I want it!
Because you know, Scott got laid off, and even though he's got a job now, our finances are screwed well beyond the point of ordering a book I just can't live without!
Anyway, check out the reviews, and if you decide you want a free copy of Tomato Girl, leave Kathy at Bermuda Onion a comment and you'll be entered into her give-a-way. If, like me, you NEED a copy of Tomato Girl, you'll blog about her give-a-way and link back to her :)
Oh, the other link I got was to a poem on The Greensboro Review, written by Natasha Trethewey. Once you read it you'll know why it spoke personally to me...
Love y'all!
~E
But today I was sent 2 links. The first was to a fellow blogger, Jane Pupyek. She is a published author (that which I used to want desperately to be) and on her blog you can find excerpts of her books, as well as reviews. I already wanted Tomato Girl before I'd finished reading the front page of her blog. But as I scrolled down I saw that another blogger was hosting a give-a-way: an autographed copy of Tomato Girl, and I want it!
Because you know, Scott got laid off, and even though he's got a job now, our finances are screwed well beyond the point of ordering a book I just can't live without!
Anyway, check out the reviews, and if you decide you want a free copy of Tomato Girl, leave Kathy at Bermuda Onion a comment and you'll be entered into her give-a-way. If, like me, you NEED a copy of Tomato Girl, you'll blog about her give-a-way and link back to her :)
Oh, the other link I got was to a poem on The Greensboro Review, written by Natasha Trethewey. Once you read it you'll know why it spoke personally to me...
Love y'all!
~E
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