The Holidays Already?

It's that time again! Time to get started on holiday cards. Yes! I know, tt's not even Halloween. And although I normally push it off until the week before Christmas, this year I shall be on top of things. It is my New Year's resolution, before the New Year! Anyway, instead of ordering the same ole cards with a picture of my kiddos on the front, I discovered a MUCH better idea. They are the MOST adorable cards EVER designed by budding young artists who are also patients at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Anyone who knows me, understands my deep love for Children’s. They are one of the only places in the state of Illinois to provide heart transplants for babies and other such amazing procedures. The cards are part of, "Children's Expressions," and there are a ton of choices that can be personalized. What a wonderful idea!
The best part? Every purchase directly benefits the hospital’s "Family Services." The program helps support families coping with their child’s illness and stay at Childrens'.

Click here for the on-line store
www.childrensmemorial.org/store/cards/default.asp?catID=3
or call 1.877.901.4264.

No Rhyme No Reason

Let me preface this by telling you how my mother is my closest, my truly best friend and I have some WONDERFUL friends. We must talk three times a day (my parents live in a southern state) and usually about nothing in particular. She has an amazing moral compass and the most generous soul. We call her Mother Love for a reason. Anyway, earlier this year my family dealt with quite the heart stopping breast cancer scare. Her annual physical sparked off much more than a little concern from doctors. After the blood work, the scans, the surgery, my mom has been given the all clear and will get checked every six months now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!We know there are so many other families out there who have and are dealing with much more and they are in our thoughts and prayers. You always hear about how family history can tell you a lot about your risks for breast cancer.Not always.In our case, both grandmothers had early hysterectomies so we never knew if there was added risk for future generations. Plus, family history is not the only factor to consider. And so it was cause for me to get my first mammogram a month ago. Although I am not 40 years old, I did it anyway to get a baseline for years to come. As we know, prevention is the key to many illnesses and knowledge is the power we need to make good decisions. So please take a few minutes out for yourself and get checked. You can do it, a loved one can;) or visit your doctor.

Think Pink!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month, although every month is a great time to do what we can to help fight the disease from all angles. Consider it an assault of sorts.

Help honor survivors, their families and those who are on the scientific front lines of fighting breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society is Making Strides Against Breast Cancer with five mile walks all across the country (164 events) and Illinois. Many of us are stepping out Oct. 18th! This is the tenth year for the events here in the Land of Lincoln.

Funds raised help educate us all about reducing cancer risks and will help with lifesaving research and support programs. To find dates and places near you, check out www.makingstridesillinois.com

Bring it on!

If you have spent anytime on this blog, you may have read about my love for CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates for children do just that; advocate for children who have been removed from homes due to abuse or neglect. Many of these stories are brutal and almost unbearable to hear. Once such case involved three young sisters. Their mom was in prison for drugs, dad was MIA and they lived with their grandma until she passed.They were then placed in a foster home. The youngest sister (a toddler) is in a hospital fighting grave cancer. Heartbreaking. The CASA helps ensure the children get the services and help they need. Some of these generous foster families need a little extra help along the way to make sure the kids are cared for in all ways. It could be a crib, a name of a service agency or even help at the hospital. My long winded point is these children, who are all of OUR children, need our help. So I thank people like Jules Ross. Although she is not part of CASA, she did take time to load up her truck and drop off a ton of wonderful toys, clothes and other items for children who could use them where they live. A stroller, a dollhouse , a winter coat...all are needed and loved by these young ones and those who now care for them. So thank you!

This is my truck, otherwise known as The BEAST. She is mammouth. Today it was packed to the brim with baby loot.It was like Christmas in August. These things which include a high chair, crib, bathtub, bassinet and bedding are on their way to a foster family who desperately needs them for the little ones they are now caring for. The items are a result of people who have been so generous in giving their no longer needed items to THE CASA Closet. Right now the closet is empty of items for children from 5-12 years old. School is starting this week. Many of these children who have been removed from homes due to abuse and neglect are now in foster homes or group homes and do not have much to wear. So if you happen to have some things your ever growing children can no longer wear or use, please let me know!

The Peapod Project and Heartlight

It was 66 degrees and sunny and felt just like football weather today and I expected to see fall colors in the trees. It's August! Not Yet! Jennifer Naida, Johnny and I walked along the Diversey Harbor. It was part of the run/walk for the Peapod Project for Childrens Memorial. The project was started after a Chicago couple lost their baby shortly after she was born. The nurses saved their daughter's little hat and blanket. They gave them the mementos which they found so important. So now they are making sure families who lose their babies, children or teenagers have resources to help and keepsake boxes. Love this idea! Jennifer and I both have friends who have gone through similar ordeals. Photographs, lockets of hair, anything can be so precious to have.

Can we have the envelope please?

I was one of five judges who helped select the new Miss Teen Long Island and Miss Long Island USA. My dear friend Lori Thomas Donaudy is an outstanding director. She was on time, efficient and detailed. We as judges, were not to discuss the delegates or speak with them outside of interview. Their friends and families ect were also not to approach us until after the competition. Serious stuff! We were not even aware of who was returning or a former runner-up. So until the new queens were announced, I didn't know if I was on the same track with the other judges. These ladies competing were all top notch. I just had to judge based on my point of view only. Turns out we judges were all in sync for such a tight race. The New Miss Teen Long Island is Leanne Pinard. She is making great strides concerning food allergies and restaurants. Even latex gloves or balloons can be deadly for her and many others. The new Miss Long Island, Jamie Bellittieri,looks so much like Ali Landry (Miss USA 1996) on stage. She spent four years wrestling on the BOYS' team in honor of her late brother. Both ladies will do great things this year and they are so fortunate to have Lori quide them along the way. Good luck to you ladies and the others at Miss Teen NY and Miss New York USA! And on a side note, I was thrilled to meet the other judges including the stunning Stephanie Tsarsi. She was Mrs. NY America 05 and 1st Runner-up at Mrs. America. I remember watching her on TV so it was fun to get to know her a bit in person.
1)Jamie, Lori and Leanne
2)Judge Stacy Shands (Ms. Universal Outstanding Woman of Achievement 2009), Dir Lori, myself, and Stephanie Tsarsi (Mrs. NY Amer 05/1st RU Mrs. America)