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Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious? Welcome to another edition of Mommy & Me Monday.....
When I sit in my chair in the family room, at least 4 of our doggies sit with me on the chair (right now there are 5 with me because Nano is on the ottoman), either behind me on the back of the chair or on the arms. Here is a picture of me and Mumbo as we are watching TV {of course my ever
Monday, January 31, 2011
Specials Savings for Valentine's Day All this Week and Next
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Valentine's Day isn't just chocolate and roses. Daily deal sites will be offering a variety of gifts in the coming weeks. Treat your significant other to a dinner out, a new haircut, or a massage. Create a memory together! Many daily deal sites will also feature products from online retailers. There's still plenty of time to ship a gift to a friend or a loved one.
For today however there IS
Valentine's Day isn't just chocolate and roses. Daily deal sites will be offering a variety of gifts in the coming weeks. Treat your significant other to a dinner out, a new haircut, or a massage. Create a memory together! Many daily deal sites will also feature products from online retailers. There's still plenty of time to ship a gift to a friend or a loved one.
For today however there IS
Monday's Music Moves Me - Favorite Group
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Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming
Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming
Sunday, January 30, 2011
365 Project - January 29, 30 and 31: Catching Up Again :)
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As you can see, I'm a little behind in my 365 Project, but I've been doing pretty good. I only missed a couple of days, it's hard for me because I don't get on the computer every day. Some days I'm just not up to doing everything, and Saturday I cooked instead of doing computer work. TeeHee
So, to catch up, here are my three photos:
Suppertime at the Shewbridges
Bissell
As you can see, I'm a little behind in my 365 Project, but I've been doing pretty good. I only missed a couple of days, it's hard for me because I don't get on the computer every day. Some days I'm just not up to doing everything, and Saturday I cooked instead of doing computer work. TeeHee
So, to catch up, here are my three photos:
Suppertime at the Shewbridges
Bissell
Monday Mingle: Non-Vlogging Style
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My dear friend Jennifer (aka Speedy) over at Eighty MPH Mom has been hosting this meme since August 2009 now and I love seeing everyone's post, but I haven't been able to participate because I don't have a webcam or a video camera so don't post vlogs. Well a couple of weeks ago Jennifer announced on her blog that she was opening up Monday Mingle to us non-vloggers... WooHoo!!! So today I am
My dear friend Jennifer (aka Speedy) over at Eighty MPH Mom has been hosting this meme since August 2009 now and I love seeing everyone's post, but I haven't been able to participate because I don't have a webcam or a video camera so don't post vlogs. Well a couple of weeks ago Jennifer announced on her blog that she was opening up Monday Mingle to us non-vloggers... WooHoo!!! So today I am
Bloggy Event: Hearts of Love at Kidsumers and My Little Review Corner
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Maggie Sam
I want to let you know about a FANTABULISTIC event going on over at two of my friends' blogs. Sam at Kidsummers and Maggie at My Little Review Corner have a terrific event that starts tomorrow January 31st and runs all the way through February 14th with over $1400 in prizes available to be won on both sites - and the good news.... prizes will
Maggie Sam
I want to let you know about a FANTABULISTIC event going on over at two of my friends' blogs. Sam at Kidsummers and Maggie at My Little Review Corner have a terrific event that starts tomorrow January 31st and runs all the way through February 14th with over $1400 in prizes available to be won on both sites - and the good news.... prizes will
Friday, January 28, 2011
365 Project - January 28th: Old Glory
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I love taking photos of the flag and this is one of my favorites. It is from Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont where we are trying to move to.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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I love taking photos of the flag and this is one of my favorites. It is from Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont where we are trying to move to.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
25 Years Later - Remembering the Challenger Explosion
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{Image Credit}
On January 28, 1986 the shuttle Challenger exploded 73 after take-off as all of America, and the world,watched killing all 7 crew members including the first member of the "Teacher in Space Program," Christa McAuliffe.
Below is a video of the explosion as it happen (it is graphic, so you may not want your children to see it):
As I watched this video, I remember how
{Image Credit}
On January 28, 1986 the shuttle Challenger exploded 73 after take-off as all of America, and the world,watched killing all 7 crew members including the first member of the "Teacher in Space Program," Christa McAuliffe.
Below is a video of the explosion as it happen (it is graphic, so you may not want your children to see it):
As I watched this video, I remember how
365 Project - January 27th: My Refrigerator
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I was looking at the side of my refrigerator and noticed all the colorful things on it and decided to take a photograph to share with all of you.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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I was looking at the side of my refrigerator and noticed all the colorful things on it and decided to take a photograph to share with all of you.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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My Review of Bear’s Stairs™ Five-Step Mini Value Line Pet Stairs in Beige
Originally submitted at CSN Stores
Pet steps are fast becoming an indispensable aid for concerned owners who value the independence of their pets. Pet stairs are useful not only for elderly or infirm dogs and cats but for little creatures that cannot reach their favorite places without jumping or human assistance. Bear’s Stairs™ Five-Step Mini Value Line Pet Stairs in Beige
Perfect for our
Pet steps are fast becoming an indispensable aid for concerned owners who value the independence of their pets. Pet stairs are useful not only for elderly or infirm dogs and cats but for little creatures that cannot reach their favorite places without jumping or human assistance. Bear’s Stairs™ Five-Step Mini Value Line Pet Stairs in Beige
Perfect for our
Wanting Less
Imagine it, wanting less? Hard to believe, right? In a society where “more is better,” we are pretty much hard coded to want more. Studies have shown that a one of a baby’s first words frequently is “more.” More money, yes please. More muscle, awesome. More energy, I’ll have two redbulls please.
We homebrewers are guilty of this as well. More hops, more grains, multiple yeast strains, tons of alternative ingredients. Heck, a few weeks ago I brewed a barley wine (a style that is the epitome of more) with grape juice and French oak cubes. Guilty!
Is it wrong to occasionally want less? I think the answer is no as long as the answer doesn’t involve less flavor, but more of a focus on simplicity versus layers of flavor. This leads me to the point of this post. I’d like to develop an easy drinking house brew to have around during the summers and to bring to picnics and barbecues. I've decided on brewing a blonde ale. Back to the lab.
I think I'm going to do somewhat of an experiment by brewing the same recipe and fermenting 1/2 with a Kolsch/German type strain and the other 1/2 with a Belgian Golden Ale type strain and see which I prefer. Belgian Blonde vs. German Blonde show down 2011.
I pretty much already have the ingredients and I just need to set aside some time to brew. Perhaps this weekend!
Dreaming of blondes (ale),
Holz
We homebrewers are guilty of this as well. More hops, more grains, multiple yeast strains, tons of alternative ingredients. Heck, a few weeks ago I brewed a barley wine (a style that is the epitome of more) with grape juice and French oak cubes. Guilty!
Is it wrong to occasionally want less? I think the answer is no as long as the answer doesn’t involve less flavor, but more of a focus on simplicity versus layers of flavor. This leads me to the point of this post. I’d like to develop an easy drinking house brew to have around during the summers and to bring to picnics and barbecues. I've decided on brewing a blonde ale. Back to the lab.
I think I'm going to do somewhat of an experiment by brewing the same recipe and fermenting 1/2 with a Kolsch/German type strain and the other 1/2 with a Belgian Golden Ale type strain and see which I prefer. Belgian Blonde vs. German Blonde show down 2011.
I pretty much already have the ingredients and I just need to set aside some time to brew. Perhaps this weekend!
Dreaming of blondes (ale),
Holz
Educating the Medical World about Carcinoid Cancer - One Dentist at a Time
I had my first appointment with my new dentist, Dr. Goldberg. Of course, in my new patient packet, I had to fill out a general Patient Medical History. You know the form; it's the one that lists a million possible illnesses - diabetes, heart disease, cancer etc - and you just check "yes" or "no" next to each one, indicating whether or not you have ever been diagnosed or treated for the illness in question. I have to admit, it felt a little weird checking off the "yes" box next to "cancer" for the first time, and writing in "carcinoid" in the space provided for "type".
After routine x-rays and a cleaning by a very friendly dental hygienist, I met Dr. Goldberg - who started with the normal chit-chat while reading over my file. Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence and asked, "Carcinoid cancer? What's that? I've never even heard of that before."
I launched into my normal spiel: "It's a rare form of cancer caused by neuroendocrine tumors, which secrete hormones. Unlike other cancers, these types of tumors can grow in many different places, including the lungs and digestive system."
Dr. Goldberg: "How did they find it?"
Me: "They actually found it by accident. I was having surgery to remove a potentially cancerous ovarian cyst when my doctor thought my appendix looked deformed so she removed it; the tumor was inside. They think I must have had the cancer for at least 5-years becuase the tumor was so big, and I had to get several lymph nodes removed and have a right hemicolectomy to stop it from spreading."
Dr. Goldberg: "What's a hemicolectomy?"
Me: "It's when you take out half of the colon. I had it done at Sloan Kettering, and they did an amazing job. The most incredible part is that my surgeon was able to do the entire surgery through one port - meaning, one laparoscopic incision."
Awkward Pause... followed by me asking Dr. Goldberg if he wanted to see the scar. He said he really did, but didn't want to ask. So, I gingerly, slightly lifted up my sweater to reveal the small quarter-size scar above my bellybutton.
He gasped: "I can't believe it. That's absolutely amazing. They were able to get all that out through there?" Yup. Believe it doc.
It is insanely crazy when you really think about it - what they can do with surgeries now. However, even with the less-invasive surgeries, it's important to note that not all laparoscopies are the same. In fact, Dr. Nash was the only doctor I consulted with who could do a single-incision laparscopic right hemicolectomy. Even the renowned NJ Cancer Institute, where my surgery was initially scheduled, would have made at least 3 incisions for their laparscopic procedure. One port not only reduces scarring (I already had three from the first surgery), but it is also safer because there is only one potential infection site. This was especially lucky for me since my wound did get infected...can you imagine if I had three infected, open wounds? Just another reason why (as my students say): I <3 Sloan Kettering.
After routine x-rays and a cleaning by a very friendly dental hygienist, I met Dr. Goldberg - who started with the normal chit-chat while reading over my file. Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence and asked, "Carcinoid cancer? What's that? I've never even heard of that before."
I launched into my normal spiel: "It's a rare form of cancer caused by neuroendocrine tumors, which secrete hormones. Unlike other cancers, these types of tumors can grow in many different places, including the lungs and digestive system."
Dr. Goldberg: "How did they find it?"
Me: "They actually found it by accident. I was having surgery to remove a potentially cancerous ovarian cyst when my doctor thought my appendix looked deformed so she removed it; the tumor was inside. They think I must have had the cancer for at least 5-years becuase the tumor was so big, and I had to get several lymph nodes removed and have a right hemicolectomy to stop it from spreading."
Dr. Goldberg: "What's a hemicolectomy?"
Me: "It's when you take out half of the colon. I had it done at Sloan Kettering, and they did an amazing job. The most incredible part is that my surgeon was able to do the entire surgery through one port - meaning, one laparoscopic incision."
Awkward Pause... followed by me asking Dr. Goldberg if he wanted to see the scar. He said he really did, but didn't want to ask. So, I gingerly, slightly lifted up my sweater to reveal the small quarter-size scar above my bellybutton.
He gasped: "I can't believe it. That's absolutely amazing. They were able to get all that out through there?" Yup. Believe it doc.
It is insanely crazy when you really think about it - what they can do with surgeries now. However, even with the less-invasive surgeries, it's important to note that not all laparoscopies are the same. In fact, Dr. Nash was the only doctor I consulted with who could do a single-incision laparscopic right hemicolectomy. Even the renowned NJ Cancer Institute, where my surgery was initially scheduled, would have made at least 3 incisions for their laparscopic procedure. One port not only reduces scarring (I already had three from the first surgery), but it is also safer because there is only one potential infection site. This was especially lucky for me since my wound did get infected...can you imagine if I had three infected, open wounds? Just another reason why (as my students say): I <3 Sloan Kettering.
Three-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (top) - NJ Cancer Institute
vs.
Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery (bottom) - Sloan Kettering
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
365 Project & Wordless Wednesday - January 26th: Mandie Kathryn Shewbridge
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WORDLESS
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!
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WORDLESS
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011
My Wife, Your Wife, Baltimore's Alewife
Alewife. Great sounding word, eh? It brings visions of a beautiful woman with cold ale waiting for you after a hard day of work. Actually, pretty close to most nights in the HolzBrew house (needless to say, I'm a lucky man).
In addition, to being a cool sounding word it is a new beer bar in Baltimore (just opened in December). One of my oldest and best friends hosted his 30th birthday party there this past weekend. The beer selection was strong. I had a Old Rasputin on nitro, a Stone Vertical Epic 07.07.07 (how did they get a hold of this?), and a Greenflash IPA. The food was nothing to sneeze at either. I heavily recommend the smoke burger! The location is close to the Hippodrome and the building is very cool and unique. The only real set back was that the kitchen had difficulty serving our entire party at once. Hopefully they'll iron out the kinks in the coming months.
If you live in Baltimore and like beer, you have no excuse not to try this place. Another pleasant surprise, an old friend from Centennial High School tends bar there. Ask for Jared and remember to tip your waitstaff.
Stay classy,
HolzBrew
Monday, January 24, 2011
365 Project - Catch Up: Boy Has It Been Crazy Around Here
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OK, so I know that I am SO far behind in posting my daily photos... It has been really busy and I had a migraine one day last week. Then on Friday we helped out our friend who owns the dry cleaner and worked there for him all day on Friday, 7:30am - 6:00pm, talk about a long day.
I took a lot of photos, just didn't get a chance to upload them or post them. We even took Nano, Lady Mia and
OK, so I know that I am SO far behind in posting my daily photos... It has been really busy and I had a migraine one day last week. Then on Friday we helped out our friend who owns the dry cleaner and worked there for him all day on Friday, 7:30am - 6:00pm, talk about a long day.
I took a lot of photos, just didn't get a chance to upload them or post them. We even took Nano, Lady Mia and
Monday's Music Moves Me: More Songs from High School
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Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
An Important Message from Life is a Sandcastle
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A fellow blogger has posted this and I wanted to pass it on.....
Life is a Sandcastle: Important!!: "Here is the real deal, anyone one of us could wake up to find their child has cancer tomorrow. I know a scary fear right, and for other mom's it is the nightmare that came true. A child has it right now, Coupon Mommy of 3 daughter. I can only imagine the shock and pain the family is under right
A fellow blogger has posted this and I wanted to pass it on.....
Life is a Sandcastle: Important!!: "Here is the real deal, anyone one of us could wake up to find their child has cancer tomorrow. I know a scary fear right, and for other mom's it is the nightmare that came true. A child has it right now, Coupon Mommy of 3 daughter. I can only imagine the shock and pain the family is under right
Stylish Blogger Award ~ Aw, Shucks, You Shouldn't Have.....
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I have been blessed by two of my dear friends, Joanie of Joanie's Random Ramblings and the wonderful Marie of XmasDolly to be given the Stylish Blogger Award. I am so grateful to both of these women because I find them both to be so sweet and generous and loving that I am beyond words in how to say thank you.
Joanie is the mother of 3 grown children and in a relationship with the love of
I have been blessed by two of my dear friends, Joanie of Joanie's Random Ramblings and the wonderful Marie of XmasDolly to be given the Stylish Blogger Award. I am so grateful to both of these women because I find them both to be so sweet and generous and loving that I am beyond words in how to say thank you.
Joanie is the mother of 3 grown children and in a relationship with the love of
Friday, January 21, 2011
Ask Governor Chris Christie (NJ) to Support NET and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness
Today was another snow day, and I took the opportunity to grade essays, sleep-in past 4:30 am, and write an email to Governor Chris Christie (NJ) - asking that he join the other 16 US governors who have signed proclamations in support of NET and Carcinoid cancer awareness:
Dear Governor Chris Christie,
As a New Jersey resident and survivor of carcinoid cancer, I am writing to you in hopes that you will become the 17th governor to proclaim November 10th as Worldwide NET and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day.
Last April, at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer, which is a rare cancer caused by neroendocrine tumors. I was sick for over 5 years, but because carcinoid cancer is so rare, doctors didn't suspect it as the cause of my illness. When they finally did discover the neuroendocrine tumor in my appendix, it had grown so large that I had to have several lymph nodes and 1/2 of my colon removed at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in order to stop any further spread of this deadly disease. (To learn more about my personal journey in fighting carcinoid, visit my blog: channelingjackieo.blogspot.com)
At the end of last school year, I made the difficult decision of sharing my carcinoid cancer diagnosis with the students, faculty and staff of Paramus Catholic High School (PC), where I teach 11th and 12th grade English. The outpouring of love and support from the PC community was overwhelming and humbling. I managed to convince my doctors to wait until the summer to schedule my surgery, so that I could finish out the school year. When I returned to the classroom this September, I was inspired and moved by the students' continued care and concern, and their commitment to raising awareness about this rare cancer.
November 10, 2010 was the first ever "Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day" (WNCAD), and the PC students designed their own mini-campaign to educate the school community about my rare cancer. In particular, students featured zebra stripes (carcinoid awareness ribbon colors) on the morning news broadcast; decorated bulletin boards with carcinoid information; and distributed carcinoid awareness pamphlets, pins, stickers and bracelets. Most impressively perhaps, they gathered 792 signatures for the WNCAD Proclamation (which can be found at www.netcancerday.org). In fact, the Paramus Catholic students' efforts were featured by the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation's blog (www.carcioniod.org and carcinoid.wordpress.com).
Won't you please join in the campaign to increase awareness about NET cancers and join 16 other governors in declaring November 10th as Neurendocrine and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day?
Thank you,
Marlena Johnston
16 Governors Proclaim November 10th as Worldwide NET and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day: Deval Patrick (Massachusetts), Arnold Schwarzenegger (California), Bobby Jindal (Louisiana), Brian Scweitzer (Montana), Pat Quinn (Illinois), Dave Heineman (Nebraska), Haley Barbour (Mississippi), Chet Culver (Iowa), Mark Parkinson (Kansas), Brad Henry (Oklahoma), Mike Beebe (Arkansas), Jennifer Granholm (Michigan), David Paterson (New York), M. Jodi Rell (Connecticut), Jay Nixon (Missouri), Jim Doyle (Wisconsin).
_______________________________________________________
If you would like to help convince Chris Christie to issue a WNCAD proclamation, simply copy and past the below email and submit it online HERE.
Dear Governor Christie,
One of your constituents - a teacher at Paramus Catholic High School and carcinoid cancer survivor, Marlena Johnston - recently requested your support in the campaign to raise awareness for neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid cancers. I support her in her efforts, and respectfully ask that you join the governors of: Massachusetts, California, Louisiana, Montana, Illinois, Nebraska, Mississippi, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin in proclaiming November 10th as "Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day".
Thank you,
(your name)
Dear Governor Chris Christie,
As a New Jersey resident and survivor of carcinoid cancer, I am writing to you in hopes that you will become the 17th governor to proclaim November 10th as Worldwide NET and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day.
Last April, at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer, which is a rare cancer caused by neroendocrine tumors. I was sick for over 5 years, but because carcinoid cancer is so rare, doctors didn't suspect it as the cause of my illness. When they finally did discover the neuroendocrine tumor in my appendix, it had grown so large that I had to have several lymph nodes and 1/2 of my colon removed at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in order to stop any further spread of this deadly disease. (To learn more about my personal journey in fighting carcinoid, visit my blog: channelingjackieo.blogspot.com)
At the end of last school year, I made the difficult decision of sharing my carcinoid cancer diagnosis with the students, faculty and staff of Paramus Catholic High School (PC), where I teach 11th and 12th grade English. The outpouring of love and support from the PC community was overwhelming and humbling. I managed to convince my doctors to wait until the summer to schedule my surgery, so that I could finish out the school year. When I returned to the classroom this September, I was inspired and moved by the students' continued care and concern, and their commitment to raising awareness about this rare cancer.
November 10, 2010 was the first ever "Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day" (WNCAD), and the PC students designed their own mini-campaign to educate the school community about my rare cancer. In particular, students featured zebra stripes (carcinoid awareness ribbon colors) on the morning news broadcast; decorated bulletin boards with carcinoid information; and distributed carcinoid awareness pamphlets, pins, stickers and bracelets. Most impressively perhaps, they gathered 792 signatures for the WNCAD Proclamation (which can be found at www.netcancerday.org). In fact, the Paramus Catholic students' efforts were featured by the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation's blog (www.carcioniod.org and carcinoid.wordpress.com).
Won't you please join in the campaign to increase awareness about NET cancers and join 16 other governors in declaring November 10th as Neurendocrine and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day?
Thank you,
Marlena Johnston
16 Governors Proclaim November 10th as Worldwide NET and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Day: Deval Patrick (Massachusetts), Arnold Schwarzenegger (California), Bobby Jindal (Louisiana), Brian Scweitzer (Montana), Pat Quinn (Illinois), Dave Heineman (Nebraska), Haley Barbour (Mississippi), Chet Culver (Iowa), Mark Parkinson (Kansas), Brad Henry (Oklahoma), Mike Beebe (Arkansas), Jennifer Granholm (Michigan), David Paterson (New York), M. Jodi Rell (Connecticut), Jay Nixon (Missouri), Jim Doyle (Wisconsin).
_______________________________________________________
If you would like to help convince Chris Christie to issue a WNCAD proclamation, simply copy and past the below email and submit it online HERE.
Dear Governor Christie,
One of your constituents - a teacher at Paramus Catholic High School and carcinoid cancer survivor, Marlena Johnston - recently requested your support in the campaign to raise awareness for neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid cancers. I support her in her efforts, and respectfully ask that you join the governors of: Massachusetts, California, Louisiana, Montana, Illinois, Nebraska, Mississippi, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Missouri and Wisconsin in proclaiming November 10th as "Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day".
Thank you,
(your name)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
365 Project - January 18th & 19th and Wordless Wednesday
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WORDLESS
Peek-a-Boo Nano
Silly Bill Trying to Make Me Smile
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments,
WORDLESS
Peek-a-Boo Nano
Silly Bill Trying to Make Me Smile
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments,
Yale Medical School Graduation Address
A friend of mine sent me an email with a light blue hyper-link at the bottom. The email itself was short: "Do yourself a favor and watch this lecture. It won't take long... 15 minutes max. I promise it will inspire you. I would not send something that wouldn't!"
I deeply trust and respect this friend, so in an effort to try to nurture myself as much as I nurture my students, I closed my grade book, put down my red pen, and followed the link to a videotaped keynote address given at a medical conference in Southern California by Dr. Donald M. Berwick, President and CEO for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
First impressions - this guy was not going to win any "charisma awards" anytime soon ... he was monotone, circuitous, and flat; I began to doubt my friend and started eying the stack of senior essays neatly piled on my desk.
About six minutes into the video clip, Dr. Berwick finally got to the good stuff. He explained that for the conference keynote address he would actually be "redelivering" his graduation address to the Yale Medical School class of 2010. His whole demeanour changed; I sat back and gave him my attention.
Anyone who has been very ill, or loved someone who has been very ill, should watch this video. If you prefer to read it - you can find the text HERE. Personally, I found it more moving to hear Dr. Berwick deliver it himself (despite the bumpy start) which you can find HERE.
His remarks were largely focused around an email he got from a woman, Mrs. Gruzenski, who wrote to him advocating for an administrative change to hospital visiting hour policies. Her email explained the cruelty of being strictly limited to only seeing her husband, Dr. Gruzenski, to four times a day for 30 minutes during the last few days of his life in the ICU. A small portion of Dr. Berwick's remarks appear below:
"...We will have to imagine ourselves there. 'My husband and I loved each other very deeply,' she writes to me, 'and we wanted to share our last days and moments together. We both knew the gravity of his illness, and my husband wanted quality of life, not quantity.'
What might a husband and wife of 19 years, aware of the short time left together, wish to talk about - wish to do- in the last days? I don't know for Dr. and Mrs. Gruzenski. But, I do know for me.
I would talk about our children. I would talk about the best trip we ever took together, and even argue, smiling about whose idea it was. I would remember the black bear we met in a clearing in the Wrangell - St. Elias Range; the cabin at Assiniboine; the Jotenheim mountains of Norway. I would remember being lost in Kyoto and lost in Prague and lost on Mount Washington, and always found again. Mushroom soup at Cafe Budapest. And seeing Jessica born, and Ben, and Dan, and Becca.
We would have so much to talk about. So much. The nurses would pad in and out of the hospital room, checking i.v.s and measuring pulses and planning their dinners and weekends. And none of what the nurses and doctors did would matter to us at all; we wouldn't even notice them. We would know exactly who the visitors were - they, the doctors and nurses. They, they would be the visitors in this tiny corner of our whole lives together - they, not us. In the John Denver song it goes this way, '... and all the time that you're with me, we will be at home.'
Someone stole all of that from Dr. and Mrs. Gruzenski. A nameless someone. I suspect an unknowing someone. Someone who did not understand who was at home and who was the guest - who was the intruder. Someone who forgot about the black bear and the best mushroom soup we ever had - the jewels of shared experience that glimmer with meaning in our lives. Someone who put the i.v. first, and the soul second.
...In return for your years of learning and your dedication to a life of service and your willingness to take an oath to that duty, society will give you access and rights that it gives to no one else. Society will allow you to hear secrets from frightened human beings that they are too scared to tell anyone else. Society will permit you to use drugs and instruments that can do great harm as well as great good, and that in the hands of others would be weapons. Society will give you special titles and spaces of privilege, as if you were priests. Society will let you build walls and write rules.
And in that role, with that power, you will meet Dr. and Mrs. Gurzenski over, and over, and over again. You will meet them every day - every hour. They will be in disguise.
...Decide. You can read the rules. Or, you can say, 'Pardon me'. 'Pardon this unwelcome interruption in your lives. Thank you for inviting me to help. Thank you for letting me visit. I am your guest, and I know it. Now, please, Mrs. Gruzenski, Dr. Gruzenski, what may I do for you?'
...You must take your white coat off. You must recover, embrace, and treasure the memory of your shared, frail humanity - of the dignity in each and every soul. When you take off that white coat in the sacred presence of those for whom you will care - in the sacred presence of people just like you - when you take off that white coat, and, tower not over them, but join those you serve, you become a healer in a world of fear and fragmentation, an 'aching' world as your Chaplain put it this morning, that has never needed healing more."
________________________________________________________________
Thank you to all my doctors who were and continue to be truly part of my healing - and always put Gary and I before the cancer. Dr. Nash, Dr. Wagreich, Dr. Maloney Patel - thank you for taking your white coats off and helping me every step of the way in my fight against this disease, instead of forcing me into battle alone. I can never thank you enough.
I deeply trust and respect this friend, so in an effort to try to nurture myself as much as I nurture my students, I closed my grade book, put down my red pen, and followed the link to a videotaped keynote address given at a medical conference in Southern California by Dr. Donald M. Berwick, President and CEO for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
First impressions - this guy was not going to win any "charisma awards" anytime soon ... he was monotone, circuitous, and flat; I began to doubt my friend and started eying the stack of senior essays neatly piled on my desk.
About six minutes into the video clip, Dr. Berwick finally got to the good stuff. He explained that for the conference keynote address he would actually be "redelivering" his graduation address to the Yale Medical School class of 2010. His whole demeanour changed; I sat back and gave him my attention.
Anyone who has been very ill, or loved someone who has been very ill, should watch this video. If you prefer to read it - you can find the text HERE. Personally, I found it more moving to hear Dr. Berwick deliver it himself (despite the bumpy start) which you can find HERE.
His remarks were largely focused around an email he got from a woman, Mrs. Gruzenski, who wrote to him advocating for an administrative change to hospital visiting hour policies. Her email explained the cruelty of being strictly limited to only seeing her husband, Dr. Gruzenski, to four times a day for 30 minutes during the last few days of his life in the ICU. A small portion of Dr. Berwick's remarks appear below:
"...We will have to imagine ourselves there. 'My husband and I loved each other very deeply,' she writes to me, 'and we wanted to share our last days and moments together. We both knew the gravity of his illness, and my husband wanted quality of life, not quantity.'
What might a husband and wife of 19 years, aware of the short time left together, wish to talk about - wish to do- in the last days? I don't know for Dr. and Mrs. Gruzenski. But, I do know for me.
I would talk about our children. I would talk about the best trip we ever took together, and even argue, smiling about whose idea it was. I would remember the black bear we met in a clearing in the Wrangell - St. Elias Range; the cabin at Assiniboine; the Jotenheim mountains of Norway. I would remember being lost in Kyoto and lost in Prague and lost on Mount Washington, and always found again. Mushroom soup at Cafe Budapest. And seeing Jessica born, and Ben, and Dan, and Becca.
We would have so much to talk about. So much. The nurses would pad in and out of the hospital room, checking i.v.s and measuring pulses and planning their dinners and weekends. And none of what the nurses and doctors did would matter to us at all; we wouldn't even notice them. We would know exactly who the visitors were - they, the doctors and nurses. They, they would be the visitors in this tiny corner of our whole lives together - they, not us. In the John Denver song it goes this way, '... and all the time that you're with me, we will be at home.'
Someone stole all of that from Dr. and Mrs. Gruzenski. A nameless someone. I suspect an unknowing someone. Someone who did not understand who was at home and who was the guest - who was the intruder. Someone who forgot about the black bear and the best mushroom soup we ever had - the jewels of shared experience that glimmer with meaning in our lives. Someone who put the i.v. first, and the soul second.
...In return for your years of learning and your dedication to a life of service and your willingness to take an oath to that duty, society will give you access and rights that it gives to no one else. Society will allow you to hear secrets from frightened human beings that they are too scared to tell anyone else. Society will permit you to use drugs and instruments that can do great harm as well as great good, and that in the hands of others would be weapons. Society will give you special titles and spaces of privilege, as if you were priests. Society will let you build walls and write rules.
And in that role, with that power, you will meet Dr. and Mrs. Gurzenski over, and over, and over again. You will meet them every day - every hour. They will be in disguise.
...Decide. You can read the rules. Or, you can say, 'Pardon me'. 'Pardon this unwelcome interruption in your lives. Thank you for inviting me to help. Thank you for letting me visit. I am your guest, and I know it. Now, please, Mrs. Gruzenski, Dr. Gruzenski, what may I do for you?'
...You must take your white coat off. You must recover, embrace, and treasure the memory of your shared, frail humanity - of the dignity in each and every soul. When you take off that white coat in the sacred presence of those for whom you will care - in the sacred presence of people just like you - when you take off that white coat, and, tower not over them, but join those you serve, you become a healer in a world of fear and fragmentation, an 'aching' world as your Chaplain put it this morning, that has never needed healing more."
________________________________________________________________
Thank you to all my doctors who were and continue to be truly part of my healing - and always put Gary and I before the cancer. Dr. Nash, Dr. Wagreich, Dr. Maloney Patel - thank you for taking your white coats off and helping me every step of the way in my fight against this disease, instead of forcing me into battle alone. I can never thank you enough.
Cartoon of the Day: Social Anxiety
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I suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder, so when I saw this cartoon, it really made me crack up. It's good to be able to laugh at yourself, it helps you get through the day.....
Hope you're having a great day... what are you up to?
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I suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder, so when I saw this cartoon, it really made me crack up. It's good to be able to laugh at yourself, it helps you get through the day.....
Hope you're having a great day... what are you up to?
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Monday, January 17, 2011
365 Project - January 17th: Sweet Tea
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Down here in Florida, when you order iced tea, you have to specify whether you want sweet tea or unsweetened.... since we are really in the south and sweet tea is the best down here in the south.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
Down here in Florida, when you order iced tea, you have to specify whether you want sweet tea or unsweetened.... since we are really in the south and sweet tea is the best down here in the south.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
Mommy and Me Monday: Mandie Hate's the Cold
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Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious? I haven't participated in this meme in quite some time and I have really missed it, so I a glad to be back. We go out to breakfast on Sunday mornings at our favorite Irish Pub, Shannon's of Celebration, and we bring Nano, Lady Mia, and Mandie with us. It got too cold for poor Mandie yesterday (as it does on several mornings) because she as less
Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious? I haven't participated in this meme in quite some time and I have really missed it, so I a glad to be back. We go out to breakfast on Sunday mornings at our favorite Irish Pub, Shannon's of Celebration, and we bring Nano, Lady Mia, and Mandie with us. It got too cold for poor Mandie yesterday (as it does on several mornings) because she as less
Pastina, Ramen, and Falafel: Jersey Comfort Food
This Christmas break, I was sick; really sick. (Luckily my body had the good sense to wait to completely fall apart until I had some time off from teaching. It's hard enough to function when you're feeling lousy - try being "on stage" in front of a 140+ teenagers while feeling lousy.) To help lift my spirits, periodically throughout the week-long holiday, Gary would make my favorite childhood comfort food: Pastina.
When I moved to California, Pastina was next to impossible to find outside of an Italian specialty store. Here in New Jersey, boxes of Pastina line the shelves of every grocery store. Growing up, I was plagued by severe ear infections, and my Sicilian mother would make me heaping bowls full of these little pasta stars, mixed with butter and salt, whenever my ears would ring and bleed; for me, Pastina remains the epitome of comfort food.
But not even Pastina sounded good last week, during our second snow day of the season. Usually teachers love snow days as much as the kids, but I woke up with nausia, a fever, and a soar throat. So Gary, our friend Chaya and I sought out some relief from the cold at the bottom of a steaming bowl of hot ramen soup at Rai Rai Ramen in New Brunswick, NJ.
Magnet from Rai Rai Ramen - Permanently Stuck On Our Fridge.
It was so delicious - salty and sweet, with hot steaming noodles to slurp up.
And wouldn't you know it - this Martin Luther King Jr. long weekend, I once again came down with a fever, soar throat and joint pain - and once again, Gary and I went in search of some comforting food. This time, we found ourselves at a vegetarian mecca: Maoz Vegetarian - which is a "fast food" chain specializing in authentic falafel and vegetarian food.
The restaurant chain has not only gotten some major press, but it is also pretty easy to spot - it's floor to ceiling green tile with a couple of wooden benches. In addition to six US locations, there are Maoz Vegetarian franchise restaurants in The Netherlands, UK, France and Spain.
Gary Checking Out Menu at Maoz in New Brunswick, NJ
I ordered a falafel and Belgian fries, and loved every bite. Perhaps you are noticing a trend? While all of my comfort food is delicious, for the most part it's also simply prepared and vegetarian.
Gary and I are both trying to eat more organic food, and be socially responsible in our food choices. What does this mean? Basically, it means that we are trying to eat real food instead of "edible foodlike substances", and we won't eat meat unless it comes from an organic farm that raises and slaughters its own meat, such as Griggstown Farm or Simply Grazin (both in Princeton, NJ). Our general lifestyle change has been inspired by Michael Pollan's books (In Defense of Food, Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules), Foer's book Eating Animals, and food documentaries including Food Inc. and Fresh.
As a cancer survivor, it's important to limit any exposure to harmful carcinogens, and controlling what I put into my body is a critical step in my ongoing fight against a recurrence of carcinoid cancer. Now, if I drink milk - it's whole milk from grass-fed, hormone-free cows; if I eat a granola bar - it has only a handful of organic, easily-recognizable ingredients... I check labels, I do research, I make sure I know what I'm digesting. I think that every cancer patient should read and watch the above resources, so that they can learn what to eat in order to increase their (and the planet's) chances of survival. If you don't have time to read a book or watch a documentary, try using a mobile-tool such as "fooducate" (for the iphone) to help make healthier choices in the grocery store.
When I moved to California, Pastina was next to impossible to find outside of an Italian specialty store. Here in New Jersey, boxes of Pastina line the shelves of every grocery store. Growing up, I was plagued by severe ear infections, and my Sicilian mother would make me heaping bowls full of these little pasta stars, mixed with butter and salt, whenever my ears would ring and bleed; for me, Pastina remains the epitome of comfort food.
But not even Pastina sounded good last week, during our second snow day of the season. Usually teachers love snow days as much as the kids, but I woke up with nausia, a fever, and a soar throat. So Gary, our friend Chaya and I sought out some relief from the cold at the bottom of a steaming bowl of hot ramen soup at Rai Rai Ramen in New Brunswick, NJ.
Magnet from Rai Rai Ramen - Permanently Stuck On Our Fridge.
It was so delicious - salty and sweet, with hot steaming noodles to slurp up.
And wouldn't you know it - this Martin Luther King Jr. long weekend, I once again came down with a fever, soar throat and joint pain - and once again, Gary and I went in search of some comforting food. This time, we found ourselves at a vegetarian mecca: Maoz Vegetarian - which is a "fast food" chain specializing in authentic falafel and vegetarian food.
The restaurant chain has not only gotten some major press, but it is also pretty easy to spot - it's floor to ceiling green tile with a couple of wooden benches. In addition to six US locations, there are Maoz Vegetarian franchise restaurants in The Netherlands, UK, France and Spain.
Gary Checking Out Menu at Maoz in New Brunswick, NJ
Gary and I are both trying to eat more organic food, and be socially responsible in our food choices. What does this mean? Basically, it means that we are trying to eat real food instead of "edible foodlike substances", and we won't eat meat unless it comes from an organic farm that raises and slaughters its own meat, such as Griggstown Farm or Simply Grazin (both in Princeton, NJ). Our general lifestyle change has been inspired by Michael Pollan's books (In Defense of Food, Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules), Foer's book Eating Animals, and food documentaries including Food Inc. and Fresh.
As a cancer survivor, it's important to limit any exposure to harmful carcinogens, and controlling what I put into my body is a critical step in my ongoing fight against a recurrence of carcinoid cancer. Now, if I drink milk - it's whole milk from grass-fed, hormone-free cows; if I eat a granola bar - it has only a handful of organic, easily-recognizable ingredients... I check labels, I do research, I make sure I know what I'm digesting. I think that every cancer patient should read and watch the above resources, so that they can learn what to eat in order to increase their (and the planet's) chances of survival. If you don't have time to read a book or watch a documentary, try using a mobile-tool such as "fooducate" (for the iphone) to help make healthier choices in the grocery store.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Monday's Music Moves Me: Did My Hair Really Look Like That???
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Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming
Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming
365 Post - January 16th: Lady Mia
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This is my little Lady Mia lying on the chair asking to have her belly rubbed... She and Nano are the ones who really love to have their bellies scratched, the other babies, not so much.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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This is my little Lady Mia lying on the chair asking to have her belly rubbed... She and Nano are the ones who really love to have their bellies scratched, the other babies, not so much.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation - Twitter Party
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Gift of Life is a national, publicly available bone marrow registry and cord blood bank that serves patients all over the world for bone marrow transplants. And they are currently trying to find a match for Ezra, a 22-month-old boy who loves the alphabet, music and his tricycle with a rare primary immune deficiency called Hyper IgM Syndrome, and others like him. The only cure is a stem
Gift of Life is a national, publicly available bone marrow registry and cord blood bank that serves patients all over the world for bone marrow transplants. And they are currently trying to find a match for Ezra, a 22-month-old boy who loves the alphabet, music and his tricycle with a rare primary immune deficiency called Hyper IgM Syndrome, and others like him. The only cure is a stem
Personalized Items at Discounted Prices
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I have some great savings for you if you are in need of some wonderful personalized items for yourself or to give as gifts. Vistaprint.com offers wonderfully designed buisness cards along with several different kinds of personalized items using your own photographs, like a calendar for just $1.00 - how awesome is that.
You also know how much I love jewelry, take a look at the beautiful
I have some great savings for you if you are in need of some wonderful personalized items for yourself or to give as gifts. Vistaprint.com offers wonderfully designed buisness cards along with several different kinds of personalized items using your own photographs, like a calendar for just $1.00 - how awesome is that.
You also know how much I love jewelry, take a look at the beautiful
Monks (Cafe) and Madness
(the view of Logan Circle from our hotel balcony)
Meg and I took a quick 24 hour trip to Philly this weekend, just to get out of town. We did the obligatory Philly touristy things. We had cheesesteaks and went to the art museum. We also went to the famous Monk's Cafe for dinner and experienced the madness that is Monk's Cafe. First, despair, upon hearing that the wait for a table would be at least an hour. Then, hope, when a single seat at the bar became open after a few minutes. Next, satisfaction, after getting the bar man's attention after patiently waiting for 15 minutes and eventually tasting some their fine libations.
Eventually a second seat opened at the bar and we had dinner there. We each put in for an order mussels and frites. I had a Monk's Cafe Flemish ale there which was pretty cool. All in all it was a cool experience, but the place was packed and they only had one bartender. With all the press and the great reputation I can't believe they haven't expanded that place.
-Holz
Saturday, January 15, 2011
365 Project - January 15th: Dinner with Friends from Connecticut
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We had some friends from Connecticut who we haven't seen in six years come down for vacation and we were lucky enough to get together with them for dinner on their last night here. We took them to one of our favorite restaurants in town, The Celebration Town Tavern. Their 14 year old daughter, Nicoletta, decided she wanted the lobster - which is absolutely delicious. She ate the whole thing (
We had some friends from Connecticut who we haven't seen in six years come down for vacation and we were lucky enough to get together with them for dinner on their last night here. We took them to one of our favorite restaurants in town, The Celebration Town Tavern. Their 14 year old daughter, Nicoletta, decided she wanted the lobster - which is absolutely delicious. She ate the whole thing (
Friday, January 14, 2011
365 Project - January 14th: Gorgeous Sunset
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Coming out of the grocery store we saw this awesome sky... I only wish I was able to take a photo about 20 minutes later when it was even more red and it looked like it was on FIRE. Enjoy:
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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Coming out of the grocery store we saw this awesome sky... I only wish I was able to take a photo about 20 minutes later when it was even more red and it looked like it was on FIRE. Enjoy:
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
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The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights 2010
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On January 3rd (the very last night of the event), Bill and I went to Disney World Hollywood Studios so we could see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It is the most amazing display of Christmas lights EVER, along with Christmas music AND on some night there is even a "snow" fall. It is such a magical experience that you cannot help but smile throughout the whole display.
On January 3rd (the very last night of the event), Bill and I went to Disney World Hollywood Studios so we could see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It is the most amazing display of Christmas lights EVER, along with Christmas music AND on some night there is even a "snow" fall. It is such a magical experience that you cannot help but smile throughout the whole display.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
365 Project - January 13th: Mickey Mouse at Walmart
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While shopping at Walmart today, I saw this adorable Mickey Mouse juice bottle and HAD to take a photo of it to share. I almost bought it, but wasn't going to waste $1.29 for 6oz. of juice.... I'm cheap!!
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
While shopping at Walmart today, I saw this adorable Mickey Mouse juice bottle and HAD to take a photo of it to share. I almost bought it, but wasn't going to waste $1.29 for 6oz. of juice.... I'm cheap!!
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
365 Project - January 11th & 12th: Winter in Connecticut
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I figured since I missed posting a photo yesterday - I wasn't feeling too well - I would add more than one today and I'm going to cheat just slightly. I didn't actually take these photos, they were taken by a dear friend. His name is Butch and he lives in the house next door to the house we used to live in up in Connecticut. He wanted to show us what we were "missing" up there.
Our dear
I figured since I missed posting a photo yesterday - I wasn't feeling too well - I would add more than one today and I'm going to cheat just slightly. I didn't actually take these photos, they were taken by a dear friend. His name is Butch and he lives in the house next door to the house we used to live in up in Connecticut. He wanted to show us what we were "missing" up there.
Our dear
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Funny Commercial to Make You Laugh
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I think this commercial is SO funny, I hope you like it...
Now every time I pick up something around the house I say to Bill, "I lift things up and put them down."
I don't get out much and it doesn't take much to amuse me... send help soon. :-)
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I think this commercial is SO funny, I hope you like it...
Now every time I pick up something around the house I say to Bill, "I lift things up and put them down."
I don't get out much and it doesn't take much to amuse me... send help soon. :-)
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Food, Massage, Cosmetics, Organizers: Things to Make 2011 Easier - Eversave Specials Just for YOU
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Here are some wonderful things to help make your 2011 easier...
Hope you can use them, I've gotten some!
Today's Save: Eternal Youth Health Spa Today's Save:$37 for a 60-minute Swedish massage, Purifying Facial or Age-Defying Facial at one of Eternal Youth Health Spa's three locations ($75 value) Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 13, 2011
Here are some wonderful things to help make your 2011 easier...
Hope you can use them, I've gotten some!
Today's Save: Eternal Youth Health Spa Today's Save:$37 for a 60-minute Swedish massage, Purifying Facial or Age-Defying Facial at one of Eternal Youth Health Spa's three locations ($75 value) Expires 11:59 PM - Jan 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
365 Project - January 10th: Mai-Li and her Online Boyfriend, Charlie
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Mai-Li loves to sit on my lap and look for her friend, Charlie the Pug, in the computer as he "cleans" the inside of the screen for me. When I go to another website, Mai-Li tries to figure out where Charlie went by looking under, around and over the monitor... It really is too funny. ENJOY:
Isn't she just a cutie?
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to
Mai-Li loves to sit on my lap and look for her friend, Charlie the Pug, in the computer as he "cleans" the inside of the screen for me. When I go to another website, Mai-Li tries to figure out where Charlie went by looking under, around and over the monitor... It really is too funny. ENJOY:
Isn't she just a cutie?
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Monday's Music Moves Me - Happy Birthday Elvis
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{Image Credit}
Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them
{Image Credit}
Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them
Belgian Beer Corking Procedure
A few people have asked lately, how I go about corking my homebrew. Well today I was corking my saison and I took a couple of videos. Trying my best to make the video entertaining, I mixed up a back track using mixcraft. Enjoy.
Somewhat more involved than kegging, but the finished product looks pretty cool.
Keep on corking,
Holz
Somewhat more involved than kegging, but the finished product looks pretty cool.
Keep on corking,
Holz
365 Project - January 9th: Glass Paperweight
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This is a glass paperweight that we have in our family room on our cocktail table. The sunlight was coming in the window just perfectly today so I wanted to see what kind of photographs I could get ~ I'm really happy with the way these came out...
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
This is a glass paperweight that we have in our family room on our cocktail table. The sunlight was coming in the window just perfectly today so I wanted to see what kind of photographs I could get ~ I'm really happy with the way these came out...
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
New Year's Resolution
The best advice I ever got concerning new year's resolutions was dispensed by one of my favorite grad school professors. She said that most people set themselves up for failure because they plan to unrealistically change their whole life by just uttering a single vague sentence: I'll eat healthy; I'll exercise everyday; I'll stop procrastinating.... "If you really want to make a change" she said, "change your life by one degree."
She reminded me that one degree can alter outcomes drastically; after all, the difference between water freezing or boiling lies within one degree. The overall message is a good one - just one small change can significantly impact your quality of life.
So this year, my resolution is to keep what I'm calling a "thankful journal" where I write down - every day - at least three things I'm thankful for. Since I've started keeping the journal, I have become more aware of all the little things that make my life so wonderful - little things that previously, I would have taken for granted. Life is too short not to relish in the beauty of it, and now, at least for a few minutes every day, I remind myself of that fact.
"If you think you're too small to make a difference or that your voice is too small to be heard, you've obviously never been in a tent with a mosquito" - unknown
She reminded me that one degree can alter outcomes drastically; after all, the difference between water freezing or boiling lies within one degree. The overall message is a good one - just one small change can significantly impact your quality of life.
So this year, my resolution is to keep what I'm calling a "thankful journal" where I write down - every day - at least three things I'm thankful for. Since I've started keeping the journal, I have become more aware of all the little things that make my life so wonderful - little things that previously, I would have taken for granted. Life is too short not to relish in the beauty of it, and now, at least for a few minutes every day, I remind myself of that fact.
My "Thankful Journal"
"If you think you're too small to make a difference or that your voice is too small to be heard, you've obviously never been in a tent with a mosquito" - unknown
still TVXQ!
i can't stop myself from blogging bout current issue that involves the boys..it's kinda frustrated but this time i have decided thatas long as i'm a Cassiopeia..i will not stop from believing and support the boys..Cassiopeia is created for those who love the boys dearly..never let go of their hands and cherish them no matter what it takes..i knew for the past few days, junsu's tweet has made the
Look What I Just Ordered - You Can Too, From Eversave
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If you're like me, you have more than one purse (according to my husband, I have 4,000 - he exaggerates slightly) and you would LOVE to use them all but it is such a pain in the.... neck.... to change everything you need to bring with you just to change purses - especially if you are a mom! So, you end up using the same purse every day for a really long time until you finally change to
If you're like me, you have more than one purse (according to my husband, I have 4,000 - he exaggerates slightly) and you would LOVE to use them all but it is such a pain in the.... neck.... to change everything you need to bring with you just to change purses - especially if you are a mom! So, you end up using the same purse every day for a really long time until you finally change to
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Dominique
This evening Meg and I stopped by RFD for dinner and beer before going to the Caps game. We had an incredible brew and I had to share it with the world. Goose Island Dominique is a wild ale aged in the bourbon county barrels and it all sorts of wonderful. Flavor country for sure. Find some and enjoy!
365 Project - January 8th: Where'd that Damned Squirrel Go???
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Here's Lady Mia trying to climb up a tree after a squirrel.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
Have a great Weekend!
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Here's Lady Mia trying to climb up a tree after a squirrel.
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants submissions head to the "Browse Latest" page.
Have a great Weekend!
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To Make You Laugh: Scientific Knee-Slappers
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A recent scientific experiment discovered that frogs can be levitated using magnetic coils. Magnets have two poles: the north pole and the south pole. This experiment succeeded by adding a third: the tadpole.
Cryptographers make terrible drummers. They're easily distracted by all the cymbals.
Geologists are the only scientists who are glad when their work is taken for granite
A recent scientific experiment discovered that frogs can be levitated using magnetic coils. Magnets have two poles: the north pole and the south pole. This experiment succeeded by adding a third: the tadpole.
Cryptographers make terrible drummers. They're easily distracted by all the cymbals.
Geologists are the only scientists who are glad when their work is taken for granite
Friday, January 7, 2011
365 Project - January 7th: A Touch of Spring?
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On our walk with the dogs this morning, we found some new flowers that had been planted by the town workers to try and replace some of the plants that died during the recent cold snap we had. I thought these looked so pretty and reminded me that Spring is right around the corner.... I HOPE!!
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants
On our walk with the dogs this morning, we found some new flowers that had been planted by the town workers to try and replace some of the plants that died during the recent cold snap we had. I thought these looked so pretty and reminded me that Spring is right around the corner.... I HOPE!!
To join the 365 Project head on over to their Facebook page or to view other participants
Cartoon of the Day: Reality Now Begins
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{Click to Enlarge}
Have you opened your's yet? How'd you do... we were SO good, we only used cash this year!
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Have you opened your's yet? How'd you do... we were SO good, we only used cash this year!
ASCO Cancer Foundation's Calendar
It's a new year, and time for a new calendar.
Excitingly, this year, one calendar in particular has very special meaning for me. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Cancer Foundation is the leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. Its mission is to improve cancer care and prevention.
Every year, the ASCO solicits artist submissions from cancer survivors and their families for their calendar: "Expressions of Hope". My mother, a talented painter, submitted a small oil painting of a little bird, which was selected for the month of April:
American Society of Clinical Oncology Calendar
My mom's quote reads: "While [Marlena's] most recent surgery was successful, the recovery was difficult with a slew of minor complications which wore down her spirit; my song bird seemed to have lost her voice. I reassured her that this latest challenge could be met... with grace and dignity."
Now, a reflection of my mother's strength and talent will not only enrich my life, but will also grace the walls of thousands of doctors who help patients find hope in the fight against cancer. Thanks mom. (For more of my mom's paintings, visit her online gallery.)
Splendour in the Grass - William Wordsworth
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find,
Strength in what remains behind...
Click HERE to see the write up about my mom's painting on the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation's blog.
Excitingly, this year, one calendar in particular has very special meaning for me. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Cancer Foundation is the leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. Its mission is to improve cancer care and prevention.
Every year, the ASCO solicits artist submissions from cancer survivors and their families for their calendar: "Expressions of Hope". My mother, a talented painter, submitted a small oil painting of a little bird, which was selected for the month of April:
American Society of Clinical Oncology Calendar
Month of April: my mother's painting "The Song Bird" and a quote
My mom's quote reads: "While [Marlena's] most recent surgery was successful, the recovery was difficult with a slew of minor complications which wore down her spirit; my song bird seemed to have lost her voice. I reassured her that this latest challenge could be met... with grace and dignity."
Now, a reflection of my mother's strength and talent will not only enrich my life, but will also grace the walls of thousands of doctors who help patients find hope in the fight against cancer. Thanks mom. (For more of my mom's paintings, visit her online gallery.)
Splendour in the Grass - William Wordsworth
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find,
Strength in what remains behind...
Click HERE to see the write up about my mom's painting on the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation's blog.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday, oops) and 365Project: January 5th & 6th
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WORDLESS
I know I'm a day late for Wordless Wednesday and I missed my photo for my 365Project yesterday, but I never got on the computer yesterday. Heck, I didn't even get out of bed until 4:30p.m. because of a horrendous migraine - those of you who suffer from them know exactly what I mean and those of you who don't, be VERY grateful. So.... here is my photo for Wordless Wednesday and
WORDLESS
I know I'm a day late for Wordless Wednesday and I missed my photo for my 365Project yesterday, but I never got on the computer yesterday. Heck, I didn't even get out of bed until 4:30p.m. because of a horrendous migraine - those of you who suffer from them know exactly what I mean and those of you who don't, be VERY grateful. So.... here is my photo for Wordless Wednesday and
The Pepsi Refresh Project - SOAR... Please Vote
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A neighbor of mine, Tisse Mallon has submitted her idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project and has been accepted into the running! Her idea is to help sexual assault survivors step out of the past and into the future. She will work with SOAR, a non-profit, national awareness, education organization geared to empower survivors of sexual violence and enhance the public's understanding and
A neighbor of mine, Tisse Mallon has submitted her idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project and has been accepted into the running! Her idea is to help sexual assault survivors step out of the past and into the future. She will work with SOAR, a non-profit, national awareness, education organization geared to empower survivors of sexual violence and enhance the public's understanding and
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
on hiatus....
sadly to announce here..i will not be active blogging until i'll be home during Chinese New Year which is like 2-3 weeks from now..keep on dropping by comments and follow me..i will drop by at your blog and follow u back when i'm home..don't worry..i won't miss out anybody..it happens coz like u guys already knew..BROADBAND SUCKZ!..and there's no wifi at my block..it's hard to open a site page..
Cartoon of the Day: When You Know Christmas is Over... So Sad
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Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and were able to spend time with the ones you love.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and were able to spend time with the ones you love.
365 Project - January 4th
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I'm going to try and participate in the 365Project, which is the goal of posting a photograph a day of anything you want throughout the whole year. I'm a bit behind for the year on my blog, but I have gotten them up on my 365Project site. So, hopefully, I will be able to keep up for the rest of the year.
Here is my photo for today... We drove by this EMS truck the other day and the emblem
I'm going to try and participate in the 365Project, which is the goal of posting a photograph a day of anything you want throughout the whole year. I'm a bit behind for the year on my blog, but I have gotten them up on my 365Project site. So, hopefully, I will be able to keep up for the rest of the year.
Here is my photo for today... We drove by this EMS truck the other day and the emblem
Monday, January 3, 2011
Cartoons of the Day: Who Knew Snowmen Where Sooooo Funny?
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ALL mom's are always right:
You should always use a tissue:
OMG, how embarrassing:
{Click on any to Enlarge}
Hope I made you smile... Have a great day!!
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ALL mom's are always right:
You should always use a tissue:
OMG, how embarrassing:
{Click on any to Enlarge}
Hope I made you smile... Have a great day!!
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Monday's Music Moves Me: Happy New Year
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Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me... the rockin' meme hosted by me, Marie of XmasDolly, Larry of Cakeblast and Collette of Jamerican Spice that showcases YOUR music choices! We want to know what kind of music gets you movin and groovin! Here is what you need to do to join us:
First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year
Well, here we are in 2011. I've been seeing articles in the paper and online about how terrible 2010 was. I'm happy to say that 2010 was my best year yet in many ways. I left a job that was stressful and harmful to me, found a job that is enjoyable, saw my husband's play sell out every show, and watch my children grow as young adults. 2011 will be even better!
I usually don't have the typical list of new year's resolutions. I don't say things like, "going to lose 15 pounds, make more money, etc." That said, I do like to put an intention on a year. I've found that this really helps me keep my life in focus and affords a small benchmark for personal growth. For example, two years ago I decided to try to focus on family needs specifically. I made more regular contact with my sister in Florida, helped my kids whenever I could, and took my mom on her dream trip to Alaska. At the end of the year, I felt like I'd accomplished a few little things that made my family's world a little better. The next year, 2010, I decided that I needed to leave the abusive environment at my workplace. This was a scary one, since I ultimately was pushed to quit before I had another income source. Although we had to tighten our belts for a few (um, seven) months, I was able to re-center, get regular exercise, improve my mental and physical health, and eventually find a job that I really enjoy.
For 2011, I think that I'll practice not worrying, and its corroborative focus on wellness. For a few months last year I worked out 2 hours a day, six days a week. I was in great shape and it spurred me on to generally take care of myself. Then, I started my new job. Now, I really like my job. But, I'm feeling that old nemesis Stress creeping in around the edges. Less time at home, less time with my friends and husband, less exercise, high expectations, new job so I don't really know what I'm doing yet, you know. In 2011 I will set Stress aside and try to let the days unfold without worry. I'm struggling with the fact that I'm struggling to decide what decisions to make. Huh?
That said, I will try to employ a Buddhist detachment (oh, hey, look at how "monkeymind" I'm being, jumping all over the place...interesting) and just go with the flow. It's easy for me to become distracted by possible lifestyles and paths, wondering if I've made the right choices. This is a daily thing for me! While it's OK to question, sometimes it can get in the way, too. So, quit worrying and enjoy life.
Mental and physical wellness will be the order of the day for 2011. Wish me luck!
I usually don't have the typical list of new year's resolutions. I don't say things like, "going to lose 15 pounds, make more money, etc." That said, I do like to put an intention on a year. I've found that this really helps me keep my life in focus and affords a small benchmark for personal growth. For example, two years ago I decided to try to focus on family needs specifically. I made more regular contact with my sister in Florida, helped my kids whenever I could, and took my mom on her dream trip to Alaska. At the end of the year, I felt like I'd accomplished a few little things that made my family's world a little better. The next year, 2010, I decided that I needed to leave the abusive environment at my workplace. This was a scary one, since I ultimately was pushed to quit before I had another income source. Although we had to tighten our belts for a few (um, seven) months, I was able to re-center, get regular exercise, improve my mental and physical health, and eventually find a job that I really enjoy.
For 2011, I think that I'll practice not worrying, and its corroborative focus on wellness. For a few months last year I worked out 2 hours a day, six days a week. I was in great shape and it spurred me on to generally take care of myself. Then, I started my new job. Now, I really like my job. But, I'm feeling that old nemesis Stress creeping in around the edges. Less time at home, less time with my friends and husband, less exercise, high expectations, new job so I don't really know what I'm doing yet, you know. In 2011 I will set Stress aside and try to let the days unfold without worry. I'm struggling with the fact that I'm struggling to decide what decisions to make. Huh?
That said, I will try to employ a Buddhist detachment (oh, hey, look at how "monkeymind" I'm being, jumping all over the place...interesting) and just go with the flow. It's easy for me to become distracted by possible lifestyles and paths, wondering if I've made the right choices. This is a daily thing for me! While it's OK to question, sometimes it can get in the way, too. So, quit worrying and enjoy life.
Mental and physical wellness will be the order of the day for 2011. Wish me luck!
Cartoon of the Day: I Guess ALL Men are the Same?!?!?!
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Doesn't matter what species you are I guess.....
{Click to Enlarge}
'Nuff said!
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Doesn't matter what species you are I guess.....
{Click to Enlarge}
'Nuff said!
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Brewing with Grapes
Over the last couple of years I've seen professional craft brewers experimenting with different varieties of grapes or grape juice. A few that come to mind are Dogfish Red and White, Allagash Victor, and Victoria. A few weeks ago I had a bottle of the Stone 10.10.10 vertical epic and it was a) fantastic and b) made with a variety of white wine grapes. Despite this experimentation on the professional side of brewing, I have not found much in the way of homebrewing information on how to brew with grapes, nor seen that many people have been using grapes in their homebrew. This is somewhat odd because homebrewers usually lead the charge in all directions as far as experimental brewing goes. So it looks like it's up to me to give it a try, without the benefit of training wheels. Last week I brewed a recipe from Randy Mosher's Radical Brewing (not exactly the same but close to Randy's Mr. Boing Boing Cherry Barleywine recipe without the cherries) as a basis for brewing a barley wine that was to have merlot concentrate added to it 7 days into the primary fermentation. That beer was brewed to a gravity of approximately 1.083. A few days ago I added three pounds of merlot juice concentrate to the already fermenting beer, bringing the starting gravity to 1.097.
The following is the recipe, exported from iBrewmaster (which I just got over the Holidays and haven't figured out how to input everything correctly yet):
Barley wine wine
Style: American Barleywine
Type: Partial Mash Calories: 274
Rating: 0.0 Efficiency: 75 %
IBU's: 45.68 Boil Size: 6.50 Gal
Color: 19.0 SRM Batch Size: 5.50 Gal
Boil Time: 90 minutes
Estimated Actual
Brew Date: - 12/24/2010
OG: 1.097 1.097
FG: 1.020 -
ABV: 10.09 % - %
Serve Date: 06/29/2011 (null)
Fermentation Steps
Name Days / Temp Estimated Actual
Primary 14 days @ 68.0°F 12/24/2010 12/24/2010
Secondary 180 days @ 72.0°F 01/07/2011 12/31/2010
Grains & Adjuncts
Amount Percentage Name Gravity Color
2.00 lbs 17.68 % Melanoiden Malt 1.037 20.0
3.00 ozs 1.66 % Special B Malt 1.030 180.0
2.00 ozs 1.10 % Carafa III 1.032 525.0
3.00 lbs 26.52 % Amber Dry Extract 1.044 12.5
6.00 lbs 53.04 % Light Dry Extract 1.044 8.0
Hops
Amount IBU's Name Time AA %
1.00 ozs 20.71 Northern Brewer 90 mins 9.40
1.00 ozs 19.36 Northern Brewer 60 mins 9.40
1.00 ozs 5.61 Goldings, East Kent 20 mins 4.50
1.00 ozs 0.00 Goldings, East Kent 0 mins 4.50
Yeasts
Amount Name Laboratory / ID
1.0 pkg Neobritania Wyeast Labs 0000
Additions
Amount Name Time Stage
46.00 oz Merlot juice 07 days Primary
Mash Profile
(none)
Notes
Partial mashed melaniodin, special b, and carafa3 for 60 mins at 155 degrees.
This barley wine is brewed more to an English barley wine style at an og of 1.080 and then 7 days into primary added 46 ounces of merlot juice. After adding merlot juice the gravity goes to 1.097.
When the merlot juice is added you pitch one packets of us-05 yeast.
I plan to add 1 oz. of medium roast french oak during secondary. I'll keep you posted on the progress of operation barley wine wine (or Red barleyWine).
Brew something new this month. Happy Brew Year,
Holz
The following is the recipe, exported from iBrewmaster (which I just got over the Holidays and haven't figured out how to input everything correctly yet):
Barley wine wine
Style: American Barleywine
Type: Partial Mash Calories: 274
Rating: 0.0 Efficiency: 75 %
IBU's: 45.68 Boil Size: 6.50 Gal
Color: 19.0 SRM Batch Size: 5.50 Gal
Boil Time: 90 minutes
Estimated Actual
Brew Date: - 12/24/2010
OG: 1.097 1.097
FG: 1.020 -
ABV: 10.09 % - %
Serve Date: 06/29/2011 (null)
Fermentation Steps
Name Days / Temp Estimated Actual
Primary 14 days @ 68.0°F 12/24/2010 12/24/2010
Secondary 180 days @ 72.0°F 01/07/2011 12/31/2010
Grains & Adjuncts
Amount Percentage Name Gravity Color
2.00 lbs 17.68 % Melanoiden Malt 1.037 20.0
3.00 ozs 1.66 % Special B Malt 1.030 180.0
2.00 ozs 1.10 % Carafa III 1.032 525.0
3.00 lbs 26.52 % Amber Dry Extract 1.044 12.5
6.00 lbs 53.04 % Light Dry Extract 1.044 8.0
Hops
Amount IBU's Name Time AA %
1.00 ozs 20.71 Northern Brewer 90 mins 9.40
1.00 ozs 19.36 Northern Brewer 60 mins 9.40
1.00 ozs 5.61 Goldings, East Kent 20 mins 4.50
1.00 ozs 0.00 Goldings, East Kent 0 mins 4.50
Yeasts
Amount Name Laboratory / ID
1.0 pkg Neobritania Wyeast Labs 0000
Additions
Amount Name Time Stage
46.00 oz Merlot juice 07 days Primary
Mash Profile
(none)
Notes
Partial mashed melaniodin, special b, and carafa3 for 60 mins at 155 degrees.
This barley wine is brewed more to an English barley wine style at an og of 1.080 and then 7 days into primary added 46 ounces of merlot juice. After adding merlot juice the gravity goes to 1.097.
When the merlot juice is added you pitch one packets of us-05 yeast.
I plan to add 1 oz. of medium roast french oak during secondary. I'll keep you posted on the progress of operation barley wine wine (or Red barleyWine).
Brew something new this month. Happy Brew Year,
Holz
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Dreaming of a White (Day-After) Christmas
The day after Christmas, we got 22 inches of snow within a few hours - and it kept snowing. It was completely insane around here for a while, but everyone is finally dug out. Gary and I used the weather as a good excuse to finish our Harry Potter marathon (all 6 movies) and then braved the snow covered freeways to see the 7th film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was fantastic.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Mai-Li is in a Photo Contest - Would You Vote for Her?
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The above photo has been entered into a photo contest at Photo Artomation and I could win $1,000 - WooHoo!! I know it's a long shot, because there are lots of other really cute and artistic photos submitted, but I have a favor to as of you, my dear readers... would you be so kind as to head on over to the site and vote for my little Mai-Li? You have to click on the Pet Photo Contest page
HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011
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To all my friends and readers, thank you so much for all your love and support over the last year. I have appreciated every single comment and email, especially the ones of support for my son while he was in Afghanistan. I look forward to our continued friendships in 2011 and beyond. From our family to yours, wishing you a very happy new year with nothing but love, laughter and good health!
To all my friends and readers, thank you so much for all your love and support over the last year. I have appreciated every single comment and email, especially the ones of support for my son while he was in Afghanistan. I look forward to our continued friendships in 2011 and beyond. From our family to yours, wishing you a very happy new year with nothing but love, laughter and good health!
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