Paying it forward with a "CLICK"

I'm not exactly sure what is going on in Grandy-land at the moment.  Now that I'm 40 am I going all sentimental?  My usual comical posts appear to be replaced with a few "LOVE LOVE LOVE" posts.  HUH? ::taking temperature:: Let's blame it on a full moon, hormones, or a hangover headache, but here you are...stuck feeling my love with another post.

Wait a minute.  It's not my comical anecdotes that you all were missing.  It was just the posts in general.  Riiigggghhhhtttt!!  *wink wink*  We'll just go with that and say, "I missed you too!" 

In my last post, I explained how very cool our small town of Foresthill is.  What I maybe didn't mention was how "small" it is, in comparison to many communities. 

Our local businesses and community members give their all to support the local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Little League, Swim Team, Softball, Soccer (and more I know I'm forgetting at the moment) in addition to the Elementary, Middle and High Schools.  We truly are blessed.

I can't count a weekend where there is not a fundraising opportunity for one event or another.  For a small town, we always rally for whatever the cause.  Car washes, spaghetti feeds, Tupperware parties, and this weekend is the annual "FIRE SALE" which is where everybody donates their things 8 months out of the year for a HUGE sale to benefit the local volunteer fire department.

Because we are such a small town, we are often overlooked in the area of corporation donations.  We have launched full force campaigns over the last few years to raise some serious funds to keep things going, as budget cuts keep coming to our small schools.  Budget cuts are affecting schools everywhere, don't get me wrong.  But since this is my blog...I get to talk about MY schools. 

Enter (stage left) an opportunity for YOU...YES YOU...to help our small town.

Were you touched by the story of our fire?  Have you been moved to tears (pass the tissue) over my love for these folks?  Are you ready to hand over your wallets and life savings?  Not so much?  Hehehe...I don't blame you.  Good thing I'm not asking you for money, huh? 

Target has launched a Gift Card campaign.  For every 25 votes our Foresthill High School gets, Target will gift us a $25 gift card.  Did you catch that?  You click...and TARGET pays.  Pretty good gig huh?

So...You have a computer...you have a Facebook...Please check this out and vote for Foresthill High School.  You can vote once a week until 9/8/12 (or until Target runs out of their $2.5M), so be sure to come back and vote. 

FORESTHILL HIGH SCHOOL

Singing & Dancing Grandy

It has been almost 15 years since Grandy has performed on stage.

It has been even longer than THAT since she has had to kick, two-three-four, turn, kick, turn.

This Friday, June 17th, Grandy makes somewhat of a comeback in The Producers.

When my friend asked me about 6 weeks ago (days before my 39th birthday) if I would consider, I of course hesitated. The work/life balance hasn't exactly been the best feng shui mode lately. 60 hour work weeks. Board Meetings. Boy Scouts. Boosters. There was just not enough hours in the day.

But my girlfriends talked me into it because there are never enough hours in the day. They were right, and it's been a blast. My daily schedule continues, but somehow I'm mustering up the strength to get my butt there. And although my body is asking me, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING TO ME?" it is lots of fun.

Really. My body hurts like no other. There has been a lot that's happened to me physically since I last did this. If I were in the finance world (which I'm not) I would suggest the following stock tip: Buy stock in Ben-Gay and 5-hr Energy. WOOF!!!

I think my boys notice I'm having fun with it too. Although I come home tired and hurting, I'm smiling.

So...Friday is opening night. There are 6 performances. And Grandy's anxiety level is reaching new heights. It has dawned on me...my past life and my present life are colliding. NOBODY in my current day-to-day life (minus my mom and sisters) have ever seen me perform on stage. They didn't even realize that's what I used to do for a LIVING.

There are A LOT of people dying for the opportunity to catch this. "What? You're going to be funny ON STAGE? REALLY?!?" To which I respond..."Let's hope so."

Kind of exciting...kind of anxious...kind of hope I don't fall off the stage. While Grandy can't promise she will take this on as a regular hobby (remember all the stuff going on), it's good to be "back".

"Let's Do This!!!"

Let's Do This!

Several months ago Grandy got a calling to make a difference in a family's life. She hitched up her pants and gathered a group together, and threw a fundraiser for a young boy who was battling yet another round of cancer.

This event was the most amazing experience ever. Our small community came out in droves, and we were able to raise A LOT of money in two very short weeks. We were connected with this family, and Grandy cried daily. It was humbling to see a renewed sense of caring in the hearts of others.

WHAT?!? People are GOOD?!? This totally goes against everything that Grandy knows about society.

Ok...perhaps we should recap. If there are any readers left, or any new ones out there with nothing better to do, you might need a cliff-notes version of this 4 year blog. Grandy is jaded. Grandy uses sarcasm to mask the fact that she cares too much, but knows that people aren't always capable of doing that.

This event...scratch that...THIS BOY changed things for Grandy. Here is this 9 year old boy, fighting his FOURTH (yes you read that right) FOURTH round of cancer, and he came to the event playing with light sabers. He approached his illness with such bravery.

Grandy reached out to her equally jaded professional community, and the money and support came flooding in. THIS would be why Grandy was crying. The event was AMAZING!!!! The community was AMAZING!! THIS FAMILY IS AMAZING!!!

Last week, our boy lost his battle, and passed. It has rocked me to my shoes!!

As I took lil man Grandy to the prayer service that night, we learned of his brave final moments. As Dad explained what was about to happen to him, he intitially did what would be expected. He asked, "What about my sister? My brother? My friends? My baseball team??" When Dad bravely explained the next step for him, our boy (and believe me this boy belongs to this community) replied, "Alright. Let's do this!!"

LET'S DO THIS!!!

Folks, this phrase will never have the same meaning for this girl again. Grandy has survived a lot in her life... Stroke. Broken Back. Multiple Surgeries. You name it, Grandy has overcome many freakish issues. My favorite quote has always been Neitzche, "That which does not kill me, makes me strong." It will be the quote that goes on my tombstone...of course with the tag line...OOPS!!

Despite all that Grandy has had to overcome, it still feels like not enough. This 9 year old touched many lives. Grandy has more to do.

Grandy's perspective is different now. Not sure what this means, actually. All I can tell you is we should face each day with my new motto...LET'S DO THIS!!!

Are YOU ready??

Miss you Max!!

The moment when Grandy cries - #52,673,102

So you have probably guessed that Grandy tends to wear her heart on her sleeve. There aren't many surprises from Grandy, when you want to know how she's feeling. My demeanor, or my words, will let you know how I'm feeling right away.

There are moments when Grandy wants to cry. It may not be because she's sad, necessarily. It may simply be when she's feeling overwhelmed, over-joyed, or just plain OVER-over. Regardless of how I'm feeling, sometimes these real moments just hit me.

Yesterday, my son and I are driving back from the bank. Grandy reminds him that now that football is over, he is REALLY going to have to focus on his grades. Really. REALLY-Really. (Wonder if he got the point).

Then the following conversation happened:

Him: Oh, by the way, the Principal came in to Biology on Friday and said she just hired a permanent substitute teacher for the class.
Me: Why?
Him: I guess that her husband has been fighting cancer for a while, and it's not looking good. Meaning...He's Dying.
Me: THAT'S HORRIBLE!!!
::Grandy's chest begins to feel heavy::
Him: Yeah. She teaches two biology classes and an anatomy class. All the students got together and decided we would collect money to send him flowers and a card.
::Totally choked up now::
Me: ::fighting back tears:: Do you need money then?
Him: No, I gave them all the money I had.
Me: ::full on crying now::

Him: Oh yeah...but can I have some lunch money?
Me: ::still crying...but nod my head::
Him: Are you alright?
Me: MmmHmmm...::tears gushing down face::
Him: Should I have NOT told you?
Me: No! Why would you ask that?
Him: I just know that it's kinda something that hits so close to home for you.

DONE!! Crying...close to sobbing...Grandy is a mush pot.

This teacher is brilliant. She is young, vivacious, and married with two young children. The thought of her losing her husband at such a young age, and facing things on her own with the kids, saddened me.

I have a dear friend who is a teacher, brilliant, young, vivacious and married with two young children. She is battling a very aggressive form of breast cancer. This must have been what made me react the way I did. I couldn't figure out why I cried so much.

I tell another girlfriend about the episode, and she pretty much summed it up as any man would have, "Are you getting ready for your period?"

PERPETUALLY!! When emotion cannot be explained by any other means...blame the monthly visitor. All better now.

Grandy is HERE

So many of Grandy's friends are going through something major in their life.

Unemployment

Child Custody Battles

Divorce

Deportation Issues

Mid-Life Crisis' in ways I can only embrace.

Grandy wants them all to know, she is here. She's here for you. She's not been HERE...via her blog as often as she would like, but she is HERE, in person, and for real.

What can I do for these friends?

Help right the resume.

Go to court.

Give a hug.

Grandy gets low in her own little moments...but has never let that stand in her way of her friends and family. It is in my lowest moments that you have all touched me.

I am here because of you all. I am who I am because of you. You are strong, and make me want to be a better person.

Have faith...and know that you can call me. No matter what!!!

Thank you for being Grandy's friend.

To those fighting the battle of Unemployment...

As I sit here, on a Sunday night dreading my week ahead of me with my job, I'm reminded of my many dear friends and colleagues out there that maybe don't have a job to go to tomorrow, or the next day, or even next week.

Grandy-land went through this struggle ourselves over the last year, and it's NOT fun. I didn't write about this at the time, because it was something so painfully close to my heart over the last year, that it wasn't until now that I could even express it.

Last year, on my birthday, my husband's truck broke. As an owner-operator truck driver, who works very hard to keep things moving on the road, it was devastating for him...and for us. After 10 months of struggles, he began a job working for someone, in a different field. It's not what he WANTS to do, but he does it to help the family.

Since that time, several of my friends have also lost their jobs. I have witnessed many bloggers struggle with their own battles of employement (or lack thereof) as well as their spouses. It's everywhere, and it's not something that is easy for me to talk about.

I KNOW...Grandy, at a loss for words? Wonder where I've been in the bloggy world lately?

Well, although our personal situation is going to get better, we have many friends who continue their struggle. And this blog post is for them. You are not forgotten. I know that you put your heart out there with every resume submission, every job interview, and with every call. It is crushing to not get the job.

Many of you became unemployed only because your position was eliminated, not because you were incapable of doing your job. And yet now you go to all these interviews with many others in the same boat.

What makes it harder for you?

The lack of response.
The path of hope you go down, only to be headed off at the pass.
The uncertainty of how long you can keep trying.
The worse uncertainty of how long this will last.

Please know that those of us with the jobs have not forgotten or forsaken you. When layoffs happen, there is often a lot more work piled on those left behind, and nobody feels they can complain.

To my dear friend who inspried this post...know how much I want you to find something soon, and we are cheering for you. You're doing everything you can to stay positive. I get it.

Hang in there everybody. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I can't control the economy, or even pretend I know what each of you is feeling, but I hope you know that there are those of us out there that "get it" and truly want the best for you.

Powers of the Perfection Perception

As Grandy was racing down the hill on Saturday last week, she thought to herself...

30 Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwhiches made, all the scouts and leaders are fed - Check

Laundry has been transferred - Check

Took care of man who cut his leg with the chain saw - Check (seriously...I had 30 scouts and leaders in my dang back yard and I'M the one taking care of the chain saw injury because the Dad didn't want anyone "to know".)

Did Grandy get her house cleaned? - NO Check

Grandy was now racing to a 1:00 baby shower, an hour away, and then a 5:00 bridal shower also an hour away. (For the record, they were two different people and yes, they were about 15 minutes from each other at least.)

BUT Grandy's house is NOT clean. It's anything but! UGH!! A nap is on the schedule on or about January 13, 2010...when will Grandy get a chance to CLEAN?

The thought crossed my mind that perhaps I'm just not built to be domestically inclined. There are those people...maybe I'm just one of them. Grandy tries to keep it all together, but can only keep up the appearance for so long. If any of those scouts had to actually come into the house, I'm pretty certain it would give Ty a nickname that would carry him through high school.

That night I was instructed to meet the boys at a friend's house who is having a "get together", I dutifully arrived at around 9:00. My girlfriends were obviously well ahead of me in their quest to escape all reality and get their drink on, and I decided I wasn't going to try to catch up (shocking I know). Hey...Grandy can still get her party on, and have a good time, without alcohol.
The conversation took an interesting turn when one girlfriend started talking about how hard she works to be perfect for her husband and family. WTF? Perfect?!

I asked her to define what her take on perfection was, and she was able to tell me quicker than blinking. One of the keys to her perfection was a clean house. Not just a "clean" house, but an uber-no-dirt-to-be-found-cans lined in a row-everything in its place-clean.

THEN I asked her to define what her husband thought perfection was... blink... blink. A clean house.

She asked me how I do it all, and I laughed and rolled my eyes. I don't do it ALL. I do a lot, and fake the rest. She says, "NO!! You are amazing with all the stuff you do, and do well." Now, this woman has seen the inside of my house, maybe it was a while ago, but she's been inside. It is nowhere near perfection. Doesn't she know that?

This woman carried on (and I do love this woman) with talking about all the committees I'm on, and run, all the events I do, the hours of work I put in, and how hard the work is. Bless her heart, she actually said that she wants to BE LIKE GRANDY. *Put the crack pipe down and no one gets hurt* Seriously?

On a day where Grandy is questioning whether she is doing enough, and wonders how she can even do what she's doing, and someone is praising her? Someone with an immaculately clean house? Huh??

One thing my friend struggles with is how to relate to her husband. I told her she needed to sit down and ask him what he thought perfection was. If she's working so hard to be perfect, based on what she thinks is perfect and doesn't know anymore what he wants, then what's the point? All her efforts are being lost for the wrong reasons. With that, when I dropped her off, she hugged me and skipped off to her house.

"You are a wise and good soul Grandy." she called out. (she truly does call me Grandy)

It just goes to show you...just when you feel like you are at your weakest, and not fooling anyone. Someone comes along to remind you that you're doing something right... even if you can't see my dining room table.

The loss of a personal hero

Grandy was 19 years old when she stumbled into the wrong corridor looking for a class, and ran into a rather kind portly gentle-man.

"Can I help you little lady?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, but I think I'm lost" I responded.

"Aren't we all?" he replied with a smile. "What is it you're looking for?"

To this day I don't even remember what class it was I was looking for. All I know is there was this man, with a larger than life personality, and the all the charm in the world. He was working on casting for some one-act plays, and convinced me to audition. He cast me... and changed my world forever.

This lovely, sweet man, who influenced and loved so many, passed away yesterday. He was my first mentor, and a personal hero. He was the man that convinced me that I could do Theatre. He never tried to tell me what I "should" do...he just reminded me of what I was capable of.

He was brilliant, artistic, sometimes impatient, and authentic. You never questioned what he meant, and always knew where you stood. This is a quality Grandy has always embraced.

Thanks to the community of Facebook, I learned of the loss, and have been able to embrace my fellow theatre family members who are still stunned from the loss. It's amazing that although I haven't worked with some of these people in over ten years, we are still connected and the love is still there. His Facebook page is now filled with love and emotion, as people express their appreciation for all he's done for them.

Thank you, Tom, for all those you've touched in your life. You have left a legacy that cannot be replaced, and will be sorely missed. I LOVE YOU!!

I DID Survive

Grandy got a message from her sweet friend the other day, on Facebook.

"HEY! I'm needing my blogging fix, and you haven't been around!" she says.

Oh good grief!! Grandy has been glued to the computer, but has not had the time to get online and post. SO sorry readers!!!

I will be back soon to update you on life in Grandy-land, but I thought I would show you a pic of me and my date from the reunion last weekend to prove that we survived.

WE HAD A BLAST!!

No Ranting Tonight

Grandy was all primed to post a rant tonight.

Blah blah blah...lazy people...yada yada...fricken' half-assed family...blah blah.

Then she logs into her email and is yet again rocked to her shoes with bad news.

A very sweet and lovely woman, who's daughter is just around my son's age, and they are friends, passed away in her sleep on Friday. WTF?!?

This lovely woman was about my age folks! She was beautiful, and such a good friend to so many. She and I were never that close, as our schedules kept getting in the way. But we sure could have been. She was my kind of lady for sure!! She was amazing!!!

She leaves behind a great husband and father, a beautiful daughter, and a young son. She will be missed for sure!!

Life is all about perspective folks. As I'm struggling with my own life events, struggling to keep things in balance and keep things together, I'm reminded about how truly precious life is.

*UGH!*

I'm off to go cuddle my stinky, smelly, does-all-his-chores-half-assed son now.

Go hug all those you're close too!!!!

Grandy's Wacky Weekend

Oh my goodness! What a WEEKEND!!!

Rather than give you the verbal blow by blow, Grandy is going to give the highlights as if you were watching SportsCenter(how appropriate for SuperBowl Sunday is that?). There were some definite HIGHLIGHTS and FUMBLES for the weekend but the HIGHLIGHTS won overall.

Friday - Grandy scores primo seats to pro basketball game (Sacramento Kings v. Chicago Bulls) and turns it into date night with her Little Grandy. The Kings got spanked but Ty got to go onto the court and shoot a free-throw afterwards. = HIGHLIGHT!

Saturday - Grandy hooks up with GOOD FRIEND who hasn't blogged in FOREVER. We have been friends since High School and she was on her way through town on her way to a ski weekend. A quick lunch and good memories were shared. = HIGHLIGHT!

Saturday - Ty is off to sleep-over and Hubby decides it would be fun to hang out with some friends in Sacramento. Grandy agrees...only if Hubby promises we don't get home too late. Good times were had by all when Grandy played bartender... = HIGHLIGHT

Sidenote: The recipe that comes on the bottom of this hand-painted martini glass is AWESOME!!

...but the Grandys got home at 3am. = FUMBLE

Sunday - Grandy gets up in time to get her hiney to Church. = HIGHLIGHT

...after Church she is confronted by a friend who proceeds to tell her how she feels Grandy and her Hubby have done her wrong by being honest in a Scout situation. It was crunchy indeed, and Grandy respectfully disagreed and honestly told the truth (which hurts this person, I promise) and finally got away after an hour. = FUMBLE

Sunday - Grandy cleaned her kitchen, did 4 loads of laundry, tried to catch up on some blogging, and is HOPEFULLY going to get to sleep early tonight. = HIGHLIGHT!!!!

As you can see... the HIGHLIGHTS won all the way around.

So tell me readers...what did YOU do this weekend??? Inquiring minds want to know.

The Yearly Recap

It's that time of year when Grandy receives letters from her friends that talk all about the year they've had. We love getting these letters as a recap from friends, and although we know some of it is friggin' crap bragging a bit embelished, it is still nice to get these updates. Without these, we might not ever be able to keep track of exactly what Tommy is doing in his Freshman wrestling team.

Well now it's time to put a fun spin on these holiday letters. Who's game??

Dear Family & Friends;

Wow! It's hard to believe that 2008 is already coming to a close. This year has been great for our family! Where should we begin

Uncle Louie finally found his teeth, which helps because he and Aunt Laverne won't have to share hers anymore. Praise Jesus!

Our kids, Leroy, Linus, and the twins, Larry and Larnell are all doing real good. They are all on schedule to graduate the 5th grade together this year. We're really crossing our fingers that Leroy makes it this time. He'll be old enough to drive this year, and that would really help if he could drive his brothers around more, especially with the new baby due in the spring.

Oh yeah! I didn't mention that! Leroy Sr., the love of my life, has been doing real real good. He's been allowed more congi- cong- um- er- one-on-one visits with me at the prison, and we finally have a girl due in the spring. Leroy says it's on account a him being the bitch for a change, that's how he made a girl. Either way, I'm real excited for little miss Lucille to join our family soon.

I've been real fortunate at work. We had a biker convention roll through town and I got all kinds of overtime at the mini-mart. Some of them even tipped me on account I'm pregnant and working through the holidays. That pregnancy card sure can come in handy over the holidays.

Well, I better wrap this up so I can go and wrap the kids' presents. I'm sure you won't tell them, but I got them each their own toothbrushes this year. They will so like not having to share that anymore. I also got them some baseball cards at a yard sale. I don't recognize any of the players, and I can't say any of their names, but the boys love their baseball so I'm sure they'll like 'em.

I hope you all have a great 2009. I'm sorry I don't bother to write or call throughout the year until now. It's only cuz...well you know... I don't really like y'all anyway.

Yours truly,

Me

Leave a message at the beep.

Grandy is about to embark on a night of craziness fun and frivolity, and can't be here tonight.

Sorry she missed your call but months ago Grandy promised a friend's daughter she would take her to an 18 and over club so she could go "line dancing" for her 18th birthday.

Please leave your message at the beep and she'll get back to you when she regains her senses, feet stop hurting, tomorrow.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP!!!!

Sending Some Love Back!!

Readers;

I dedicate today's post to Mrs. G., of Derfwad Manor. She is a beautifully talented blogger who gets more comments than I will ever get hits on this site in a day.

Mrs. G. does her weekly "Slow Cook Thursday" and this week she featured yours truly. Can you believe it? You can check it out HERE.


And never mind the big blazon pic of me up there. UGH!!


Mrs. G. was one of my FIRST commenters when I first started. She found me in the blogosphere when I was still trying to "find myself". No really...I don't mean in the metaphysical way. I mean I was struggling to find my way back to my own blog. Remember that technically challenged thing I've mentioned before? Are you starting to get that there's a theme??


My first comment from her was from A Week Already:

Mrs. G. said...
Welcome to the blogging world Mary. You seem like you are going to be good at it!
October 12, 2007 11:42 AM

WOW!! This kicka$$ blogger was a fortune teller too? ;)


Well...throughout this past year, I've followed Mrs. G., and the remainder of the G family. (Hey, what can I say? We G's have gotta stick together!) Now, when I say follow, I don't mean in a weird stalking way... well... not exactly in a weird stalking way. That was only a "temporary" restraining order. We worked it all out after the police arrived.

...digressing again... back to the point...


Mrs. G. usually closes comments on her Thursday posts because she says it's all about her guest. Well, this week...I'm making it all about her and she doesn't even know it. I don't have nearly the following she has, but I have a WONDERFUL group of readers who I know will embrace her wit.


Mrs. G.'s daughter is leaving this week for college. I feel like I'm saying goodbye too, although I've only read everything there is to know stories about her. As a stalker follower, I've watched the G family go through the college selection process, been part of job challenges, and watched this family grow. They are an awesome bunch, and when I drove through Washington after my grandmother passed I considered stalking trying to meet.

In her blog, Mrs. G. asked for advice from her readers to her daughter. "What advice do you wish someone would have given you when you went off to college?" Well...what I wanted to put was, "True friends WILL hold your hair back." But then, I get the feeling this young lady knows what true friendship is. I think she has that with her mother.


So, Grandy is a little bit more worried about Mrs. G. hitting the bottle hard taking it a little hard. The lovely Miss G is going to be just fine conquering the world. But...Mrs. G.?

Yeah...she's going to be just fine.

After all, she has all of us stalkers followers to keep her warm and fuzzy. Maybe we could all go to her for advice...and with attitude...and she'll feel a little more comfy?

HERE'S TO YOU DERFWAD!!!!

The Prettiest Dump EVER

A few weeks back (alright maybe it was a couple months back already) Grandy and her family took a trip along the coast with some friends. I thought it was time to finally load some pics from my camera and show you one of our stops.

We stopped at Glass Beach.

Glass Beach used to be a landfill. I don't recall what happened or how it happened (it was a blah blah blah thing) but the glass was broken down and the entire beach is made of glass.

People come from all over come and pick out beautiful pieces of glass of all shapes and sizes. It's not good to keep the glass, although some people were filling JARS. Really? If everyone did that, then there truly would be none left eventually.

Some people come to see the local creatures. They come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the McCracken.


Oh stop...Really, that's the Grandy Hubby's rear...He never reads my blog so he doesn't know that I just posted his cute hiney on my blog. Scroll down now...nothing to see here.... really.

Actually, there will be a special place for me in Hell for me someday, simply based on the fact that I was trying to catch a picture of a real McCracken. It was B.A.D. and so was I. He showed crack even before he bent over.

Wait...what's this? A native exhibiting signs of lunacy by donning the tribal glass beads.

There's a rare picture of Grandy, sitting next to her dear friend "E". Dang it girl...you need to look at the camera next time. She was also enthralled with all the glass around.

For the record, we didn't keep any of the glass...we just enjoyed finding all the colors. It's kind of like a different kind of treasure hunt. It truly was a treasure hunt day because the small town nearby even had a Starbucks. See my little java there?

GOOD TIMES!!!

Fight BACK!!

See this picture?

I took this picture with my cell phone at about 10:00 last night, 12 hours into our 24-hour fundraiser for RELAY FOR LIFE this weekend.

This year we were at a different location, and it seemed a little more disconnected as we were farther spread out, but it was a success. Our little community raised about $58,000 towards cancer research, and assistance.

This year's message, "FIGHT BACK!"

We all wrote personal pledges to do something to "FIGHT BACK!" against Cancer. The pledges were no more than a personal commitment to make. Simple or grand, the choice was yours. Some wrote pledges like:

- Help my Grandma quit smoking.

- Drive a cancer patient to treatment.

- Wear sunblock

- Get a mammogram

Ty's personal pledge cracked me up. Maybe it was the fact that he told me at the end, and I was feeling a bit punchy, but his pledge: Not to smoke. Great pledge for a 12 year old, don't you think?

The purpose of taking this pledge is that you...that's right YOU can make a difference in saving someones life, saving your own, and making a difference.

What was Grandy's personal pledge?

To raise awareness... and do more.

I don't know how yet, but I'm hoping I can use my blog to help with that. I will commit to doing more to raise awareness. As I think back, I have been trying to do more to raise awareness already...May was Race for the Cure, June had Click My Button for Cancer, and of course last week's RELAY FOR LIFE.

I was trying to do this without even realizing it...raise awareness that is. If I can get everyone of you to be more active and aware of what you can do, and what is out there, then I'm meeting my goal. Hey, your clicks helped raise enough to grant a free mammogram to one lucky woman. See how easy it can be to do more?

It was an emotional weekend indeed. After several years of trying to get my dear friend's mother to come...she did. Her husband battled cancer for several years, before it took him 2 1/2 years ago. Then this last year she battled it herself. She is a survivor.

In the evening we all got together and had our Luminaria ceremony. People wrote messages on bags to honor their survivors, or remember those they've lost. They lit the track and we had a ceremony and silent walk in honor of them all. It is always an emotional walk, but she came in time for this. She began to cry... heavily.

By the time we had made it around the track, she felt emotionally drained, but charged at the same time. She has always kept her pain to herself, but by being surrounded by so many survivors, and family, and caregivers, she realized she was not alone.

As we hugged at the end of our lap, and cried, she thanked me. She thanked me for all my efforts, and for asking her to come every year. She thanked me for the connection she had made that night, and the support she felt. She cried as I reminded her that we are all in this fight together, and she need not feel alone. We cried together...and it was beautiful.

Grandy is a bit tired. She was visiting with Hubby, after taking a shower, and didn't realize she was falling asleep as he filled her in on his weekend. Sorry Sweetie!! After about a 4 hour nap, I figured I would come back and let you all know how it went.

I also want to ask you...what will be your pledge to "FIGHT BACK"? Can you commit to one thing? Something for yourself? I know this is a personal thing for everyone, so if you want to share your commitment in the comments, you can. If you are not comfortable sharing what your pledge is, please just drop a line to tell me you've made one.

Come on everyone... FIGHT BACK!!!

Rewind & Repeat

How was every one's weekend? Good? Did you Dads have a good Father's Day? I want to thank everyone who stopped by and commented on my note to Dad.

I spent the weekend with my twin sister. She so rocks! I don't know if I had any readers when I wrote this post, but I thought it important to re-post. It was so great to spend time with her and her wonderful family, that I just had to share her with you.

My Twin is Better than Yours
originally posted October 17, 2007

The fact that I only have one child causes me some anxiety sometimes. I never planned it this way. I always assumed after I got married, I'd see how the other half of the Mom's tried it. I was going to see what it was like to have a child WITH my husband. Alas (...sigh...) the health issues (previously mentioned in my other posts) determined that for me, and one is what I get.

When my son was in kindergarten, I was always so afraid for him. He rode the bus by himself, rode his bike in the court by himself (of course I watched, CPS back off), heck he would do so much by himself, or on his own, I am just amazed by his bravery. Knowing he would be an only child, although he seems perfectly fine with it, broke my heart and it took me quite a while to understand why. I never had to do anything by myself!

You see, I am 1/2 of a pretty well balanced twin team. My twin sister is truly my best friend. She is the Yin to my Yang. People always ask, "You mean there's another one just like you out there?" Heck no!! That would be absolutely crazy. You might say we are the same person, in a parallel universe (you Star Trek fans know what I mean).

I like to describe us as:
She's right handed and I am left.
She's got naturally straight hair, whereas mine is fresh from the electrical outlet.
She has brown eyes and I have blue.
She's good at Math & Science, where my interests have always been more Arts & History.
She's a bit more on the reserve side, where I'm kinda out there. (Not a professional diagnosis however).
She's tall and thin...Um...Okay, maybe we do have a lot in common (NOT)!!

We were pretty sure the Wonder Twins had NOTHING on us. Put us on a game show and we would bring home the prizes for sure!!

We're often asked, "What's it like being a twin?" To that, my answer is always "What's it like not being a twin?" I don't know how to be anything else. I have never had to do the whole alone thing. Obviously we had our own interests and did different things from time to time, but I have always had her to lean on. I have no idea where I would be, were it not for her, and I am constantly thankful for that.

There was a well known rule between my twin and I while growing up. If I asked permission from our folks, to do anything, the answer would always be "No!". However, if my sister asked the same darned question, it would inevitably be "Yes!" Oh how she would use that one over me. It was never known why at the time, but I used to do everything...short of physical harm (again, trying to keep CPS off my back)...to get her to ask for permission. We later asked Mom why this would be...and she simply said, "We always trusted her judgment more than yours". DUH!!! Of course you did!! I know I would!!

Now we are both grown up, with families of our own (who knew she'd end up with 3 boys) and yet we still talk every day! She lives a couple hours away, but we do try to see each other as often as we can. She has seen me through some very "interesting" (insert any appropriate adjective here) times. Maybe there was something to Mom's idea of judgment? Hmmmm....

Ever since that movie Beaches, my Mom has always she sees those girls as us. I guess to some cheesy/corny degree she is right. She IS "the wind beneath my wings". My hope? That I'm not the hole in her hot air balloon.

One of the best things about my sister? And another thing we don't have really in common, but a good quality I strive to have?? Her ability to NOT take things personally. She doesn't care much about what other people think. She lets things roll off her back pretty well, and amazes me every day. I only wish I had that quality. I'm getting better as I get older, but she stays 3 steps ahead of me.

When I grow up, I want to be like my sister!!

Thanks Cara!!

You ROCK!!!

Race for the Cure

More than just a Mother's Day Weekend, this weekend is also the annual Komen Race for the Cure, an event specifically designed to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer and research.

Every year I am impressed with the level of involvement this event inspires. It's a beautiful reunion for survivors and family alike. To raise money and awareness is a noble thing, and every year it just gets bigger and bigger.

The event started out as a pact between two sisters, and has grown into quite an organization with events raising money throughout the country. I cry when I read the "Who We Are" story, written by Nancy Brinkler, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

As we go into the weekend, thinking about all the mothers in our lives, let's pause to remember those we've lost to this horrible disease, and those amazing ones that have overcome.

To all my friends participating in this weekend's festivities, Go Gettem!!!

To my friends who have been afflicted with the disease, I honor and remember each of you.

Pennies from heaven my A$$

Luck is a chance happening, or that which happens beyond a person's control. Luck can be good or bad. (As told by the brainiacs at Wikipedia)

Funny how one word...Luck...can make people do silly things. If a ball player thinks that his special underwear is his "lucky" pair, then he'll wear them to every game without washing. Ewww!! This is what we call Superstition.

Superstition (Latin superstes, "standing over", "set above") is a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge. The word is often used pejoratively to refer to supposedly irrational beliefs of others, and its precise meaning is therefore subjective. It is commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual beings. (Yep...making friends with the Wiki tonight)

Are you superstitious? Do you consider yourself lucky?

Would that be with the good luck or the bad?

Well, the Grandy family went out Kayaking with some friends today. These people have been friends of ours for YEARS. We get together with them quite often. Hubby has been close with the husband of this family for even longer. High school trouble makers, I'm sure.

Well picture this...beautiful day...calm water at the lake...hardly anyone there...awesome scenery (I'll be posting the pics later)...and just a perfect day. We're all Kayaking, and we get to a little sandy area. The kids are skipping stones and having a glorious time. The hubbies decide to take the boys out on an adventure while we wifeys relax in the sun. What a glorious day indeed.

Then...this Grandy opened her eyes and realized there was quite a storm cloud over us. Where did that come from? We better start heading back. Then it happened. It started to rain.

Not just rain people, it started to pour, then HAIL. "Hail the size of pennies," is what the news reported later. We were 3 miles from the boat doc. The Hubby's were outside the perimeter telling us to hurry...as mine shouted "EVERY ONE FOR THEMSELVES".

Did I mention there was thunder and lightening??

Have you ever had pennies thrown at you? It was freezing and it HURT!!

Now Grandy has to tell you that she's slowly trying to get back in physical shape from her surgery, but to row 3 miles, in the hail and rain (with lightening on her a$$) was a bit much for her.

I laughed the first half of the way, then it became less fun as I was so tired I thought I would hurl.

I finally get to land an our friend, T (friend hubby), says that he's sorry that they've jinxed us?? They failed to mention that every time they go on a new adventure with friends, something weird happens with the weather.

Whoahwha??

Um...Grandy didn't have the heart to tell them...it was she who had jinxed them. Don't they know by now that life is always an adventure with Grandy?? If not, they do now.

I wonder if having this Luck will now make them have more Superstitions. Would you??

I'll take a Drowned-Wet-Rat...to GO!!

Hello Readers!! I write this post to say happy WINDSDAY!!!

We're having quite the storm here. No worries...I didn't drive my cute little bug today...I drove the 1-ton truck (I smart lady). There are trees everywhere in the road, power lines are swaying, and I even had to go help my assistant get a tree off her car.

I do officially look like a drowned-wet-rat!!

I have had no power at my house all day, so I'm not sure when I will get to post or comment. It's only going to get worse, so the bosses are sending us home early.

**shhhh*** Ixnay on the Ostingpay from Orkway!!

I couldn't NOT tell you why I might be gone for a couple days!! What kind of friend would I be? You'd be all worried, and send out the search party, or be thinking that I left to go back to Mexico (hmmmmm).

Let's send our love to Dee, over at onthecurb, who is locked and loaded to have her twins TOMORROW!!!!! I'm crossing my fingers, toes and legs for you Dee!! You're beautiful and you're going to do fine!! Remember to BREATHE!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!! And Happy WINDSDAY!!!! Let's go play in the rain...shall we?