Support Diana during her annual ride for cleaner air

Click here to cheer Diana on and sponsor her for this worthy cause.

Thank you!











In September of this year I will be riding in Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails' 22nd Annual Bike Trek. The ride starts on Friday, September 5th and ends Sunday, September 7th . I am excited about this challenge, which is why I am asking you help me accomplish my personal fundraising goal.

Your gift will make a difference in the lives of many! To support this great cause you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also mail your tax-deductible contribution, payable to BCSET, to Breathe California, 909 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Breathe California impacts tremendous numbers of people ... think of how many people you know with asthma, lung cancer or emphysema. Did you know that smoking causes 90% of all lung diseases? Or that almost 45,000 children in our region suffer from asthma?

We can help Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails eliminate youth smoking, help teach children to manage their asthma, and continue to educate the public about clean air by supporting their programs and taking action. You can help me reach my goals by pledging as much as you can by either mailing a check or donating online.

Thank you for your support and I promise you I will complete this challenging event with Breathe California, to help us all breathe easier.

Thanks!
Diana

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://events.sacbreathe.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1002301&pg=personal&fr_id=1100&et=sPL2HUnrUCuT6cjymqtMtA..&s_tafId=2541

Click here to view the team page for Team Superdog

Happy Birthday Michael...

I will never forget... *kotc*

Have a wonderful,
marvelous,
beautiful,
magnificent
birthday today!

Just like you.
I love you always...

Bethany and Tommy are moved

My daughter called me last night. Her and Tommy are all moved in. They still have boxes everywhere, but their bed is up and they're spending their first night in their new home. She said they had some trouble with the rental truck in the beginning and left later than they wanted to on Monday and once in New York Tommy's parents had problems exiting the parkway because apparently there is a "no trucks allowed" rule, but other than that it went well.

I have to thank Tom and Lynn for all of their support in this move for the kids. You both have given more to them than I will ever be able to do. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping financially and physically with the move from Michigan to Long Island. Thank you for taking them to the store for groceries and setting them up with needed items.

My heart is filled with gratitude for both of you and all you have done for the kids. Both Bethany and I are humbled by your generosity and kindness. Someday someone somewhere will pay it forward like you have... I pray when you receive your gift, it is more than anything you have given.

I can't thank you enough.

understanding the reason

People Come Into Your Life...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, ...
... you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

You are a part of my life,
whether you were a reason,
a season or a lifetime.

every day is a new day

live like it's Heaven on Earth

we choose how to live

Friends have shown me a world of inspiration at www.pravsworld.com.
From time to time I will share a bit of encouragement, enlightment and hope.
I pray you find peace while you walk the path you have chosen to follow.

I choose to walk in faith, hope and love... and live my dreams today.

shaping your stone well

Dear Candy and Allen,

Thank you both for the wisdom you have given, the concern you have shown and the love you have shared. Your philosophy is deeply rooted in truth, honor and a life lived with purpose. Thank you for sharing your family with me and their thoughts expressed below.

You have touched my heart and my soul... I have grown.
I am grateful God has blessed me with you both in my life.
I am honored to count you as true friends.

_____________________

STONE

Reading, sleeping, talking and thinking lots- - -

About how short life is regardless of how you cut it,

Health issues aside. There are a few decades we have

which just swim by in the blind precession of days

what matters? From where I am, I see several

really simple and important things:

Shaping your stone well; that's your part in civilization

Loving - - other humans matters most

Taking the next step; it's always hard

Shaping your stone means quietly doing your job,

As well as you can. Your identity will soon be lost

To history but your stone, if well shaped and polished

Will fit into the structure we call civilization and hold its

Weight, as time sweeps past us and others build upon us.

History is full of greed, horror and the worst in mankind

But humanness is built of well shaped loving times.

What we do matters and if there is beauty in the world it is

Because so many quiet souls have shaped their stones well

And the cathedral of life is beautiful after all.

Loving matters most - - friendships are what

Make living good and full or empty. Giving and

Being real, the good and bad, but sharing it all in

Loving acceptance and without judgment. We are

So similar under the skin and we need each other.

Taking the next step, is about the hard part of life.

It's about courage and it does mean trying to

Do what's next, even though it's painful. It also

Means taking the next step, not the next ten at once,

But the important (essential) thing is to keep moving,

Even if however slowly it seems.

What death and life mean are beyond

Knowing for now. I don't believe we blink

Out like a light but that could be egotism or

False hope. It doesn't matter for now; for now

There is my stone to chip and polish,

Souls to love and be truly myself with and

Always the next awkward step to take.

I hope you dance

From my loving caring sister.
No explanations necessary.
I love you Sher!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,
'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of
all that is,
has been,
will be,
and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have.

I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm...
but how to dance in the rain.

I hope you dance....

Happy 13th Birthday Chase!

Watch out world! There's a teenager in the house. Woo hoo! LOL
My nephew Chase turns thirteen today... he is an amazing young man.
He is my hero... :-)

Congrats Andrea & Jeff!

Saturday, August 9th, 2008
A Day of Joy and Celebration



"Mom, if you're going to act like this, I'm never having a wedding!"

My daughter said it half way teasing... {I hope! LOL} What can I say... I'm an old softie...

The moment I saw Andrea in the distance walking towards us, arm in arm with her father Chris, I began to weep. I remembered the times when she was so very young and our families did those "family things" that you do with good friends.

Living in Michigan, the seasons brought different activities. The trips to the beach and lake, the times by the pool and the barbeques, the New Year's Eve parties, Christmas parties and egg coloring for the Easter Bunny at grandma's. The trip to Chicago so all the kids could see the Bozo Show in person and sit in the train while they taped. So many good times were had while our children were young. So many very good memories...

And here was this beautiful glowing woman walking towards us. She graduated from GVSU with her bachelors in nursing. She's working, living, loving and giving. Her soul mate, Jeff, shares her values and goals and dreams. They both live life to the fullest with all the gusto there is to have and before they even met they walked a similar path. God has brought together two cores that match. It was beautiful to watch. Beautiful to feel. Beautiful to be a small part of...

So I teared up. And then weeped. Silent tears rolling down my cheeks as she walked past giddy and happy and ready to be married to the love of her life. It was a beautiful moment.

I told Bethany that someday she'd be older like me and the history of the past won't be a sad memory but a joyful one that brings on the emotions. The tears were of joy for what had been and also for what is to come. There is so much more life to live.

For my true and loyal long time friend Pam, grandchildren are going to be here shortly I have a feeling... what a wonderful life you have ahead! You are truly blessed Pam... but I don't need to tell you that. You already know...

Thank you for allowing me to experience your joy this past weekend...
I feel truly blessed to have been there. I only wish I could have done something more than simply showing up. You have a heart of gold. I love you.

{{{{hugs}}}}

i washed my sporty today

we rode in the rain... *s*

mosh pit

Last night at 11:41 p.m. my phone dinged. A text from my son said he'd just gotten out of a mosh pit at Rage against the Machine. I had been watching the webcast here and there during the past two days but had turned off the computer by this time. Darn! I missed it... lol

I can hear the excitement in Joel's words. He's having a great time. I'm so happy for him...

My daughter called 'just to talk' yesterday also. Well that, and to check on her e-Bay reminders while she was working... lol

I love being a mom. Nothing in the world like it! My children are the love of my life. I have no regrets for the choices that have brought me to this day. I can't see how my life could get any better.

My world is complete.

:-)

another first with food

Each new day seems to bring a new first of something for me - whether it's a story, an experience or simply a new beginning. Last night Larry took me out for seafood. Now granted, over the years the 'Midwest' diet of roast, steak and potatoes were regular every day food staples. The past few years, basically chicken, cheerios and Caesar salads have reigned supreme with an occasional chimichunga. Not much variety.

This year he's had me eating fish, shrimp and crab cakes to name a few of the new firsts in the food category. At the party last weekend, I decided to be adventurous on my own and tried crab legs where you had to break the shell to eat the meat. They were delicious. Well, last night he wanted to know if I had ever had octopus... calamari. No, I responded. "Good," he stated, "That's what we're having then."

Omgosh... You know what? It wasn't anything my preconceived ideas thought it would be! LOL

He ordered a sampler plate and there were other seafood items. A wonderful crab dip. All kinds of shrimp and sauces. These little balls filled with something really hot. All of it was excellent. All of it were things I would never have tried just a few short years ago.

Every time I try something new, my life expands a bit more. Even with something as simple as food. When I first started living again, I always said that I wanted to try everything. It is the only way to live.

To try.
Everything.
At least once.
Every thing.
:-)