I need your help, PLEASE!

Hey y'all, I need some help and input from all of you. I am trying to pick out what post to submit to Mel's Creme de la Creme and I am stuck. I have narrowed it down to 3 posts but, I'm open to suggestions if you think another post is better. Here are the three posts I've narrowed it down to...

1) The Power of Our Love - I feel this captures the spirit of our community in a fabulous fashion.

2) Things I Believe In - This post captures a lot of who I am.

3) V is for Victor - This post is sweet and special and very dear to my heart but I'm not sure it's my best.

Which post would you pick?

An Amazing Little Girl

See this beautiful little girl...

Her name is Lizzie and her mom, Jen of In One Ear, is a dear friend of mine. I got an email from Jen today directing me to a new blog she set up for a project Lizzie is spearheading. See, Lizzie wants to raise $1000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and, for every dollar you donate, she will fold one of those gorgeous little origami cranes she is holding and will write the donor's name on a wing. When she is done raising money, she will have a chain of 1000 cranes with 1000 names to donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation along with the money.

I beg and plead of you, I know money is tight. I know a bunch of you are helping me with another project but, dig through your purse or look under your couch cushions and gather up one dollar. Head on over to Cranes4aCure and email Lizzie and her mom Jen (the email address is at the bottom of the post) to find out how to donate that dollar. While you are there, take a minute to click on the follow button. That way, you will get to see a picture of each crane as Lizzie makes them. Help this amazing little girl reach her goal. I have $5 I am planning on sending in...one dollar for each member of my family. Whose going to join me?

A Baffling Case of the Blogging Blahs

Y'all might have noticed that I haven't been posting or commenting with my normal fervor (jeez, self-important much?). I'd like to say I had a good excuse like running away to the Bahamas with my pool-boy Raoul or inheriting from a long lost relative and using the money to jet off to Paris.  Sadly, it's nothing that exciting.  I think a good dose of an extra busy schedule + dealing with a recalcitrant laptop = a great big case of the blogging blahs. I've been reading a bit and trying to keep up with what's important (I know there have been two ALI babies born) but I've been a total slackard when it comes to commenting and showing my support to all of you wonderful people. I'm still suffering from the blogging blahs but I need to get myself out of my writing slump. So, I'm going to get off my ass and give y'all the general life update I've been promising and then I'm going to ask a favor.

My little family went through a pretty big change right around the end of 2010. My husband's job situation changed. To understand why this change was made, I have to give you the back story. A few years ago, Vic became the 911 director in a little local town. Now, as most of you know, Vic was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes right after Gabe was born. Some Type 2 diabetics have a fairly easy time controlling their disease...a little diet change, maybe a little bit of meds, and all is well.  That was not Vic's situation. Vic falls on the extreme end of insulin resistance. Nothing except meds and a bunch of them stood a snowball's chance in hell of controlling his diabetes. Now, as Vic's endocrinologist explains it, if they live long enough, all type 2 diabetics will eventually reach the point where they require insulin shots and not just oral meds to control their diabetes. Well, once again, Vic fell into the short end of the odds and, in January '09, his pancreas decided that since his body was rude enough to not use the insulin it made then there was no reason to continue producing it. Although he is still technically a Type 2 diabetic, he is completely insulin dependent (with his huge heaping helping of insulin resistance on top of it). As most medical people know, stress can affect blood sugar levels. And, for my husband, the office work of being 911 director was much, much more stressful than actually being on the console and dispatching calls. As the past 2 years went by, Vic started noticing that on the days he was in the office, his blood sugar would go through huge spikes and it was taking more and more insulin to control them (not good when you already have to take enough insulin that it could drop an elephant in it's tracks)...so much insulin that it was affecting his ability to do the job to the best of his ability. However, on the days he had to fill in on the console, his blood sugar levels were much more stable and he avoided having to take extra doses of insulin. So, after much soul searching and a little bit of beating his type A personality into submission, Vic decided for the sake of his family and his health, he needed to step down as the 911 director. Since the beginning of the year, Vic has been working as senior telecommunicator (dispatcher) and it has done wondrous things for his blood sugar levels. In the past month, his blood sugar was only above 200 on two occasions and, even with dropping his evening dose of Lantus (an insulin type) from 170 units (see, I told you it was enough to drop an elephant) to 100 units, there have been many mornings when his blood sugar was on the low end of acceptable. Yeah, the step down in position has meant a bit of a pay cut but it is helping Vic's health immensely and that is worth more than any amount of money you can mention.

In addition to all the changes with Vic's job, there is all the normal kid based craziness going on. There have been multiple birthday parties to attend. School events to fit into our schedule. I've got the paperwork to register Gabe for kindergarten (GULP...he can't be that grown up already). Joey is testing for his deputy black belt in Tae Kwon Do this weekend so we've had a lot of prep work to do for that. And, Marty is turning 14...holy shit how did THAT happen?

So, now to the favor. When I get the blogging blahs, I tend to flounder around searching for topics. So, can y'all please ask some questions, suggest some topics, or even suggest something or someone I should feature. Help this bitch out...I'm declaring a HaBO emergency.

*In response to battynurse's comment, that is only one of the types of insulin Vic is on. He takes three different types.

A Call To Arms

Y'all, I want us to do something for Wiseguy. Something to let her know that her Lola will never be forgotten. I need all of you to click on this link and email me because I have an idea about what we can do for her. Please spread the news and repost this so everyone who knows and loves Wiseguy can join in. The turn around on this will be short so contact me soon.

*The link is working for some and not for others...don't know why. If it doesn't work for you, just use the regular email me link and put Wiseguy in the subject line.

**The link is PISSING me off.  Here is my email addy cruzowlpost at att dot net

Update on Lola...

I just got off the phone with Wiseguy. I passed on all the prayers and positive thoughts to her and she is extremely thankful for them. She's holding up pretty well but I could hear the tears in her voice a couple of times. I didn't get all the details about why they delivered early (it might have had to do with Wiseguy's blood pressure...she had some issues with that early on I think) but I did get a Lola update.

Wiseguy said that Lola was born strong and apparently healthy (HUGE PLUS) but then developed problems. It turns out the Miss Lola had a small hole in her heart (likely a *Patent Ductus Arteriosus...very common in premature babies) and that caused problems with pulmonary hypertension. The doctors feel that given how healthy Lola was at birth, she stands a very high likelihood of being ok. Lola is on a ventilator. If Lola's hole is a PDA, this is common treatment because this assists breathing and allows the baby to grow and hopefully allows the PDA to resolve itself.

Since I called poor Wiseguy out of the blue, I didn't keep her on the phone too long and didn't get too many details. I am guessing that the diagnosis is a PDA but it could be some other variety of problem (PDA is most likely). As I told Wiseguy, prognosis is often good when these babies are born healthy. Please, please keep Wiseguy and Lola in your prayers. Since she is having trouble with her internet access/blog update, I am going to stay in touch with her and get you updates in as timely a manner as possible.

*Wikipedia actually has a very good page on Patent Ductus Arteriosus if you want to educate yourself about it.

Wiseguy and Lola need us...

I got a message from Wiseguy yesterday. I don't have any details but Wiseguy and Lola need our prayers. Lola is in the NICU and "she is on ventilator and fighting for life." Please go over to Wiseguy's blog Woman Anyone? and offer your support.

My friend...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious little girl.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Remember when I told you all about my love affair with John S. Barrowman.  Well, that was part of pulling a John.C. Mayer and screwing with the internet and google.  This time, Aunt Becky is rallying her Pranksters and asking us to join her in pulling a The David Cook for charity.  Basically, pulling a The David Cook for charity is the same as pulling a John C. Mayer but it's for good not eeeeeevil.  We're using the fun ability to screw with google to promote one or more worthy charities.

I know just about everyone out there has heard of Susan G. Komen for the Cure (and I mentioned them in a post here).  What many of you may not realize is that Susan G. Komen for the Cure started out as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  It was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, Susan's younger sister, because she felt her sister's life might have been saved if more had been know about breast cancer.  In 2007 on the 25th anniversary of it's founding, the name was officially changed to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and since then it is often referred to as simply Komen.  In it's relatively short life of only 28 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised $1.5 billion for the fight against breast cancer.  Everyone (at least those who don't live under a rock) has heard of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure which is probably the best know fundraiser sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure but I bet most of you didn't know you can sign up to Sleep in for the Cure and just snooze away on the morning of the 5K Race for the Cure and still raise money.  I'm not sure that is available at all sites but I know the Komen NC Triangle affiliate offers this option.  Komen offers many other ways  to raise money too.  You can go Passionately Pink for the Cure.  All that requires is gathering a group of friends, wearing pink, doing something together, and raising money.  You can donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure by donating online or by texting.  If you are more ambitious, not less, you could participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure which i a 3 day, 60 mile event or the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure.  No matter what your proclivities or inclinations, there is a way you can help.  And, you should help Komen because every single one of you either is or has a mother, daughter, sister, or friend who is a woman and that means EVERY single one of you could be affected by this disease.

My bear named Susan G. Komen of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

While I've told you all about Komen, I haven't told you why it is so very important to me.  Years ago, my baby sister went through a breast cancer scare.  Thank God it turned out to be nothing.  However, for two dear friends of mine, it wasn't just a scare.  Monica Mingo of Rantings of a Creole Princess is a long term breast cancer survivor.  Her breast cancer was found when she was in her early 20s.  By that time, Komen had been spearheading efforts to find the cure for over a decade.  Without Komen's efforts, the treatments that cured her cancer might not have been available.  Much more recently, a dear cross stitch friend, Mary, had her own fight against breast cancer.  I know without a doubt that Mary's fight was aided by treatments that were discovered with funds from Komen.  Without the efforts of this wonderful organization founded by Nancy G. Brinker, I might have never had the chance to befriend Monica (otherwise known to my kids as T-Monnie) and my friendship with Mary might have been cut tragically short.  So, that's why Komen has my undying gratitude and support.

Now, head on over to Aunt Becky's and join all the pranksters in pulling a The David Cook for charity.  Go on.  You know you wanna.  How often do you get to screw with the internet and help out a good cause at the same time.  SO GO ALREADY! (this link tells you about it) 

Also, CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT EFFORTS ALREADY! (this link shows who is participating)

******************************

And please, please, please comment and use either Susan G. Komen for the Cure or Komen in your comment.  If you know how to make it a link (instructions here), that's even better.

Support needed for a fellow Land of IF resident...

Hey y'all, Lynn over at Wistful Girl needs our support. Please head on over and let her know we're here for her. Lynn is such a dear, sweet woman and she deserves better than the hand she's been dealt.

Monday Miscellany

First of all, let me thank Mrs. Spit for the post title. Now, on to all the good nonsense.

• Last night was Gabe's final night in his toddler bed. He has really outgrown it (the mattress is only 8 inches longer than him) and we have been trying to make room in out budget for a twin bed/bunk bed. We lucked out and one of Joey's friends just got a new bed and we were given his old bunk bed (and the box springs). I scored an almost new mattress for only $20 and it will be set up this afternoon.
• My friend Jen is giving away a great pack of eco0friendly lunchboxes. Go check out her Get Lucky blog and enter the giveaway.
• Remember the *HaBO portion of this post...well, Anissa's husband posted a wonderful update on her today and let us know that he sent in the Extreme Makeover Home Edition application. He also posted an address for anyone who wants to add letters to the packet. PLEASE SUPPORT THEM and write a letter.
• Mayhem & Moxie is sponsoring a giveaway and the prize includes a 12″ x 12″ personalized piece from Modern Bird Studios and a Wi-Fi 16GB iPad. But, don't go enter because I want to win it.
• My veggies are growing, growing, growing.

So, what's going on in y'all 's life? Anything cool and new happening? What are you reading? Who have you met? Spill your secrets here.

*HaBo = Help A Bitch Out...an acronym coined by the brilliant women at Smart Women, Trashy Books

A Call To Arms

I have two things today that I really feel the need to bring to your attention. The first story is the sad case of Clay and Harold. Click on over and read about it and then come back to hear how you can help. Seriously, GO READ and then come on beck.

I found out about this case while reading my WildFire newsletter from AllRomanceEbooks and Omnilit. I can't tell you about it any better than they did so here it is...

Sometimes the best ideas come from out of the blue. Spur of the moment flashes of brilliance triggered by something we stumble upon in life. That is how ARe's most recent charitable venture came to our attention.

It all started early one morning with an email from book blogger Teddy Pig. The subject line read "Good Deeds and Dumb Ideas". Needless to say, we were intrigued. In spite of the comical title, the email contained a heart wrenching story and Teddy's reaction to it, a reaction we at ARe immediately shared.

To sum it up, there is a court case happening in Sonoma County, and until you read the details for yourself, you'd be hard pressed to believe that something like this could happen in the year 2010. Harold and Clay were partners for 20 years, doing everything they thought legally necessary to insure their future and security together. However when 88 year old Harold was hospitilized, his wishes and his power of attorney in the hands of the 77 year old Clay was not enough. The County of Sonoma declared everything the couple had built in their life together, as Harold's property alone, and auctioned it off to pay the bills, leaving Clay destitute.

We suggest you read the story HERE and form your own opinion.

Teddy was deeply affected by this story and immediately made a personal donation to the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) who is now working to get Clay back what was taken from him. Then Teddy, who is an avid reader, remembered that author JM Snyder had a book with the theme of this story for sale at ARe. Wouldn't it be great if we could capitalize on this book to somehow help, he asked? He was right, it would be great, and when ARe decided they wanted to help, and approached the author it all came together. JM Snyder was not only willing to donate a portion of the proceeds from her story Henry and Jim, she wanted to commit all JMS books for the cause.

JM describes the story for us. "Henry and Jim is a story I wrote with my grandfather in mind. He died of Alzheimer's Disease when I was younger, and I wanted to write a story about an older couple because so many M/M authors just deal with young, gorgeous characters who don't realistically portray today's gay men or their relationships... The story centers around two men, Henry and Jim, who have spent a lifetime together. Old men now, Henry reminisces about the love they've shared as he learns to cope with Jim's fading memory and his own fear of being forgotten."

During the month of May, 25% of the proceeds from ALL JMS Books will be donated to NCLR and ARe is matching her commitment and will be donating 25% of our proceeds as well. Readers who shop at All Romance/OmniLit and buy JMS Books by J.M. Snyder during the month of May will not only be getting a great read, they will be contributing to a great cause.

I've already bought my copy of Henry and Jim (it's only $1.99...wow) and I'm going to buy another book or two when my hubby gets paid. Even if you don't read romances, this is a great cause. Go buy a book! And, book challenge participants, in order to help get you to support the cause, this eBook (only an 18 page PDF) will count as a whole book!

********************

*HaBO: the Anissa Mayhew Edition

This is a much happier cause to support. I know a lot of you have been following Anissa's story. For those of you who haven't been following her story, why the hell not here is a quickie summary. Anissa is an amazing woman with a cast iron willpower who has seen one child through pediatric cancer and is now recovering from a nasty series of strokes. I haven't met Anissa myself but people I care about deeply introduced me to her blog and her story and I am totally hooked.

While Anissa has come phenomenally far in her recovery, she still has a ways to go. Her husband has decided to apply to Extreme Makeover Home Edition for help. Anissa's recovery would be helped immensely if they had a more disabled friendly home.

What I want you to do is go read about Anissa's journey and check out her return to blogging. If you feel even half as inspired as I do by her story, CLICK HERE and get the info on where to send a letter supporting their Extreme Home Makeover application. I know y'all can write. After all, most of you are bloggers. Even if you don't personally know Anissa, every single letter helps.

Now come on and HaBO. Anissa is most deserving


*Habo stands for Help A Bitch Out, a phrase I got from the lovely ladies at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

*HaBO: the Share Southern Vermont version

So many times, those of us in the ALI community feel like there is no one out there who understands, no one out there who cares. Well, Share is a group the does understand. Share is a group that offers support to anyone who has experienced the loss of a pregnancy or the loss of an infant. A member of our online ALI community, the fabulous Cara from Building Heavenly Bridges, is the founder of Share Southern Vermont, a most amazing branch of Share.

SSV is getting ready for their annual Remembrance Walk on May 8th. Last year, SSV had wonderful lavender t-shirts for participants of the Remembrance Walk and, this year, they have an even more amazing t-shirt design.Thanks to a wonderful family who donated ALL the t-shirts, you can get one of these gorgeous shirts for only $8 ($5 if you live close enough to Cara to pick it up yourself) and $5 goes to help grieving families (yeah, that's right, every cant except shipping goes to helping the families). The shirts are available in a wide range of sizes (child's xs to adult xxl). Pop over to Cara's blog and get the details on how to order a t-shirt. If you sent SSV money by clicking on the donate button, make sure you email Cara at the SSV email address with the details of how many shirts you want and what sizes you need.

I've already ordered mine...what are you waiting for?


*Habo stands for Help A Bitch Out, a phrase I got from the lovely ladies at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Bullets coming at you...(another HaBO added)

Go vote for me NOW in Lori's Limerick Chick contest...click on that nifty green button to your left.

This week, Joey's school has been celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday. One of the things they are doing is having Mystery Readers surprise the class. I'll be going in tomorrow as a mystery reader and I'll be reading one of the Skippyjon Jones books. I can't wait.

Marty almost didn't survive today's homeschooling session. We are studying Newton's Laws of Motion and he got so frustrated because he didn't instantaneously understand it that he became cranky, mouthy, and obnoxious. He's so lucky I have almost 14 years invested in him...grrrrrrrr.

I did something to my back the other day. I woke up stiff and then spent about an hour on the floor doing a puzzle with the kid. My lower back has been aching ever since. It sucks.

Only 5 months until BlogHer. I am so excited!!!! It's even better than it was before because my bestest buddy and sister by choice is going to be my roomie for BlogHer.

My baby sis totally rocks. She is going to watch the boys one night so Vic and I can go out to dinner and a movie.

A huge CONGRATS going out to Wishing4One who saw 2 beautiful heartbeats at 5 weeks 4 days!

A few HaBOs:

• Nancy found a weird lump and is getting it checked out tomorrow. Check in on her please.
• Hanen over at Sesame-Seed-Sized Dreams just received the birth certificate for her daughter who was killed at 34 weeks gestation in an auto accident. She could use some love and support.
• Eve at Pour Away The Ocean continues to grieve the loss of her son Will (lost at about 24 weeks gestation...not sure about the week) while she miraculously continues to carry his twin Abby. She is in the hospital fighting off pre-term labor that could cause the twins to be delivered before little Abby is ready. Let's rally around her.
• JJ over at Reproductive Jeans has had a biopsy done on possible skin cancer. Please go lend her your support.
  

Oh minions mine...

I have HaBO marching orders. I need you to go cheer Heather of Geek By Marriage on. She is QUITTING SMOKING and, with our help, this should be the last time she has to do this. GO HEATHER!!!

Also, Batty Nurse is giving away one of her fabulous blankets. Go enter her giveaway...NOW!

Finally, there is excitement aborning over at Two Hot Mamas. That's right, little Figgy is on her way. Please go wish them well.

SHOW AND TELL: the HaBO edition

Welcome to our weekly expedition into the land of Show and Tell. Y'all know Show and Tell is wasted on the elementary schoolers. Join us weekly to show off an item, tell a story, and get the attention of the class. In other words, this is Show and Tell 2.0.

My favorite Romance book web site, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, has a categories of posts called HaBO or Help a Bitch Out. Welcome to the ALI HaBO edition of Show and Tell.
See that incredibly cool baby blanket above...it was made by a dear member of our ALI community, Ms. BattyNurse herself. She makes the world's cutest baby blanket. I mean, I don't even have a baby girl in my life and I still bought that one. It called my name and begged me to buy it and bring it home, so I did. My hubby had the sheer nerve to suggest I give it to one of my nieces and I flat out refused. IT IS MINE! Ms. BattyNurse is raising money to pay for her FET which is scheduled for January. Go visit her Etsy shop, Batty Nurse Creations, and buy something really cute. BTW, she has been talking about taking custom orders for blankets so ask if you are looking for something special.

********************

Also, other opportunities for fun and helping people out abound right now. Kym of I'm a Smart One has issued a challenge to all of us in the ALI community. Kym says

As a blogoversary gift, help me continue to help parenthood efforts by helping Parenthood for Me. Many of you know that fellow ALI blogger Erica and her husband A.J. have been working hard to get their non-profit grant program off of the ground. For those who don't know, Erica and A.J. struggled with infertility and spent thousands of dollars in unsuccessful ART procedures. After much soul-searching, they shifted gears and pursued adoption. In 2008, they adopted a son, who is now the light of their lives.

Now, Erica and A.J. are dedicated to helping others find parenthood. Through Parenthood for Me (PFM), couples and individuals can apply for grants to help assist with some of the costly expenses involved with infertility treatments and adoption such as travel fees, attorney fees, medications not covered by insurance, and homestudy fees. They began accepting applications for grants on January 2nd, and the first grants will be awarded in June 2010.

As you can imagine, a rather large endowment must be built. So far, PFM has raised several thousand dollars. In April, Erica and A.J. are hosting the first Annual Family-Building Dinner and Silent Auction in Rochester, New York on April 10. This is the largest fundraiser to date and will really give PFM the wings it needs to fly. The cost is $100 per ticket, with over 50% of the price going directly to the endowment. Sponsors can also donate for various levels of recognition, from $3,000 Gold Sponsorship to donation of an item valued at $100 for the silent auction.

I would like for us, the ALI blogging community, to pull together and raise at least enough money for a $250 Table Sponsorship. A sign representing "us" would be placed on one of the tables at the dinner. What a powerful idea it is for us to be there in spirit, knowing that our efforts would go towards accomplishing someone, possibly one of us, achieve parenthood.

My goal is that by my blogversary of January 26, we'll have raised $250 (or more!) for an ALI Blogger table. To donate using either PayPal or a credit card, click the button below:

********************

Now for fun, sign up for two fun events is going on right now...Sock It To Me and the 2010 Book Challenge. Check them both out and sign up. You know you want to!

********************

To see what everyone else in class is bringing to SHOW AND TELL, take a trip to visit the Miss Mel, Goddess of the Infertility Blogosphere.