I'm shaving my head!!

You heard it right!  My dear friend, Corinne, and I are teaming with St. Baldricks and shaving our heads in an effort to raise as much money as possible for childhood cancer research by October 9th.

Did you know that every 3 1/2 minutes a child in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer?

While I haven't personally known any children with cancer, my family has definitely been affected by it.  My father-in-law had multiple meylomal cancer.  He died a few months after my husband graduated from High School.  I never had the chance to meet him.  One of my uncle's also lost his life to cancer.  I can think of at least a handful of others who have also struggled with cancer.  Some of them have been able to beat it, and some of them haven't.  I will be shaving my head in their honor.

Corinne and I talk regularly about wanting to be good people and wanting to help others.  As more people we love are being diagnosed with cancer, we have wondered what we can do make an impact.  We have chosen to do our part by teaming with an amazing organization called St. Baldricks.  In short, St. Baldricks raises money to fund essential cancer research.  By donating to St. Baldricks, your money is directly used to fund cancer research. In return, well, we're going bald...

In two weeks, after raising as much funds as we can, we will collectively hold our breath as we shave each other's heads.  Yikes!  The thought is a little terrifying and very overwhelming.  But we are confident that our emotions are nothing compared to the fear and anxiety young cancer patients feel when they lose their hair.  The difference- those children do not have a choice.

Now that's where you come in.  We each set a personal goal to raise $3,000 by October 9th. I still have a LONG way to go.  Will you help us reach and even surpass this goal?  Please, please consider donating to St. Baldricks.  Whether you can contribute $20 or $200 or $2000, ANY size donation is appreciated! 

To visit my web page and to make a tax deductible donation, click HERE.

We will also be donating all of the hair that is at least 8 inches long to Beautiful Lengths. It will then be used to a create free wigs for cancer patients.  Beautiful Lengths is an organization that partners with the American Cancer Society.

Please spread the word by telling your friends, families, and coworkers about this goal and how they can help.  Feel free to pass along this letter to anyone who might be interested.  Our shave date of October 9th is coming quickly!!

Messy Monday -- link up troubles

I have no Messy Monday activity today.  When I went to create the link party the website was down.  I went to create a new account with another site they have suspended their registrations for new people.  So sorry!!  If you still want to link up, just leave me a comment with the link to the post you want us all to see.

I've been very busy behind the scenes coming up with some new things for you all.  I have a couple of big announcements coming very soon.  Thanks for sticking with me.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Foodie Friday -- Pumpkin Oatmeal

Last night my kids asked if they could choose what we had for dinner.  I hesitatingly (is that a word?) said yes.  I braced myself for their choice and do you know what it was?  Pumpkin Oatmeal.  I'm totally serious.  And yeah...I totally scored in the I've-got-really-awesome-kids department.

So, about 20 minutes later my home smelled like I was walking through Heaven on a crisp Fall evening and my kids happily inhaled ate their oatmeal before going to bed.

Pumpkin Oatmeal (I got this idea from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook, but changed it up a lot)

• 4 cups oatmeal
• 8 cups water
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• .5 tsp cloves

1. Mix the water, sugar, and vanilla together and bring to a boil.
2. Add pumpkin, oats, and spices.
3. Return to boil and cook until thickened to your liking 
4. Serve with milk and butter.  YUM!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

Thoughtful Thursday -- Depression

I've been debating writing this post for several days.  I know it can be a touchy subject and I don't want to be insensitive to those of you reading this who are struggling with depression in any of it's forms.  Please know that I've given this a LOT of thought and feel like it is worth talking about.  Please also know that my intentions are pure and I mean no ill-will.

We have all had times in our lives when we've struggled with being depressed about something.  It can be caused by any number of reasons which may include a hormonal and/or chemical imbalance, post-partum depression, illness, trauma induced depression, etc.  It can be mild or extremely severe and it definitely affects a lot of people.

One of the medications the Dr. is trying me on for my fibromyalgia is an anti-depressant.  I have never been on one before and had a very hard time accepting that she thought I needed it.  She prescribed it to me because it has been known to help regulate sleep cycles in people with fibromyalgia.  After doing a ton of research I finally decided to give it a try.  And you know what?  It really has helped with regulating my sleep cycles (which have been severely messed up for years).

It has also helped with my mood.  I never thought I had "depression".  I've known for a long time that I'm struggling with being able to keep everything together.  I've known that I am sad a lot and would much rather stay at home than go be with people...and there's more too.  But in my mind, that wasn't depression.  That was just being overwhelmed.  It wasn't until I started taking an anti-depressant and noticed a big difference in how I feel emotionally that I realized/accepted that I really have been struggling with depression..  I never thought I would say this, but I am really glad I'm on it...at least for now.

I'm not saying everyone should run out and ask their Dr.s for depression drugs, all I'm saying is that there is no reason to be embarrassed or self-conscious about it.  If anything, be proud of yourself for taking your well-being into your own hands and being pro-active in making your life better!

For those of you who have friends or family struggling with Depression, all I can say is be kind.  Love them and support them the best you know how.  Don't judge them or treat them like it's their fault.  Just love them and know that they are doing the best they can!

"Depression isn't a sign of weakness, it is a sign of being strong for a little too long."  I don't know who said it, but I heard it this week from my sister-in-law and really liked it.

Whatever Wednesday -- Becoming a "Room Mom"

I somehow got talked into being the "Room Liaison" for Daisy's class.  That's the Fancy way to say Room Mom.  She is super excited.  I'm trying to be.  :)

I talked to the Teacher last Friday and asked what she needed long term and if there was anthing I could do short term until I can get everything organized with the other parents.  She said she had some lamination to cut out.  I said, "Oh sure...no problem."  Then she showed me the lamination she needed cut.  I almost wet myself.  HOLY SMOKES!

This is what I started with.

This is after an hour and a half with my handy-dandy paper cutter (thank you Costco).

This is what I still have left.  This will take me at least a few hours because each strip has 4-6 little squares and there are over 75.  Yeah me!