The Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk!

My sister-in-law Alena and I are going on a wonderful adventure together! We have signed up to do the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer 3 day walk in Dallas/Ft. Worth , Texas Oct 26-28,2007.
We wanted to do something outrageous together! Being able to raise money for such a wonderful cause and meet so many new and wonderful people...and walk our Asses off sounded perfect to us!
http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/workmanangel
This is my web page for the event where you can donate! Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated.
We have to raise at least $2200.00 each and would love to raise more!
Everyone knows someone...family or friend who has been affected by the devastation of cancer...including us!
My step-father died in 2000 from Bone Cancer....a very painful type of cancer. He was a wonderful man who did not deserve such a painful death! He faced it with dignity and humor, but with much sadness too. You see....he knew I was pregnant and was so excited about this grandchild...but passed away 7 months before the baby arrived.
I cannot tell you how much sadness I feel that my son will never get to meet this wonderful man...and vice versa!
So...I wanted to get more involved in helping any way I could in the fight against all types of cancers!
So please...give if you can....every little bit helps and will be Greatly Appreciated!
Cheers!

Communication

Over the years many different characteristics have been labeled the "it" factor for a successful relationship. "Trust", "Honesty", "Faithfulness". Sometimes we were counseled by books, magazines, and TV to be more selfish..."can't take care of someone else until you take care of yourself". Then it was selflessness..."putting others needs first feels good and gives your karma a boost". Good communication has also been in that mix over the years as well. "You need good communication in order to have a successful relationship". But...the experts either did not explain what good communication was...or... it was analyzed to death until it completely lost meaning. Kinda like this essay...feels like it's drifting off to nowhere in particular... Oh...that's right...communication as the Holy Grail in a successful relationship. Another bland and undefined phrase..."successful relationship"...too broad a term to get my head around sometimes. Does it mean we are happy? Does it mean we have been together a long time? Does it mean we are happy we have been together a long time? What? I think, and strictly my small contribution to society is "good communication" means... I say something of value to you, you clearly understand what I was saying by conveying what you heard back to me...somehow. I ackowledge the fact that you were listening and let you make your point about the subject matter and I actively listen to what you have to say. Rinse and Repeat!

I can't believe he really listened!

Okay...
so the three of us were at Home Depot yesterday...(myself, husband, and 6 year old son) buying gardening "stuff"...you know...soil, chemicals, tools....the fun, dirty stuff.
As my son and I wait just outside of the gardening center for my husband to pull the truck around...(yes...we are semi- yuppies with 8 acres and a pick up truck alongside our Volkswagen Jetta...) I notice a woman, by herself, loading large bags of mulch and sections of concrete garden borders into her pick up truck. I decide it is the neighborly thing to do to help her load up...and this will also be a good place for my husband to pull in to get our dirt goods loaded up.
So...while my motives are two-fold...
my 6 year old jumps in and decides he is going to help as well!
I would like to think we have pounded good manners into him for the past 6 years and so perhaps it is kicking in...good for me...when he goes WAY past good manners and proceeds to tell this nice lady that "my mama always taught me that if I see someone who needs help, I should help them". I almost cried right there in front of the Home Depot!
She smiled at him sweetly and thanked us both!
I could not have been prouder!

Summer Vacation

Wow!
My son just finished his first year of formal school....the amazing kindergarten!
When I was in kindergarten...(don't ask ), it was a place to go to give my mom a 1/2 day break from her precocious angel, and for us to learn all the wonderful ways to use paste...artwork, snack, hair gel...you know!
Now...by the time my son "graduated" kindergarten...he was supposed to be able to read...on some level...and he did!
I was amazed and astounded throughout the year as we practiced "reading" that he really WAS reading!
It has been a wonderful thing to see another world open up to him...the world of words and stories! For him to get a hint at the idea that he can go ANYWHERE by reading!
And now in summer vacation....
It is my job to make sure he continues on this wonderful adventure he has begun in kindergarten (and before that...really)...so he can continue his progress in learning and...
NOT be behind when he enters 1st Grade! (Ha!)