Be the match!

Take the First Step to Become a Bone Marrow Donor (full length)

Inspired by Hudson and Abella (from the video I posted the other day) I just registered to be a bone marrow donor. The registration process is quick and painless and even though the donation process is not, it pales in comparison with whatever the recipient will have gone through.

They may call in a week, a month or even ten years but when they do I will be happy to help anyone fight the enemy that is cancer.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Hudson and Abella, Siblings fighting Cancer

Please pass on this video. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we need to do all we can to kick cancer in the ass and be rid of it forever. So often we complain about the banalities of life when kids like Hudson and Arabella are fighting like hell for that very thing. We are all so fortunate and should not take any of it for granted. I often get lost in the minutia of life and watching these brave kids quickly reminds me of all that I have. I often donate blood and platelets (when I am able) at Children's Hospital where I always see the happy and brave little faces of some of the sickest kids in the world. We need to do all we can for these little heros, they should spend their days playing instead of fighting a disease they should not have.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 01, 2011
Proclamation for Release - National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 2011

Across America, thousands of courageous children fight pediatric cancer each year, facing life‑threatening battles that would challenge men and women of any age. They are cared for by loving families, friends, and communities who band together to support children in times of great need. From raising money for research and hospital stays to offering compassionate assistance to families who have lost loved ones, Americans are working every day to combat childhood cancer.

Today, research advances have made pediatric cancer more treatable than ever before. The five‑year survival rate for young patients has risen to 80 percent in the past half century, but serious challenges remain. Children who survive cancer frequently struggle with significant complications later in life and researchers are working to develop treatments specifically for pediatric cancer. We still know too little about the causes in young people, and cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in America under the age of 15.

As we work to better understand and combat these destructive diseases, my Administration is working to lift some of the burden on families affected by them. Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny insurance to children because of pre‑existing conditions, meaning that children who are currently suffering from or have survived cancer must be covered. Insurance companies are also banned from rejecting insurance for children participating in clinical studies, in which the vast majority of children with cancer take part. And the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from imposing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits ‑‑ freeing cancer patients and their families from worry of long‑term treatment affordability. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute continues to conduct and fund research on the causes of these diseases, linking research on genetics and adult cancers to more effective treatments for children.

Too many children and their families have faced the harmful effects of cancer. In memory of the young lives taken from us far too soon, and in honor of the families who stood beside them, we continue to support researchers, doctors, and advocates working to improve treatments, find cures, and reach a tomorrow where all our children can lead full and healthy lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I also encourage all Americans to join me in reaffirming our commitment to fighting childhood cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Cruel (end of) Summer

This day never gets easier. I absolutely hate the first day of school. It starts around the beginning of August, I count down the days and start getting depressed. Then I start to worry about how her new teacher will deal with her "work." Yesterday we had a playdate with her bestie from school. It was so great to hang with this family, we both missed them this summer. Once the girls saw each other they forgot that it had been months. In the afternoon we walked down to the school to check out the class assignments. To avoid a long detailed story of all the drama that followed here's a recap:

They were not in the same class (after being together for three years)
She didn't get the teacher she wanted (although to be fair, he was new and I think the only reason she wanted him was well, because he is a him and he has a very funny name)
The bully she cannot stand is in her class again

She lost it and broke down begging me to homeschool. I did what any parent would do and took her out for ice cream. Then I gave her a not very PC pep talk and let her know I have her back. No matter what.

When we came home and really looked at the class list she saw there was actually many friends in her class. She went to sleep relieved and woke up excited. She was dressed before I even had my coffee and requested a pretty hairstyle. When we got to the yard she saw all her old friends (who were all in the other class) and seemed kind of sad, then she started to see her new class assemble and the smile returned. When she saw the girls in her new class she was all smiles again (and I have the picture to prove it!)

The rest was a blur. A mass of kids and parents marching into the new year. When it was all over I walked out of her classroom and exhaled. Her teacher is really sweet, her class is actually very different than it had been the previous years. It seems a lot more mellow. I don't want to come across as elitist but this years class seems to be made up of the kids that are better academically. Except for the bully but I will blame that on Bush. She is a perfect example of why we need to trash the "No child left behind" BS. Sorry, but some kids need to be left.

So as usual, I sit here. Missing the noise that drives me nuts in the summer. Missing my girl that does the same. I will think about all the things I can do during the year when really the year is just a countdown until next summer.

I have so much support from D and my wonderful friends that this year I am actually OK. The emails, calls and texts really help. I will take up all offers for lunch and various activities this year, just like we did this summer. I will continue to miss K like crazy but I will not obsess. I get lots of time with her. I will be early today (OK, every day)to pick her up though. I can't help that.

I'll also get to spend the day with her tomorrow. She's working. I guess I need to have that conversation a little sooner this year.

I hope you all have a fabulous school year!!

Blast the past

The Smashing Pumpkins - Ava Adore

Speaking of songs, I heard a Pumpkins song today and it reminded me of how much I loved this album when it came out. I played this song over and over. When they came around for the Adore Tour I went with Started Husband. It was a strange concert, they basically just played the whole album. It was a strange night, I'm pretty sure I was drunk but I remember getting lost in the music. In fact after the concert I ran into friends (which I do not remember) and the next day they said I was almost in a trance.

Anyhow, it was a cool night and I wanted to hear this so I thought I'd share.

Enjoy!

Wilco will love you baby

So I planned on writing a whole thing about how it sucks when songs you used to love remind you of people you now hate. I was in the car with K earlier and she requested Wilco, a band I've loved for years. I put on an old album and she asked for the newest one so she could sing along. OK, I love every song on this album and play it often even though it reminds me of friends I no longer wish to remember. I love to share my music and shared this band often.

While K and I sang the words to all the songs I realized that if music evokes a happy memory keep it. Even though I had a truly unhappy childhood there were some moments of joy. Every now and then I'll hear a song from that time and smile. I choose the tone of my mood. I can play Wilco and think of a fun summer rather than a friendship gone bad.

Besides I just made a new memory, listening to this song will now remind me of driving along PCH on a beautiful summer afternoon.

Enjoy the song, it's a good one.

On a side note:

If you happen to be one of those friends please stop reading this. Delete the link and move on.

Stalking and lurking is unhealthy.

If you can't stand the heat...

..then do not go to Palm Springs in August! Just got back from an amazing getaway with my loves. People said we were crazy to head to the dessert on the hottest weekend of the year but that's how we roll. No, really. No matter where we go it's always either the hottest or the coldest weather that place (wherever it is) has seen in years.

This summer was a busy one for us and we somehow never had time for a proper vacation. Strangely, none of us really missed it, we were too busy running from place to place, set to set or friend to friend. What we did miss was some family bonding. We were going to go down to San Diego and take K to Sea World (her choice) but when she found out that she had to be 10 to swim with dolphins she opted for Palm Springs. We found a hotel with waterslides and lazy river and booked it.

I'm not going to lie, 115 degrees is hot but without humidity it's not that bad. We managed to get used to the heat and spent the days floating along the lazy river. It was nice to be together with no commitments and very little iPhone use. K was in heaven and immediately made some "best friends." In fact yesterday she had lunch with a cool family and they live close to us. The kids all vowed to see each other again and since I've been awesome at following up on social interactions this actually might happen.

I keep forgetting how fortunate we are to live in a place where it's possible to drive a few hours and feel like you are completely away from home. D and I also made a vow, we are going to take weekends away more often. It's a wonderful feeling to come home feeling refreshed and recharged, I'd like to have it often. Of course sometimes I feel like my life is a vacation so I shouldn't be complaining.

I'm off with K to enjoy the last week of summer vacation in this breezy 70 degree weather. It a;most feels cold!!

What a catch!

A friend of mine posted this on my Facebook wall today. We both got a laugh out of it since we know someone with a similar personality.

It's so sad how insecure and childish we (as a society) have become. When is anything like this OK? Even if the guy was a perfect match seeing his true colors takes him from hero to zero faster than you can say sociopath.

Enjoy this and make sure you screen all your calls, you never what kind of magic might show up on your voicemail.