My kids taught me

I'm trying to be better about updating the blog. If I write often, surely I will find something interesting to say...right? Well maybe not.

So who has teenagers? Aren't they fun? Did you know the entire world revolves around just them? I was thinking the earth rotated around the sun, but it turns out, the 13 year old is the center of the universe. Having slightly less gravitational pulls, the 12 and 10 year old. In 2012 I will have children ages 16, 15 and 13, so really, the Mayans may have been right. If it's not the end of the world for the rest of you, it may be for me! Wait, that sounds like the the earth rotates around me....surely not the case.

Did you know if you don't make the mess you don't have to clean it up?? My kids taught me this. This is a gigantic relief. No more picking up dog toys, art supplies, dishes I didn't dirty, underwear I didn't make skid marks in, laundry I didn't get dirty, dust I didn't put on tables. This is truly liberating, because I was under the silly impression that when you were part of a family you were supposed to pitch in. My children have set me straight. Bless their hearts. This changes everything.

If I learned everything I know from I learned from my kids, I would know the following:

Spread your food around the plate if you want to make it look like you ate more.
If they say take 4 bites, make them tiny.
Even if you can't see the floor, the room is still clean.
Cats do love to be smothered no matter how much they screech.
If you say you did a chore and didn't do it, it's as good as done.
I forgot is a totally valid excuse.
I don't know is a great answer.
Oh you have to empty the vacuum????
Cleaning the entire kitchen just means putting a couple dishes in the dishwasher.
If you can't see it, it's put away.
Drawers aren't supposed to be shut.
Socks in the backyard apparently grow trees.
If something is on the floor, DO NOT pick it up.
If you did not make the mess, you are in no way responsible for the mess.
If the trash is full, you should take the time to smash it down, but never take it out.
The bathroom trash should overflow.
Fingerprints smingerprints.
Open windows while the heater is on is great because you get fresh air and heat.

Oh I could go on, and I think I will another time.

Relay is Over and Other Stuff

Wow, another year, and another successful Relay. The team won first place in fund raising, but it was successful for many other reasons. One of those reasons is new team members. We added several new survivors and honoring them is really what it's all about. Of course there is the research funding and everything else, but seeing all of those people that have fought their battles is so inspiring. Another reason it was great is that a few people have expressed an interest in joining the team for next year.

Another reason is Rosa's family. If you read my blog, you know we lost Rosa recently to a battle she fought with unbelievable grace and dignity. Rosa's sister and brother in law came from out of town. Her Mom was there as well as her wonerful husband and boys Noah and Kaleb. They could have just come for the experience, but these amazing people dug in, helped out, walked a heck of a lot and were just as gracious as they could be. We had a beautiful picture of Rosa and our team wore flowers for Rosa. Just amazing people. I hope they come next year.

So what else, well, changes...the one constant as they say. My jobs have changed, some are gone, others slowed down so I find myself having to get creative yet again. I'm learning about local search and Google Analytics, which I am finding I love. I know, I am a nerd, it's OK. I am also heavily into learning more about social media, another topic I find fascinating. Hopefully with some creativity I can put all of these skills together with the other good stuff I can do and find more things to do that I love. I'm also launching the notary business officially. So far I have registered a domain name, have a logo in progress and have listed the business in a ton of local search - so that skill may just be paying off now! I have a super lame website in development....wish I were a little more nerdy in that arena!

That's about it for now.

It's been a while

So I'm struggling to blog. How could such a chatty person have so little to say? Turns out, maybe I don't have that much to say. Sure I talk to the people I know all the time. I never seem to be at a loss for words. However, when it comes to communicating in this blog, I just may not be so good at it. I've decided to keep it up. I see so many interesting blogs. I feel interesting, but maybe I'm not! Maybe the core issue is I am relatively private, and the blog puts it all out there. Gotta think on that.

So, I'll just do a general update. Relay for Life is this weekend. The team has worked so hard. The next few days are key. The team briefly surged ahead of the firefighters in fundraising. We've been number one the last few years, we might not be this year. I have mixed feelings. Someone else should win in order to make it interesting, but I really really want to win. We have many new team members. I love that. Relay is all about reaching out. I love my friends that are passionate about this. I love all that contribute in any way. We've all been touched by cancer. It feels good to fight back. In so many cases, there isn't much else you can do.

So I can graduate in June of 2011 if I keep up my school schedule. I hope I can do it. If I can do it, I get to walk for graduation with a great great friend. And I can graduate BEFORE I turn 41.

That's all for now. I gotta get through Relay. I love Relay. Fight Back against cancer.

S

Rosa

Dear Rosa,
You have been an inspiration to me and so many others with the courage, faith and attitude with which you fought your long battle. My heart was heavy when we heard the news. I thought of your boys, your husband and all of us lucky enough to have met you. I've since met many others who knew you and everyone shares the same amazement at your strength and grace. You will be missed, but never forgotten. We continue the fight in your honor and in the honor of others like you. Thank you for touching my life Rosa. Support the American Cancer Society in whatever way you can.
Suzanne