Wishing I was boarding a plane on Friday morning, headed to Orlando for #EpicOctober2011.I need a vacation.
9.28.2011
Wordless Wednesday - I need a vacation
Wishing I was boarding a plane on Friday morning, headed to Orlando for #EpicOctober2011.I need a vacation.
9.26.2011
Allergies are in the house....
Today was Olivia's consult and allergy skin test with the new doctor. The skin test was a very long 15 minutes during which Olivia cried and I held her hands (not only to comfort her, but also to keep her from scratching her arms).
I watched as little bumps formed over certain spots on her arms - being the "nosy" mom that I am, I made sure to look at what allergens they were testing before the scratch test started. I noticed that ragweed, cats, dogs and PEANUTS were the fastest growing "spots."
This was not a good thing.
Once the doctor came in and looked at her arms, he explained what she's allergic to. The scale they used was 0 (negative) up to 5 (VERY STRONG positive).
This is the list:
- Cat dander: 4/5
- Dog epidermal: 3/5
- Alfalfa: 3/5
- Tree mix (5 trees): 4/5
- Tree mix (6 trees): 4/5
- Weeds: 2/5
- South grass mix: 4/5
- Ragweed: 4/5
And now the foods:
- Corn (food): 2/5
- Sesame Seed: 3/5
- Soybean: 3/5
- Peanut: 4/5
OK...so the trees, weeds, grass and ragweed I expected. I wasn't surprised by the dog and cat allergy either (even though she's lived with both animals her entire life and hasn't had any issues). The doctor said DO NOT get rid of your animals because the shots that Olivia will be getting over the next few years will build up her "immunity" to all of these things.
But the food allergies.....
Those I cannot wrap my brain around.
The doctor said not to worry about the corn allergy (OK, I won't) or the soybean allergy (really, the kid isn't going to start eating Edamame anytime soon). However, Olivia is supposed to avoid seasame seeds (the doctor actually said "no sesame chicken" ...lol) and peanuts.
I asked him how it was possible for her to have a peanut allergy and NEVER have any reaction of any kind and he didn't really have a clear answer. He simply said that it was possible and we can't know when it might affect her.
So, nothing with peanuts for Olivia. No peanut butter. No nuts of any kind (not even tree nuts like pecans and walnuts). And, we are to have an Epipen with us at all times from now on. And, we have to let the school know that Olivia is to have an Epipen available just in case.
And next week, she starts allergy shots. Twice a week for 10 weeks. Then once a week for several more months. Eventually she'll make it down to once a month. And the shots will continue for several years.
Stupid allergies.
I watched as little bumps formed over certain spots on her arms - being the "nosy" mom that I am, I made sure to look at what allergens they were testing before the scratch test started. I noticed that ragweed, cats, dogs and PEANUTS were the fastest growing "spots."
This was not a good thing.
Once the doctor came in and looked at her arms, he explained what she's allergic to. The scale they used was 0 (negative) up to 5 (VERY STRONG positive).
This is the list:
- Cat dander: 4/5
- Dog epidermal: 3/5
- Alfalfa: 3/5
- Tree mix (5 trees): 4/5
- Tree mix (6 trees): 4/5
- Weeds: 2/5
- South grass mix: 4/5
- Ragweed: 4/5
And now the foods:
- Corn (food): 2/5
- Sesame Seed: 3/5
- Soybean: 3/5
- Peanut: 4/5
OK...so the trees, weeds, grass and ragweed I expected. I wasn't surprised by the dog and cat allergy either (even though she's lived with both animals her entire life and hasn't had any issues). The doctor said DO NOT get rid of your animals because the shots that Olivia will be getting over the next few years will build up her "immunity" to all of these things.
But the food allergies.....
Those I cannot wrap my brain around.
The doctor said not to worry about the corn allergy (OK, I won't) or the soybean allergy (really, the kid isn't going to start eating Edamame anytime soon). However, Olivia is supposed to avoid seasame seeds (the doctor actually said "no sesame chicken" ...lol) and peanuts.
I asked him how it was possible for her to have a peanut allergy and NEVER have any reaction of any kind and he didn't really have a clear answer. He simply said that it was possible and we can't know when it might affect her.
So, nothing with peanuts for Olivia. No peanut butter. No nuts of any kind (not even tree nuts like pecans and walnuts). And, we are to have an Epipen with us at all times from now on. And, we have to let the school know that Olivia is to have an Epipen available just in case.
And next week, she starts allergy shots. Twice a week for 10 weeks. Then once a week for several more months. Eventually she'll make it down to once a month. And the shots will continue for several years.
Stupid allergies.
Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging
Yep, I haven't blogged much since last week. And really, last week's posts weren't anything spectacular if we want to be totally honest about my blogging.
You want to hear "excuses"...OK, here goes. I've been sick for two weeks. I have some inner ear thing going on (Labrynthitis), which I really thought would be gone by now. It isn't. I have been dizzy for TWO WEEKS. Trust me when I say this is very unpleasant. It's a lot like the feeling you get after a few glasses of wine...but without the fun drinking wine part.
The rest of my "ailments" are finally going away. The congestion, cough, runny nose...all on their merry way out of here. However, the dizziness makes me tired. So there's that.
And last week was really not a great week. I had to deal with stupid, evil people (again) and then on Tuesday we found out that based on an allergy test (via blood samples) Olivia is essentially allergic to EVERYTHING ON THE PLANET.
I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when I was done talking to the pediatrician. There's a lot of things I was hoping my kids would get from my genes - sassy attitude, good grammar, excellent spelling skills, a sense of humor. You know, the good things. Allergies were not on that list.
I've had horrible allergies since I was 4 years old. I still remember the day I walked out into the apartment complex where we lived and they were mowing the grass and suddenly I couldn't breathe. (OK, maybe that's MY memory of it...not sure what my parents remember). I endured a "scratch test" and they discovered I was allergic to everything. Dogs, cats, trees, dust, pollen. If it was alive, I was allergic. I had allergy shots and spent my childhood taking every brand of allergy meds available.
And, after 14 years of allergy shots the doctors said "you're cured!"
They lied.
My allergies never went away.
If my allergist wasn't dead I'd sue him for malpractice. :)
All that has happened in the last 34 years is I've "grown out" of some of my allergies - specifically cats, dogs and feather pillows. No cure in sight for the rest.
And now Olivia has allergies. And yes, I understand that allergies aren't THAT bad (in the grand scheme of "BAD" things), and there is medicine she can take. But still, don't tell me "it's not the end of the world" because well, that's just really not your call to make. When a doctor tells me that my 7 year old is allergic to milk, peanuts, pecans, wheat, walnuts, potatoes, strawberries, oak trees, maple trees, pecan trees, grasses, ragweed, cats AND dogs (just to name a few)...well, I think I have every right to FREAK OUT just a little bit.
Today we're taking Liv to an allergist for "consultation" and "testing." I can only imagine this means a scratch test. We haven't told her about that possibility. Right now she's finding it amusing to ask "am I allergic to THAT?" ... and well, I guess if we can keep a sense of humor about this, that's not all bad.
You want to hear "excuses"...OK, here goes. I've been sick for two weeks. I have some inner ear thing going on (Labrynthitis), which I really thought would be gone by now. It isn't. I have been dizzy for TWO WEEKS. Trust me when I say this is very unpleasant. It's a lot like the feeling you get after a few glasses of wine...but without the fun drinking wine part.
The rest of my "ailments" are finally going away. The congestion, cough, runny nose...all on their merry way out of here. However, the dizziness makes me tired. So there's that.
And last week was really not a great week. I had to deal with stupid, evil people (again) and then on Tuesday we found out that based on an allergy test (via blood samples) Olivia is essentially allergic to EVERYTHING ON THE PLANET.
I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when I was done talking to the pediatrician. There's a lot of things I was hoping my kids would get from my genes - sassy attitude, good grammar, excellent spelling skills, a sense of humor. You know, the good things. Allergies were not on that list.
I've had horrible allergies since I was 4 years old. I still remember the day I walked out into the apartment complex where we lived and they were mowing the grass and suddenly I couldn't breathe. (OK, maybe that's MY memory of it...not sure what my parents remember). I endured a "scratch test" and they discovered I was allergic to everything. Dogs, cats, trees, dust, pollen. If it was alive, I was allergic. I had allergy shots and spent my childhood taking every brand of allergy meds available.
And, after 14 years of allergy shots the doctors said "you're cured!"
They lied.
My allergies never went away.
If my allergist wasn't dead I'd sue him for malpractice. :)
All that has happened in the last 34 years is I've "grown out" of some of my allergies - specifically cats, dogs and feather pillows. No cure in sight for the rest.
And now Olivia has allergies. And yes, I understand that allergies aren't THAT bad (in the grand scheme of "BAD" things), and there is medicine she can take. But still, don't tell me "it's not the end of the world" because well, that's just really not your call to make. When a doctor tells me that my 7 year old is allergic to milk, peanuts, pecans, wheat, walnuts, potatoes, strawberries, oak trees, maple trees, pecan trees, grasses, ragweed, cats AND dogs (just to name a few)...well, I think I have every right to FREAK OUT just a little bit.
Today we're taking Liv to an allergist for "consultation" and "testing." I can only imagine this means a scratch test. We haven't told her about that possibility. Right now she's finding it amusing to ask "am I allergic to THAT?" ... and well, I guess if we can keep a sense of humor about this, that's not all bad.
9.21.2011
Wordless Wednesday - Let your conscience be your guide
You can learn a lot from a cricket and a boy with no strings.9.19.2011
Fall fashion at The Limited (and a giveaway!)
I am not exactly a fashionista.
Yes, I love reading Vogue and InStyle and watching The Rachel Zoe Project. I dream of owning many pairs of Jimmy Choos and would love to own these Christian Louboutin beauties. But in reality, I'm a mom on a limited budget and my clothes tend to be somewhat boring. Sure, I accessorize with jewelry, but when I'm working (at an office) you'll likely find me in black pants, a top and black heels. Not so adventurous, right?
Despite all that - I do love to shop. I just don't shop often. I haven't bought a new pair of shoes in MONTHS. And, before Friday, I had not bought a new "fall wardrobe piece" since, well, last fall.
Last Friday I was invited to attend the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at The Limited (located at Westfield/Franklin Park in Toledo). It's been many years since The Limited was part of our local mall, so I was very excited to see it return.
This new store did not disappoint! The store is beautiful and homey and bright and it even has an eBar - an area where you can shop online or your husband can "surf the 'net" while you shop the store. That is brilliant. According to a press release from The Limited, the Toledo store features the "newest store design concept demonstrating a direction toward a more modern, feminine style."
After the ribbon cutting ceremony I had a chance to actually shop and while there were MANY things I wanted to buy, I chose two tops and a pair of faux pearl earrings.
I plan to go back and shop some more in the next few weeks - I need to add some color to my fall and winter wardrobe (which is, admittedly, quite full of black and gray)...and I think I'd like to buy one of each of these sweaters! (I especially love the pink, blue and eggplant colors).
And I'm guessing many of you want to update your fall wardrobe, since cooler temps are right around the corner.
Well, today is YOUR lucky day! I have on $50 gift card for The Limited to give away to one of you!
To enter this giveaway, there's just one simple step:
1. Leave a comment telling me what is your must have fall wardrobe item. You must include your email address in your comment. Comments without email addresses will NOT be entered into the drawing.
This giveaway ends Thursday, September 22 at midnight. One winner will be randomly chosen from all entries. I will contact the winner via email.
UPDATE Sept. 23: The winner was randomly selected using Random.org. Congrats to Kylee from Two Pretzels! You'll be contacted via email.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Falhgren Mortine to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at The Limited and received a gift card for my own use. All opinions in this post are my own.
Yes, I love reading Vogue and InStyle and watching The Rachel Zoe Project. I dream of owning many pairs of Jimmy Choos and would love to own these Christian Louboutin beauties. But in reality, I'm a mom on a limited budget and my clothes tend to be somewhat boring. Sure, I accessorize with jewelry, but when I'm working (at an office) you'll likely find me in black pants, a top and black heels. Not so adventurous, right?
Despite all that - I do love to shop. I just don't shop often. I haven't bought a new pair of shoes in MONTHS. And, before Friday, I had not bought a new "fall wardrobe piece" since, well, last fall.
Last Friday I was invited to attend the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at The Limited (located at Westfield/Franklin Park in Toledo). It's been many years since The Limited was part of our local mall, so I was very excited to see it return.
This new store did not disappoint! The store is beautiful and homey and bright and it even has an eBar - an area where you can shop online or your husband can "surf the 'net" while you shop the store. That is brilliant. According to a press release from The Limited, the Toledo store features the "newest store design concept demonstrating a direction toward a more modern, feminine style."
After the ribbon cutting ceremony I had a chance to actually shop and while there were MANY things I wanted to buy, I chose two tops and a pair of faux pearl earrings.
I plan to go back and shop some more in the next few weeks - I need to add some color to my fall and winter wardrobe (which is, admittedly, quite full of black and gray)...and I think I'd like to buy one of each of these sweaters! (I especially love the pink, blue and eggplant colors).
And I'm guessing many of you want to update your fall wardrobe, since cooler temps are right around the corner.
Well, today is YOUR lucky day! I have on $50 gift card for The Limited to give away to one of you!
To enter this giveaway, there's just one simple step:
1. Leave a comment telling me what is your must have fall wardrobe item. You must include your email address in your comment. Comments without email addresses will NOT be entered into the drawing.
This giveaway ends Thursday, September 22 at midnight. One winner will be randomly chosen from all entries. I will contact the winner via email.
UPDATE Sept. 23: The winner was randomly selected using Random.org. Congrats to Kylee from Two Pretzels! You'll be contacted via email.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Falhgren Mortine to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at The Limited and received a gift card for my own use. All opinions in this post are my own.
9.17.2011
Go team! Alternate title: I am now officially a cheer mom
"We are S! V!" 
Go Cougars! 
Watching from the sidelines...
Stunts! 
I love this photoToday was Olivia's first football game as a cheerleader. Aside from looking totally adorable in her uniform, she was also a pro! We're so proud of her.
Words I never thought I would say - I love that my daughter is a cheerleader.
9.15.2011
It's a chili day
Yes, I said it's a chili day.
Although, it is also a chilly September day.
What is going on with the weather?
Last week it was HOT again.
And tonight, it's going to be 39 degrees.
I refuse to turn on the furnace in September.
That's what extra blankets are for.
(Yep, mother of the year, that's me.)
So, anyway....
It's chilly outside.
And I'm sick.
(Yes, still. Moving on.)
Plus, I don't feel like cooking dinner tonight. I'd rather curl up on the couch with my laptop and the latest issue of US Weekly.
Therefore, it's a Crock Pot dinner night.
Main course - my "almost world famous" chili.
And because I love my readers, here is the not-so-top-secret recipe:
(The amounts of beef, kidney beans and tomato sauce are based on personal preference ... I only use 1 can kidney beans because I don't like them and 3 cans tomato sauce to cut the heat).
Chili
1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned and drained
1 or 2 cans dark red kidney beans (do NOT drain)
2 or 3 cans tomato sauce
1 jar Tony Packo's Super Charged Chili Recipe**
Brown ground beef. Drain. Add to Crock Pot. Combine with kidney beans, tomato sauce and Tony Packo's Super Charged Chili Recipe. Cook on low for several hours. (You can cook on low all day or for as little as 4 hours).
**You can find the Super Charged Chili from Tony Packo's at Tony Packo's restaurants in Toledo, at Kroger stores (locally in northwest Ohio) or online here http://tonypacko.com/pickles.php.
So there you have it.
A chili recipe for those chilly days.
Enjoy!
NOTE: My mom emailed me tonight and said I didn't give her props for this recipe. (OK, she actually didn't use the word "props" ... but whatever). So here it is - this recipe is originally my mom's. I borrowed it. So now it's mine. :)
Although, it is also a chilly September day.
What is going on with the weather?
Last week it was HOT again.
And tonight, it's going to be 39 degrees.
I refuse to turn on the furnace in September.
That's what extra blankets are for.
(Yep, mother of the year, that's me.)
So, anyway....
It's chilly outside.
And I'm sick.
(Yes, still. Moving on.)
Plus, I don't feel like cooking dinner tonight. I'd rather curl up on the couch with my laptop and the latest issue of US Weekly.
Therefore, it's a Crock Pot dinner night.
Main course - my "almost world famous" chili.
And because I love my readers, here is the not-so-top-secret recipe:
(The amounts of beef, kidney beans and tomato sauce are based on personal preference ... I only use 1 can kidney beans because I don't like them and 3 cans tomato sauce to cut the heat).
Chili
1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned and drained
1 or 2 cans dark red kidney beans (do NOT drain)
2 or 3 cans tomato sauce
1 jar Tony Packo's Super Charged Chili Recipe**
Brown ground beef. Drain. Add to Crock Pot. Combine with kidney beans, tomato sauce and Tony Packo's Super Charged Chili Recipe. Cook on low for several hours. (You can cook on low all day or for as little as 4 hours).
**You can find the Super Charged Chili from Tony Packo's at Tony Packo's restaurants in Toledo, at Kroger stores (locally in northwest Ohio) or online here http://tonypacko.com/pickles.php.
So there you have it.
A chili recipe for those chilly days.
Enjoy!
NOTE: My mom emailed me tonight and said I didn't give her props for this recipe. (OK, she actually didn't use the word "props" ... but whatever). So here it is - this recipe is originally my mom's. I borrowed it. So now it's mine. :)
9.14.2011
9.13.2011
You spin me right round, baby right round....
It all started yesterday.
I felt "off" for most of the day.
Sore throat. Runny nose.
A little dizzy too.
I chalked up the sore throat and runny nose to allergies - I've suffered with allergies since I was 4 years old, so for the most part I tend to ignore them.
The dizzy feeling? Well, I thought perhaps it was just nerves - I spent most of yesterday thinking about my applications for the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, so maybe it was just a little extra pixie dust making me all woozy.
And then I woke up at 3 a.m. with an incredible sore throat.
And by incredible, I mean so painful I wanted to cry.
When I got out of bed and stood up, the room spun.
"That's odd," I thought. Next time I wouldn't stand up so fast.
This morning when I woke up, the spinning was worse.
As I stood up to get out of bed my room spun and spun and then spun some more for good measure. It was as if I was trapped on the Mad Tea Party and couldn't make it stop.
Holy crap.
I thought I was going to pass out.
This spinning continued all morning.
I called the doctor and the receptionist said "I'll take a message and if the doctor thinks you're sick, she will call in a prescription." WHAT? Since when do doctors diagnose via phone messages?? I was not happy.
Lucky for me (and the doctor) she decided that she needed to SEE ME in person before making a diagnosis. And after seeing me (and witnessing a dizzy spell in her office), the doc determined that I have Labyrinthitis. Basically the labyrinth in my inner ear is inflamed and therefore I'm dizzy. And can't focus my eyes. And it feels like the room is on spin cycle.
It is most unpleasant.
The rest of my symptoms? The doctor blamed them all on allergies - which is possible, but I've never felt this crappy from allergies before. And I have a fever (99.9 which doesn't seem that high, except my normal temp is 97.2).
So...for the rest of tonight I'll be immobile on the couch.
The less I move, the less dizzy I feel.
The husband and kids are on their own tonight.
I felt "off" for most of the day.
Sore throat. Runny nose.
A little dizzy too.
I chalked up the sore throat and runny nose to allergies - I've suffered with allergies since I was 4 years old, so for the most part I tend to ignore them.
The dizzy feeling? Well, I thought perhaps it was just nerves - I spent most of yesterday thinking about my applications for the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, so maybe it was just a little extra pixie dust making me all woozy.
And then I woke up at 3 a.m. with an incredible sore throat.
And by incredible, I mean so painful I wanted to cry.
When I got out of bed and stood up, the room spun.
"That's odd," I thought. Next time I wouldn't stand up so fast.
This morning when I woke up, the spinning was worse.
As I stood up to get out of bed my room spun and spun and then spun some more for good measure. It was as if I was trapped on the Mad Tea Party and couldn't make it stop.
Holy crap.
I thought I was going to pass out.
This spinning continued all morning.
I called the doctor and the receptionist said "I'll take a message and if the doctor thinks you're sick, she will call in a prescription." WHAT? Since when do doctors diagnose via phone messages?? I was not happy.
Lucky for me (and the doctor) she decided that she needed to SEE ME in person before making a diagnosis. And after seeing me (and witnessing a dizzy spell in her office), the doc determined that I have Labyrinthitis. Basically the labyrinth in my inner ear is inflamed and therefore I'm dizzy. And can't focus my eyes. And it feels like the room is on spin cycle.
It is most unpleasant.
The rest of my symptoms? The doctor blamed them all on allergies - which is possible, but I've never felt this crappy from allergies before. And I have a fever (99.9 which doesn't seem that high, except my normal temp is 97.2).
So...for the rest of tonight I'll be immobile on the couch.
The less I move, the less dizzy I feel.
The husband and kids are on their own tonight.
9.12.2011
Faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust
If I had a fairy godmother I'd be texting, tweeting and sending her Facebook messages all day today - asking for as much pixie dust as she could spare.Today is THE day.
Applications for the 2012 Walt Disney World Moms Panel open at 9 a.m.
And yes, I am applying again.
Just as I have applied every year since 2007.
This is my dream.
I love Disney.
I love the magic, the happiness it brings to so many people.
I love the feeling of "being home" that I get every single time I step on Main Street and see Cinderella's Castle.
I love planning Disney vacations for my family. And my friends. And friends of friends. And even total strangers.
And so, once again I'm tossing my Mickey ears into the ring, crossing my fingers and remembering - a dream is a wish your heart makes.
Best of luck to all 2012 Moms Panel applicants!
9.11.2011
Remembering September 11
I don't remember what I did on September 10, 2001.
But I will never forget September 11.
On September 11, 2001 I was sitting at my desk doing mundane every day tasks when our secretary walked in my office and said "a small plane just hit the World Trade Center."
I admit, for a split second I had to think "World Trade Center? Oh yeah, in New York City." After a few more minutes of talking about why someone would do that, she walked out of my office and I kept working. Then my mom called and said something bad was happening in New York City and we should turn on the TV at the office.
I gathered our small staff and told them we needed to turn on a television to see what was happening. Within minutes of tuning in to ABC News, the second plane hit.
Oh my God.
Did you just see that?
Did that plane just hit the other tower?
There were five of us sitting in a conference room and no one could believe what we were watching.
What the hell was going on?
The office phone rang again.
It was my mom.
Did you see that?
Did you see that plane hit the tower?
Yes. I saw it.
I could not process what was happening.
No one knew what to do.
And so, we tried to continue our workday.
We all went back upstairs to our offices and tried to work.
The phones were eerily silent that day.
I called Kevin and my sister and my mom.
I tried to find news online.
The Internet was not working that day.
All the news sites were too busy.
We kept a small black and white television on all day long.
We watched in horror as the towers fell.
We stood in shocked silence as news came in about The Pentagon and Shanksville.
How could this be happening to America?
What did we do to deserve this amount of tragedy?
No one did much work that day.
We spent most of the day huddled around that black and white TV, watching the never-ending tragedy unfold in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania.
That night after work, I went to Kevin's house. We had only been dating for two months at the time. We spent most of the evening sitting on the couch watching the news in silence. It was unimaginable. America had been attacked by terrorists. Nothing made sense.
I still remember how eerily silent it was that night as I walked to my car.
There were no sounds in the sky.
All commercial flights had been grounded.
The silence was deafening.
And now, 10 years later, a memorial stands in the footprints of the towers.
And a new World Trade Center is rising.
But we will never be the way we were on September 10, 2001.
The world as we knew it was forever changed on September 11, 2001.
We will never forget.
But I will never forget September 11.
On September 11, 2001 I was sitting at my desk doing mundane every day tasks when our secretary walked in my office and said "a small plane just hit the World Trade Center."
I admit, for a split second I had to think "World Trade Center? Oh yeah, in New York City." After a few more minutes of talking about why someone would do that, she walked out of my office and I kept working. Then my mom called and said something bad was happening in New York City and we should turn on the TV at the office.
I gathered our small staff and told them we needed to turn on a television to see what was happening. Within minutes of tuning in to ABC News, the second plane hit.
Oh my God.
Did you just see that?
Did that plane just hit the other tower?
There were five of us sitting in a conference room and no one could believe what we were watching.
What the hell was going on?
The office phone rang again.
It was my mom.
Did you see that?
Did you see that plane hit the tower?
Yes. I saw it.
I could not process what was happening.
No one knew what to do.
And so, we tried to continue our workday.
We all went back upstairs to our offices and tried to work.
The phones were eerily silent that day.
I called Kevin and my sister and my mom.
I tried to find news online.
The Internet was not working that day.
All the news sites were too busy.
We kept a small black and white television on all day long.
We watched in horror as the towers fell.
We stood in shocked silence as news came in about The Pentagon and Shanksville.
How could this be happening to America?
What did we do to deserve this amount of tragedy?
No one did much work that day.
We spent most of the day huddled around that black and white TV, watching the never-ending tragedy unfold in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania.
That night after work, I went to Kevin's house. We had only been dating for two months at the time. We spent most of the evening sitting on the couch watching the news in silence. It was unimaginable. America had been attacked by terrorists. Nothing made sense.
I still remember how eerily silent it was that night as I walked to my car.
There were no sounds in the sky.
All commercial flights had been grounded.
The silence was deafening.
And now, 10 years later, a memorial stands in the footprints of the towers.
And a new World Trade Center is rising.
But we will never be the way we were on September 10, 2001.
The world as we knew it was forever changed on September 11, 2001.
We will never forget.
9.07.2011
9.06.2011
Happy Blogiversary to The Fishbowl
Six years ago today I started writing this blog.
This was my first post.
I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, teaching part-time at a local college. Olivia was almost 18 months old. Hurricane Katrina had just decimated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. And I felt the URGE, the NEED to write.
I had been blogging since August 2005 at my "first" blog (at the time called "Toddler Timeouts"). I had a plan that I'd blog over there about Olivia (and any future siblings) but decided I needed another blog where I could write about anything and everything.
And hence, 'the view from my fishbowl' was born.
Since that September day six years ago I've written 930 posts. That doesn't seem like much, does it? I have more posts sitting in "draft" but they may likely never see the light of day. Sometimes I just have to get my thoughts down "on screen" and if they turn into a post, great. If not, it wasn't meant to be.
I have gone through "dry spells" where the urge to write has gone away. And, I have blogged through practically every day of a month just to prove to myself that I could do it.
I blog about life here in The Fishbowl. I blog about my kids, my husband, Disney World vacations, politics (sometimes), jobs, horrible bosses, reality tv, social media and well...just about anything else. I also have giveaways at times. This really is a blog about everything....as seen from my little fishbowl here in northwest Ohio.
For my readers, I thank you for coming back even after I've been rather grumpy in a post. Or after I've been MIA for a bit due to whatever it is that takes me away from my blogging. I don't do this for Google analytics or page rank or any of those things. I blog because I love to write. The fact that people actually READ what I write, well that's just extra icing on this little bloggy cake.
So, happy birthday to my little Fishbowl.
And thanks for visiting.
See you real soon.
9.04.2011
Random thoughts on a Sunday afternoon
I often check out who has been visiting The Fishbowl, where they are located and how they found little ol' me.
The other day I discovered that someone from Germany found my blog by searching "fishbowl crap?" on Bing. That made me laugh out loud. Their search took them to this post from Disney Social Media Moms ("Facebook, following your passion and C.R.A.P).
I'm guessing it wasn't exactly what they were looking for.
(And really, why are you Binging "fishbowl crap?" in the first place???)
And then I saw that someone found my post by Googling "keith olbermann quotes starbucks" - and they found this post.
I wrote that post in 2008 after reading the following quote on my Starbucks cup:
"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes." - Keith Olberman, broadcast journalist and host of MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olberman"*
At the time, I thought it was a great quote.
Now, while it is still a great quote, I can also totally relate to it.
First, I managed to "escape" the organization that was so quick to tell me nearly every day that I wasn't good enough. The last seven weeks have been a time of healing and renewal for me. I feel stronger as a writer. I feel better as a human being. I feel like the "old me" - the me that existed before I became a victim of workplace bullying.
Second, I am in the midst of a job search. I'm looking...but I don't know what I'm looking for. I want to write and would love something with social media. However, I don't want to deal with interoffice drama/politics. I also refuse to work for Satan's minions again. I did that already and it pretty much sucked.
I had an interview a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything. However, rather than taking it personally and thinking "Oh my gawd, why don't they want ME?"...I'm thinking "oh well, their loss."
I also received a rejection letter this week that was based solely on the "potential" employer seeing my resume. According to the letter they are "going in a different direction with the job" ... which means they either (1) filled the position internally, (2) aren't filling the position or (3) decided I was too talented for the job.
I'm going with #3.
(And yes, I am joking. Sort of.)
Whatever the reason for the rejection letter, I'm not taking it personally.
I laughed at the letter and then promptly threw it in the garbage.
And damn, did that feel good.
*Obviously this was before he was fired from MSNBC.
The other day I discovered that someone from Germany found my blog by searching "fishbowl crap?" on Bing. That made me laugh out loud. Their search took them to this post from Disney Social Media Moms ("Facebook, following your passion and C.R.A.P).
I'm guessing it wasn't exactly what they were looking for.
(And really, why are you Binging "fishbowl crap?" in the first place???)
And then I saw that someone found my post by Googling "keith olbermann quotes starbucks" - and they found this post.
I wrote that post in 2008 after reading the following quote on my Starbucks cup:
"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes." - Keith Olberman, broadcast journalist and host of MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olberman"*
At the time, I thought it was a great quote.
Now, while it is still a great quote, I can also totally relate to it.
First, I managed to "escape" the organization that was so quick to tell me nearly every day that I wasn't good enough. The last seven weeks have been a time of healing and renewal for me. I feel stronger as a writer. I feel better as a human being. I feel like the "old me" - the me that existed before I became a victim of workplace bullying.
Second, I am in the midst of a job search. I'm looking...but I don't know what I'm looking for. I want to write and would love something with social media. However, I don't want to deal with interoffice drama/politics. I also refuse to work for Satan's minions again. I did that already and it pretty much sucked.
I had an interview a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything. However, rather than taking it personally and thinking "Oh my gawd, why don't they want ME?"...I'm thinking "oh well, their loss."
I also received a rejection letter this week that was based solely on the "potential" employer seeing my resume. According to the letter they are "going in a different direction with the job" ... which means they either (1) filled the position internally, (2) aren't filling the position or (3) decided I was too talented for the job.
I'm going with #3.
(And yes, I am joking. Sort of.)
Whatever the reason for the rejection letter, I'm not taking it personally.
I laughed at the letter and then promptly threw it in the garbage.
And damn, did that feel good.
*Obviously this was before he was fired from MSNBC.
9.02.2011
An open love letter to Twitter
I have a confession to make.
I love Twitter.
As in, I seriously L.O.V.E. it.
It all started back in February 2008 when I joined Twitter. At first, I wasn't sure if I really liked that little blue bird. I mean, it was cute and friendly and seemed to have a good purpose. But I just wasn't sure if it was meant for me. I had a long-standing, serious love affair with another social networking site (ah-hem, Facebook) and we were quite smitten.
But I gave this Twitter thing a chance.
I flirted with it for a while...testing those sometimes murky social media waters.
I tweeted, some people responded.
It was OK fun.
I would get a few new followers every week or so. I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing or if anyone was actually reading what I was tweeting. Most of the time it felt as if I was talking to myself.
But I kept on tweeting, thinking that maybe someday it would all click for me.
And it did in June 2009.
I had recently lost a job and found solace in Twitter. I would tweet out a few things every day and people would respond. I started following more people and those people followed me and it just kept growing and growing.
And by the end of that year I was having a full-blown love affair with this thing called Twitter. I tried to explain it to everyone I could - and most of the time they looked at me as if to say "you're crazy!" The most common response was "why do I want to tell people what I'm doing?"
Oh yes, they didn't get it. They didn't understand what a magical, wonderful conversation tool Twitter really is.
Because for me, that's what it is all about - conversation. Talking with people. Talking to people. Saying "good morning, hope you all have a wonderful day!" - I don't know how many people actually read that tweet, but at least it's out there. At least I made the effort to start that conversation.
I love when people say "good morning!" or "sweet dreams" or just ask "how is your day going?" - it's those little things that spark a conversation. I ask for advice on Twitter. I vent my frustrations sometimes. I "live tweet" reality shows just for fun. And, I get support from my friends - even at 2 a.m. one night last year when my husband had to take my youngest to the ER for stomach pains. I had a group of friends and strangers talking me down from the heights of a mother's anxiety and keeping me company with reassuring tweets until my husband called and said all was OK.
Twitter is so much more than just a place to talk about what you're doing or what you had for lunch. It's about the people and the place and the brands who are out there every day - making a connection.
I have made so many amazing connections thanks to Twitter. And, I have created life-long friendships with people I've met on Twitter. People I never would have met if not for this wonderful, crazy, incredible social media world. It might sound silly to some, but my life is bigger and better and more fun thanks to a few thousand tweets.
You can find me on Twitter @TraciLeigh.
I love Twitter.
As in, I seriously L.O.V.E. it.
It all started back in February 2008 when I joined Twitter. At first, I wasn't sure if I really liked that little blue bird. I mean, it was cute and friendly and seemed to have a good purpose. But I just wasn't sure if it was meant for me. I had a long-standing, serious love affair with another social networking site (ah-hem, Facebook) and we were quite smitten.
But I gave this Twitter thing a chance.
I flirted with it for a while...testing those sometimes murky social media waters.
I tweeted, some people responded.
It was OK fun.
I would get a few new followers every week or so. I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing or if anyone was actually reading what I was tweeting. Most of the time it felt as if I was talking to myself.
But I kept on tweeting, thinking that maybe someday it would all click for me.
And it did in June 2009.
I had recently lost a job and found solace in Twitter. I would tweet out a few things every day and people would respond. I started following more people and those people followed me and it just kept growing and growing.
And by the end of that year I was having a full-blown love affair with this thing called Twitter. I tried to explain it to everyone I could - and most of the time they looked at me as if to say "you're crazy!" The most common response was "why do I want to tell people what I'm doing?"
Oh yes, they didn't get it. They didn't understand what a magical, wonderful conversation tool Twitter really is.
Because for me, that's what it is all about - conversation. Talking with people. Talking to people. Saying "good morning, hope you all have a wonderful day!" - I don't know how many people actually read that tweet, but at least it's out there. At least I made the effort to start that conversation.
I love when people say "good morning!" or "sweet dreams" or just ask "how is your day going?" - it's those little things that spark a conversation. I ask for advice on Twitter. I vent my frustrations sometimes. I "live tweet" reality shows just for fun. And, I get support from my friends - even at 2 a.m. one night last year when my husband had to take my youngest to the ER for stomach pains. I had a group of friends and strangers talking me down from the heights of a mother's anxiety and keeping me company with reassuring tweets until my husband called and said all was OK.
Twitter is so much more than just a place to talk about what you're doing or what you had for lunch. It's about the people and the place and the brands who are out there every day - making a connection.
I have made so many amazing connections thanks to Twitter. And, I have created life-long friendships with people I've met on Twitter. People I never would have met if not for this wonderful, crazy, incredible social media world. It might sound silly to some, but my life is bigger and better and more fun thanks to a few thousand tweets.
You can find me on Twitter @TraciLeigh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)