smiley73's Blog

Please reference Maria's Blog http://community.myfoxboston.com/blogs/Maria_Stephanos
/2008/10/05/Thank_YOU

One blogger very tactfully (pardon my sarcasm) expressed how they felt Fox wouldn't give "their" cause it's due publicity and rank of importance as it did JDRF as it may not be politically correct?

I'm sorry but to me there IS a difference, a HUGE difference.  One's belief vs. Illness? I'm sorry how do I debate this? 

Raise money to educate others on my beliefs in the hopes to persuade them to think like me Vs.  Raise money to help sick children/people battle illness and perhaps live a healthy life, prevent serious complications, etc.?  My money and time is on the sick people, sorry.

Everyone is entitled to promote their cause but to make a DIG at Fox about helping out JDRF and not them especially on a thank you blog? Um, not cool, not cool at all....

ps. For the record, the cause the blogger was referring to I am in TOTAL agreement with..

~smiley........

 

You may have heard the ads running on Fox or seen the link on their page, this Saturday is the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes!  Each year our team, Justin G's Mighty Walkers, walks in honor of my son, Justin who is now 12. 

He was diagnosed at the tender age of 6 and since then has endured over nearly 18,000 finger sticks, thousands of insulin injections, and lives with the fear of the potential health related complications that come from this horrible illness

Due to economic times, our team has not been able to reach our goal! Although a bit disappointing, we know EVERY dollar matters!  Would you be willing to support our team? Whether it's $5.00 or more, each and every dollar will bring Justin and EVERY other child suffering with Juvenile Diabetes that much closer to a cure!

Here's our link if you'd like to make an online donation: www.justingmightywalkers.sampasite.com

Or Mail a check directly made payable to JDRF and put in Memo for Justin G's Mighty Walkers!

JDRF\60 Walnut Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481

We appreciate your support! ~smiley..............

Hey Guys!

Thought Id ask my fellow bloggers. I am in need of new Team Shirts for the Walk to Cure Diabetes.  I am on a tight budget so I need to get them custom but cheap?  Anyone have any connections?? Thanks for your help!!

~smiley

Let's see John Edwards had an affair, ok....Brittney Spears lets her toddler play with cigarettes, ok...John Kerry posed with some questionable young women, ok....Did I mention Brittney Spears' toddler plays with matches too?  And THIS gets so much media attention?  I guess to some degree we are all intrigued by those in the public eye, I too am not going deny it.  However, the amount of media attention it gets is WAY more than due!

I am not blaming Fox, please don't get me wrong.  You guys cover LOTS of great stories and let's be real if the other stations are airing gossip, you must too!  I am just saddened that THIS is what the public really wants to hear and not what needs to be heard!

I wish my son's illness got a fraction of airtime that this nonsense gets!  Juvenile Diabetes ever heard of it?  My son suffers EVERY minute of EVERY day with this horrible, potentially life-threatening illness yet we spend DAYS talking about the affair John Edwards had on his wife! Honestly I don't care if he slept with the entire campaign staff!!

This isn't a lash-out at Fox by ANY means .. in fact, Fox did a story on my son nearly 3 years ago that I was GRATEFUL they allowed me to share.  This is sort of a cry out to our community and nationally. Why is it that we care so much about what the stars eat for breakfast? Or what our Senator drank at a party?  Yet we may hear briefly about stories and real life situations that truly effect those around us?

It's just sad. The End.  If anyone is interested though, here's my website:

www.justingmightywalkers.sampasite.com

~cranky smiley tonight......

Blackberry, Ipod, laptop, etc. Yes, I have them all.  I am easily reached via phone, txt, email, or IM.  I mean honestly, if I missed that call or email what on earth would I do??You'd think I was super important (hmm, a big notsomuch)..but I carry on daily as if I were! 

I never realized how ADDICTED I am to technology.  My kids computer recently had internet connection issues and I didn't rush to fix it, heck they're kids they don't "NEED" it! Then a few days later, my laptop started acting up and I couldn't get on the internet or access my files.  Houston, we have a problem, A BIG PROBLEM.  Seriously, I was nearly hyperventilating (no exaggeration there).  I felt my eyes fill up as if I'd lost my best friend! 

At my next available moment, today promptly at 11:05, I entered the Apple store, laptop in hand begging the Genius at the Genius bar to get me up & running.  As I eagerly await my laptop's fate, I'm thinking to myself, What a LOSER!  How did I get myself in this situation.  I'm stressed beyond explanation because my children's life's photos are stuck on a laptop that may never work (and not previously backed up.. stupid) , I've been w/out my email for gee, what 48 hrs and what will I do if this cannot be fixed.

I guess it taught me a few things. Life will STILL go on if I can't check my email, blog, be connected to the WWW for 48hrs .. imagine that?? :)

sidenote: bought external hard drive, was able to have photos and itunes backed up and for an additional $300+ my laptop should be able to be fixed and back in working order in roughly 2 weeks...in the meantime, fixed my kids computer (how quickly that became a priority!)

I KNOW I cannot be the only tech addict out there .. tell me your story so I don't feel so bad! ~ smiley : )

You know that saying never judge a book by it's cover? Here's a PERFECT example of it!  
I recently went to grab my daily dose of java and had my 12 year old son with me.  I ordered my usual (although this wasn't my usual establishment) and my son begged me for a donut.  I hesitate as he has type 1 diabetes.  It doesn't mean he can't EVER have sweets or high carb foods, its just limited.  I knew he was going to have an active day so I let him (you should have seen the grin of excitement .. kinda sad that this is what brings any child such joy). 
I ordered and asked the barista (hmm give a hint to where I was) if he would provide me the carb info.  He rolled his eyes at me and said, no I don't have it.  I questioned again as I have received carb info before he sighed, slammed his pen and ran over to the conveniently placed blue binder with ALL the carb/nutrition info in it! He then proceeded to say to another barista SHE needs CARB info .. He came over, told me the info and I smiled warmly, said thank you then very sarcasticly said .. IM NOT ON ATKINS OR SOUTH BEACH YOU KNOW, MY LITTLE BOY HAS DIABETES!!!!!  Smiled warmly again, and left!  
I get looks all the time when my son will ask someone if they know the carb info as if I have him on an Atkins or South Beach Diet.  People shouldn't judge people.  Lesson I learned before I was even in grade school .. something I feel so many of this generation have missed......thanks for letting me share!   smiley......

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend!  I definately did! I was able to enjoy some lazy time by the pool, jacuzzi,  bbqs, fireworks, boat rides on Lake Winnipesaukee, and smores by the campfire....
There was a sizable crowd sitting around the fire pit last night with the entire oversized deck laced w/torch lights, everyone enjoying making smores, cooler full of 'adult beverages' all  while underneath the most amazing star lit sky...  (oh and let's not forget the hot tub we all enjoyed too) .. it was just a total blast!!!
However, I blog about this because it wasn't the above that will stick out in my mind of my July 4th 08 weekend but that of a conversation!!  I was privileged to be joined by a soldier who recently got home from Afganastan, just a few weeks ago! At one point I turned to him and said pardon my ignorance but can you explain what it was like over there?  His stories captivated me and the others.  Although he wasn't a 'trigger puller' as he referred to them, he was always in danger.   His life for the last 18 months was less than desirable while all our lives here carried on, remaining as is.  I never really sat w/a soldier and listened to their stories, their life as they knew it and although I always did appreciate what all the men & women do for us, I definately have a new appreciation!!
I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend as I'm sure many of you did too.  None of us would be able to enjoy our freedom if it weren't for brave amazing people, like Nick, and the many other men & women who endanger themselves daily.  Thank you to all of you and your family members too that allow me and my children to live our lives as we do........~smiley

Nope, you read that right it does say Happy Father's Day, MOM!  Growing up in a single parent household, my mom wore many hats.  At times, she had to take on the role as a father and a mother.  
I always admired my mom for her strength, her selflessness, her warmth, and being the 'man of the house' when it was called for.  I think I was about 16 the first time I wished her a Happy Father's Day.  She gave me this very puzzled look and smiled.  It was at that moment that she realized that I realized all that she does for me and my siblings!!   I have EVERY year since wished her a Happy Father's Day.  
I'd like to wish all the single moms out there who have a to wear the dad had too and to all the amazing father's out there (and I know there are many) who cherish their children and look forward to today with their kids!!

:)smiley

I am probably one of the most optimistic people most of my family and friends know however, I am head strong enough to know when to be realistic too.  
Today I was sitting at my 86 year old grandmother's bedside at Mass General when I realized I need to put my head strong mind to work.  She's very ill and has a menu of medical issues.  She appears like she's suffering.  She's been unresponsive for days after being sedated 10 days prior.  Our family has to decide in the next week whether to put a feeding tube in her stomach and if we don't ultimately, she'll die.
When she was coherent a few weeks back, she was against the tube and refused any such procedure.  Some of our family members want to do the procedure to keep her alive and I feel like we'd just be prolonging the inevitable. 
I struggle with this as I know if we don't it's ultimately going to result in her passing, but I can't bare to go against her wishes and to watch her every day in this state for my own selfishness in not wanting to say goodbye.
Have any of you ever been faced with such a decision?
A very sad smiley : (

I think my title speaks for itself!  Im angry.  I watched my 11 year old diabetic suffer a sugar low today. He felt lousy!  He said I can't wait for a cure mom!  I thought, me too. But will we see it? What benefit would there be if a cure for Juvenile Diabetes were found?  Or a cure for Cancer? Arthritis, etc?  BILLIONS of dollars would be lost because we wouldn't need treatment centers, meds or machines, thousands would be out of a job, etc.  
Do you think cures are available and just not being implemented to save our economy?  ~smiley

These gas prices are soaring.  No news there!  I was disgusted today when it cost me $40 to fill my car that I used to easily fill around $29! That is a HUGE price increase!  Not to mention that I drive alot ... so fill ups at $40 a pop are killing me, as Im sure it is all of you, especially those with large SUVs/Trucks!So I decided this week I need to start pumping my own gas!  Ok hear me out .. Im no snob, I just HATE the smell of gas and touching the pumps. Up until now, I would go and pay whatever to avoid having to do it.  I cannot believe I have had to do this, but at these prices, I just had to! So I am saving a few dollars there and buying myself an extra gallon! How sad is that.  Also got a coupon in the mail today for Shell for $2.00 off 10 gallons.  Ill be honest, I couldn't be bothered in the past to cut it out .. drive to a shell for $2.00 but this is what the times have brought me to!  What have YOU done to help cut costs? 

Nurse? Nurse? Nurse? PLEASE HELP ME .. she cried.  That she would be my 86 year old grandmother who is recovering in a local rehab facility.  I hear her faint cries as Im briskly walking down the hallway balancing her Dunkin Donuts coffee!
She said she needed help and no one came.  I asked why she didn't push her call light, well it was well positioned on the opposite side of the bed no where near where she could reach.  If this had been the first time, you'd say we all make mistakes, this was the 5th or 6th time that she was not given the call light.   
She called to ask someone to take her to the bathroom and no one came and she was left to demoralize herself and go in bed, sobbing no one cares.  
She's had issues where she is supposed to be in a chair for her meals due to her swallowing issues (which is why she is there) and we've found her leaning somewhat upright in her bed trying to feed.  
I tested today while I was there and called the call button to see how long it would take for someone to notice she needed something. Can you guess how long?  27 minutes.. you got that right nearly ONE HALF HOUR.  You tell me if she was having chest pain or choking on her food what the result of ignoring that call light would have been.  Im thinking as I write this that she isn't demanding.  She is expecting the care that she needs and deserves and that they are being negligent on her care.  Has anyone ever experienced this situation and how do you handle?  PS Fox there's an idea for a story eh? Ugh , Im disgusted!A not so smiley...   : (

My daughter and I took part in the March of Dimes, March for Babies walk in Boston today.  I joined a team last year in a quest for raising money to help the lives of those who are born premature.  The outlook for preemies now is far greater than years past.  My daughter Sara, who just turned 10, was born 11 weeks premature, a 29 weeker, tipping the scale just over 2lbs (imagine those 1lb dumbells at the gym, take two, there she was!).  She and I are lucky to have survived her birth.  Without technology, she definately wouldn't have made it!  There are many causes of premature births.  For us, it was a placenta abruption which 85% of the time results in fetal death, that was 10 years ago though.  Okay enough sounding morbid. This walk was a reminder of how lucky she and I are.  Actually our whole family is.  She brings so much love and joy and completion to our family.  Without funding and research, our family may have missed out on an amazing little angel!  For more information on premature babies, or if you want to find out how you could help a tiny miracle, http://www.marchofdimes.com.~smiley

Ok so you are getting ready to go on vacation, you are at the airport and you need your ID ready at all times PROVING it is YOU flying on their airplanes.  You are checked, re-checked, triple checked, etc. you are who you say you are.  Then tell me this.  How is it that you can go before a judge, in a courtroom, legalizing and finalizing a divorce, a LIFE ALTERING event, enter into a  binding agreement and not once are you asked to provide proof of who you are?
I was FLOORED today when I appeared for my divorce hearing.  My ex and I (who arrived together and are very amicable), sat amongst 6 or so other couples to finalize their divorce. They call your name, you go up to the judge and state your name, raise your right hand, and that's it!  Never once showing any proof of identification.  I don't know who, if anyone, would pose as someone else for a hearing but just thought it was so odd.  Also, to get a hearing in Massachusetts, if there are children involved, you must register for a Parents Apart parenting class.  Again, no ID required. I could have sent someone in my place and they would have never been the wiser (which btw, anyone who knows me knows I could never do such a thing but there are those who would!!).
Anyone else find this odd?  My friend told me she didn't think it was a big deal and perhaps it isn't.  But in today's day in age where you can't buy a scratch ticket without proving you are of age,  you'd think that you should prove to the courts that you are who you say you are, no?
~smiley

Attn:Fox Tech Support???
I no longer have the email I had when I joined the blogs and cant seem to locate a place to change it.  Please let me know how to do this. Thanks!
ps... I would love to see blogs on Health/Fitness???
Smiley